12 answers
Summer
Student
England, England
1
Question
Asked
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How to turn my weakness into one of my strengths?
I'm kind of a procrastinator but I always do my work as the last moment.i work better under pressure because I focus more on those type of moments
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12 answers
Amen Siddiqui
sales associate
1
Answer
Missouri City, Texas
Updated
Amen’s Answer
To beat procrastination, try breaking tasks into smaller, manageable steps, setting clear goals and deadlines to keep yourself on track, managing your time wisely, minimizing distractions, finding what motivates you, being kind to yourself when things don't go as planned, and reaching out for support when you need it. These steps can help you stay focused, motivated, and moving forward toward your goals, just like having a helpful friend cheering you on along the way.
Teaira Murph
2
Answers
Auburn, Alabama
Updated
Teaira’s Answer
I was a big procrastinator. In order to overcome being a procrastinator is to just do it at the very moment you're thinking about it. If you do it right then you'll start to see a huge difference. Imagine doing something when you think about not doing it. You have so much time to correct whatever it is you need and you don't feel so overwhelmed with what it is you need to get done. That leaves so much time for other things to get done. It has been a life changer for me. Let me know how it goes. Best wishes.
Ellie Ostroff
Technology Sales
4
Answers
San Diego, California
Updated
Ellie’s Answer
The first step involves gaining a deep insight into your strengths and areas that need improvement. After pinpointing your biggest area of weakness, strive to understand the reasons behind it and how it shapes you. Focus on harnessing the positive aspects of these traits while working on the negative ones. By being aware and actively seeking the reasons behind your actions, you can transform your major setbacks into your most valuable strengths.
Maht Chadry
Learning Designer
4
Answers
Madrid, Community of Madrid, Spain
Updated
Maht’s Answer
Hi Summer! I can definitely relate as I have time dyslexia, so if I have a deadline, I overestimate how much time I have to do something (often until it's too late).
To hack this, I start a task the SECOND I am assigned it. That momentum helps me complete it sooner rather than (much) later.
Take pride in the fact that this trait usually indicates an excellent ability to work under pressure, so that's certainly something you can leverage in your job applications (perhaps with plenty of evidence to boot)-
A final tip is to work with someone who is the opposite (someone who can get the ground running but may not be good at finishing something). You'll find that you can help each other very well.
To hack this, I start a task the SECOND I am assigned it. That momentum helps me complete it sooner rather than (much) later.
Take pride in the fact that this trait usually indicates an excellent ability to work under pressure, so that's certainly something you can leverage in your job applications (perhaps with plenty of evidence to boot)-
A final tip is to work with someone who is the opposite (someone who can get the ground running but may not be good at finishing something). You'll find that you can help each other very well.
James Harris
Airmen
13
Answers
Cleveland, Ohio
Updated
James’s Answer
Pose this question to yourself: "What makes me procrastinate?" Identifying the real reason behind your delay can help you apply effective time management techniques. However, understanding the root cause of your procrastination is crucial for you to adhere to these techniques. Let's be real, many individuals perform well under pressure, but not everyone leaves tasks until the last minute to get them done.
Michael J
IT Business Analyst
6
Answers
Chicago, Illinois
Updated
Michael’s Answer
The advice about diving straight into a task as soon as it crosses your mind is spot on. Don't pause to ponder if you feel like doing it, as procrastination often stems from issues tied to motivation, rewards, dopamine, and stress. Let's say you have to complete and send a spreadsheet to a colleague or classmate by morning. As soon as you step in the door, fire up your laptop or head to your computer and get cracking. Any form of distraction could potentially delay you and provide more excuses to procrastinate.
I also want to reinforce what others have suggested about keeping yourself busy with enough tasks that you simply can't afford to procrastinate.
Finally, it's worth acknowledging that sometimes, we're just not that excited about the task at hand. If you find yourself consistently stuck with tasks that don't spark joy, it's time to dig deep and identify what truly motivates and interests you. This could be a way of avoiding stress.
