Expenses, appraisals, bureaucracy, form filling etc.

Excellent! Three of my favourite subjects all in one blog. I would put off replying but I have an urge to jot something down.

I've known people not claim their expenses until it was absolutely necessary, i.e. their boss insisted or the bank account was looking a bit sad. I was the same in the corporate environment and eventually had to diary time to do the expenses just to make sure. Even now that I'm self-employed I struggle with it. The only real motivator now is that it will offset the tax. Still, when putting expenses onto an invoice, there's a real sense of satisfaction in knowing that the money comes back at least reasonably quickly...

Appraisals - there's a subject to chew on. One person's objective view of another, typically written in haste if written at all. I've had the pleasure of seeing thirty people get the 'cut and paste' appraisal with only the names changed to protect the indolent. There's always the alternative of writing your own. This can be fun. At least you get the recognition you're due for all the work you've done that may have gone unnoticed by your boss. The main problem with writing your own though is that most people mark themselves down (with one notable exception of someone who consistently marked himself up beyond all belief). And then there are leveling exercises where your carefully worked out ratings for your team are destroyed in the cause of mediocrity. You know the story - people can't possibly get the top rating as that would mean they should be doing your job. And you don't want to give someone a low rating because that suggests you might have to pursue a performance improvement process of some sort... Ah, me!

So to procrastination. If you're putting off something because it's too scary to contemplate, think about the first little thing that would get you moving and do that. Then the next little thing and so on. Before you know it, the job will be done and you'll wonder what you were worried about. Mind you, if it weren't for procrastination, we life and business coaches would have a little less to do, I'm sure. Still putting something off? Give me a call (01403 738967) and I'm sure I can assist you to overcome your block. Don't hesitate! Remember, you snooze, you lose.

All the best,

Simon
Real Performance Plus