[For the article Procrastination: How to stay on the sofa as long as you like]
Steven called me, needing to complete the first draft of an important contract, but procrastinating way past the end of his patience. This is how the conversation went (edited for brevity):
Me: What objective is this task supporting?
Steve: Getting us new business, letting us start work.
Me: What does not writing the contract protect you from?
Steve: (after thinking for a moment) I know it sounds odd, but it’s protecting me from success.
Me: Can you expand on that?
Steve: Well… I’m worried that if this contract is accepted, I won’t be able to deliver a quality product to my client.
Me: And what would make it safe to write the contract, even though you are worried that you won’t be able to deliver a quality product to your client?
Steve: Having more support – I don’t have the resources, because my partner is working on another project, and I don’t have time to supervise our new techie.
Me: Do you know what you can do to resolve this issue?
Steve: Yes, we can…[discussion of options]
Me: What would make it safe to write the contract, knowing that you need to resolve certain resource issues?
Steve: I would need to talk to my business partners seriously about the whole resourcing issue and insist that they contribute to the contract drafting – that it isn’t just me, we’re all in on it. [discussion of this issue].
Me: And what would make it fantastic to complete this contract?
Steve: Well, it’s all about building a relationship with this new client – if we get this right, the expansion potential is enormous [describes the opportunities].
Me: How do you feel about writing this contract now?
Steve: Yes, I think I can do it now. I think I can finish the first draft by tonight, and present to to them as a starting point for discussion.
Me: And you’ll email me to let me know?
Steve emailed me that night, saying that the first draft was written, ready for presentation.
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