Seeking guidance from a counselor can be incredibly helpful in understanding the root cause of this behavior and equipping you for success in the long run, as it can be more challenging to break old habits as you grow older. Wishing you all the best on your journey!
I also want to reinforce what others have suggested about keeping yourself busy with enough tasks that you simply can't afford to procrastinate.
Finally, it's worth acknowledging that sometimes, we're just not that excited about the task at hand. If you find yourself consistently stuck with tasks that don't spark joy, it's time to dig deep and identify what truly motivates and interests you. This could be a way of avoiding stress.
Seeking guidance from a counselor can be incredibly helpful in understanding the root cause of this behavior and equipping you for success in the long run, as it can be more challenging to break old habits as you grow older. Wishing you all the best on your journey!
James Constantine Frangos
Consultant Dietitian & Software Developer since 1972 => Nutrition Education => Health & Longevity => Self-Actualization.
6182
Answers
Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
Updated
James Constantine’s Answer
Greetings, Summer!
EMBRACE ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE - IT'S A TIME-SAVER
Transforming Procrastination into Power:
Procrastination is a common hurdle for many, but it can be harnessed as a strength if you're someone who thrives under pressure. Here are some practical steps to turn procrastination into a career-boosting asset:
Unravel Your Procrastination Patterns: Begin by figuring out why you procrastinate. Is it because you're overwhelmed, unmotivated, afraid of failing, or do you just love the thrill of working under pressure? Knowing why you procrastinate can help you tackle it more effectively.
Establish Achievable Deadlines: Rather than waiting until the last moment to begin your tasks, consider setting earlier deadlines for yourself. This can instill a sense of urgency without the panic of last-minute rush.
Segment Tasks into Bite-Sized Pieces: Break your projects into smaller, manageable tasks, each with its own deadline. This strategy can make the total workload appear less intimidating and stop you from delaying tasks.
Foster a Productive Environment: Pinpoint the settings or conditions that help you concentrate best and remove distractions that fuel your procrastination. This might mean setting up a dedicated workspace, using productivity tools, or creating a routine that suits you.
Adopt Time Management Methods: Discover various time management techniques like the Pomodoro Technique, Eisenhower Matrix, or task prioritization methods to boost your efficiency and productivity.
Promote Accountability: Share your goals and deadlines with someone who can hold you accountable for finishing them on time. This external accountability can inspire you to stay focused and resist procrastination.
Celebrate Your Success: Commend small wins and reward yourself for achieving milestones or finishing tasks ahead of schedule. Positive reinforcement can encourage productive behavior and curb the urge to procrastinate.
By applying these tactics and capitalizing on your ability to excel under pressure, you can morph procrastination from a drawback into a strength that bolsters your performance in your tech industry career.
Top 3 Credible Sources Consulted:
Harvard Business Review
Psychology Today
Forbes
STAY BLESSED!
James Constantine Frangos.
EMBRACE ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE - IT'S A TIME-SAVER
Transforming Procrastination into Power:
Procrastination is a common hurdle for many, but it can be harnessed as a strength if you're someone who thrives under pressure. Here are some practical steps to turn procrastination into a career-boosting asset:
Unravel Your Procrastination Patterns: Begin by figuring out why you procrastinate. Is it because you're overwhelmed, unmotivated, afraid of failing, or do you just love the thrill of working under pressure? Knowing why you procrastinate can help you tackle it more effectively.
Establish Achievable Deadlines: Rather than waiting until the last moment to begin your tasks, consider setting earlier deadlines for yourself. This can instill a sense of urgency without the panic of last-minute rush.
Segment Tasks into Bite-Sized Pieces: Break your projects into smaller, manageable tasks, each with its own deadline. This strategy can make the total workload appear less intimidating and stop you from delaying tasks.
Foster a Productive Environment: Pinpoint the settings or conditions that help you concentrate best and remove distractions that fuel your procrastination. This might mean setting up a dedicated workspace, using productivity tools, or creating a routine that suits you.
Adopt Time Management Methods: Discover various time management techniques like the Pomodoro Technique, Eisenhower Matrix, or task prioritization methods to boost your efficiency and productivity.
Promote Accountability: Share your goals and deadlines with someone who can hold you accountable for finishing them on time. This external accountability can inspire you to stay focused and resist procrastination.
Celebrate Your Success: Commend small wins and reward yourself for achieving milestones or finishing tasks ahead of schedule. Positive reinforcement can encourage productive behavior and curb the urge to procrastinate.
By applying these tactics and capitalizing on your ability to excel under pressure, you can morph procrastination from a drawback into a strength that bolsters your performance in your tech industry career.
Top 3 Credible Sources Consulted:
Harvard Business Review
Psychology Today
Forbes
STAY BLESSED!
James Constantine Frangos.
Jessica Gegner
Change Partner Senior
80
Answers
Cincinnati, Ohio
Updated
Jessica’s Answer
I've always been a procrastinator, too. What's good is that one of your strengths should already be the ability to work well and deliver under pressure. A way to help break out of waiting until the last minute, however, is to give yourself an earlier personal deadline to complete your work with a reward built into it. For example, if you have a research paper due in five weeks, give yourself a deadline to complete it in four weeks and, when you finish it, have a get-together planned with friends. Make it some sort of event with activities you enjoy that will take up a lot of your free time, so, when you complete your paper early, you get to feel the satisfaction of not having the thought of the paper you need to complete at the back of your mind. You can enjoy your event completely carefree. Then, the day before your paper is due, do a final review of your paper and complete any tweaks you feel you may need to make since you already have the skills to deliver on short notice and work under pressure. This should feel like a breeze and allow you to refresh yourself on the work you completed to ensure the quality is at the level with which you're happy. The more you're able to do this and feel the satisfaction of getting to enjoy more of your free time carefree should help you break out of the tendency to procrastinate. Good luck!
Michael Varteresian
Software Architect
5
Answers
Lexington, Massachusetts
Updated
Michael’s Answer
I am not a usually a procrastinator. I have learned that that I do my best work when get started, let the work sit for a day or two, review what I did and build on it. However, there are some papers that I get nervous about an I will let those go until the last minute! Unlike you, that does not end well for me. When that happens, I find that it is helpful to get started with a section of the paper that seems easiest. I do not worry about the whole paper. For example, if you are writing about a book, there may be one area that is easy for you to write about. It does not matter if it is an important area. Once I get started, sometimes I just jeep going. On the other hand, I am very close to someone who is a complete procrastinator. They always start papers at the last minute and stay up all night writing them but they always do a good job. It looks very stressful to me but that seems to be the way their mind works best. They are able to relax the next day and be happy. I would feel stressed and guilty for days after. If you worry about the fact that you are procrastinating for days before the paper is due then I think you should try to find a way to get started earlier but there are all types of people. Understanding how you work is the most import thing.
Jeff Sloan
Software engineer - firmware Retired
103
Answers
Updated
Jeff’s Answer
Hi Summer,
You've taken the most important step by figuring out and admitting to yourself your shortcoming. I, too, am a procrastinator and work best under pressure of deadlines.
In my case, a career in high-tech gave me lots of deadlines and time crunches so I rarely had the time to back off and procrastinate! However, I always tried to break every task down into the smallest components possible. Then, assign tight deadlines to each task. For example, if you have a paper due in six weeks, break it down into separate chapters. If you have five chapters, set a due date for each one of a week. The last week will be to integrate and tweak.. Even better, give yourself an extra week at the end, so set your overall goal at five weeks and you have a buffer if needed.
Definitely use a calendar to set up each of the mini-goals and check it daily so nothing slips through the cracks. Don't give yourself any spare time. If the chapter will actually take you three days to complete, don't give yourself a week. It is too easy to blow it off! Been there, done that!
Keep working on it and you will get better! And, good for you for understanding and working on it!
Jeff
You've taken the most important step by figuring out and admitting to yourself your shortcoming. I, too, am a procrastinator and work best under pressure of deadlines.
In my case, a career in high-tech gave me lots of deadlines and time crunches so I rarely had the time to back off and procrastinate! However, I always tried to break every task down into the smallest components possible. Then, assign tight deadlines to each task. For example, if you have a paper due in six weeks, break it down into separate chapters. If you have five chapters, set a due date for each one of a week. The last week will be to integrate and tweak.. Even better, give yourself an extra week at the end, so set your overall goal at five weeks and you have a buffer if needed.
Definitely use a calendar to set up each of the mini-goals and check it daily so nothing slips through the cracks. Don't give yourself any spare time. If the chapter will actually take you three days to complete, don't give yourself a week. It is too easy to blow it off! Been there, done that!
Keep working on it and you will get better! And, good for you for understanding and working on it!
Jeff
Karen Kitchel
Community Volunteer
344
Answers
Saint Paul, Minnesota
Updated
Karen’s Answer
Good that you know how and when you work best. As long as you allow yourself enough time to finish your projects, you can plan them for when you're at your best feeling confident they will be well done.
With every good wish.
With every good wish.
Jon Devaney
Procurement Manager
3
Answers
London, England, United Kingdom
Updated
Jon’s Answer
Hello Summer,
This is a great question and a great thing to dive into deeper. So much to say here.
- You've described a certain trait as a weakness, specifically the tendency to do things at the last minute. However, this can also be viewed as a strength. The ability to perform well under pressure, adapt to changes, and maintain high quality work are all highly valuable skills.
- Also note just how many very successful people in the answers work with the same default setting. I won't say whether I'm successful or not, but I do very strongly have this tendency!
A few things to think about doing here:
- I've noticed that I tend to procrastinate more when I'm faced with a broad range of options or a large, vague task. If you find your mind drifting in such situations, try breaking the task down into smaller, manageable steps. Concentrate on completing one step at a time, rather than tackling the entire task at once. This approach often works better for me than the "just do it" advice. If you're seeking a structured method to manage tasks, David Allen's "Getting Things Done" provides a detailed (though somewhat obsessive) framework that has proven helpful for many.
- Consider career paths that leverage your strengths and involve a lot of reactive work, eliminating the need for you to constantly decide what to do next. I spent several years in Manufacturing Operations, where the ability to respond to fluctuating customer demand was crucial. In this context, being a bit "last minute" was actually an asset! However, planning is also essential in this field, so I learned various techniques to ensure I carried out more proactive work. These included creating TO DO lists, setting calendar reminders, and establishing documented repeatable processes. These are all simple, yet effective strategies.
This is a great question and a great thing to dive into deeper. So much to say here.
- You've described a certain trait as a weakness, specifically the tendency to do things at the last minute. However, this can also be viewed as a strength. The ability to perform well under pressure, adapt to changes, and maintain high quality work are all highly valuable skills.
- Also note just how many very successful people in the answers work with the same default setting. I won't say whether I'm successful or not, but I do very strongly have this tendency!
A few things to think about doing here:
- I've noticed that I tend to procrastinate more when I'm faced with a broad range of options or a large, vague task. If you find your mind drifting in such situations, try breaking the task down into smaller, manageable steps. Concentrate on completing one step at a time, rather than tackling the entire task at once. This approach often works better for me than the "just do it" advice. If you're seeking a structured method to manage tasks, David Allen's "Getting Things Done" provides a detailed (though somewhat obsessive) framework that has proven helpful for many.
- Consider career paths that leverage your strengths and involve a lot of reactive work, eliminating the need for you to constantly decide what to do next. I spent several years in Manufacturing Operations, where the ability to respond to fluctuating customer demand was crucial. In this context, being a bit "last minute" was actually an asset! However, planning is also essential in this field, so I learned various techniques to ensure I carried out more proactive work. These included creating TO DO lists, setting calendar reminders, and establishing documented repeatable processes. These are all simple, yet effective strategies.