Pandemic fatigue is hitting the workplace; and despite the holiday break that many enjoyed, people may still be feeling tired, listless, and unmotivated. As a result, procrastination may be on the rise. A few steps can help you re-energize staff and get them moving again:
- Recognize the problem. Understand the reasons people may be procrastinating. These might include shifting priorities, newly introduced processes, the desire to avoid unpleasant tasks, and fear of failure. During the pandemic, concerns about safety also may cause people to put off tasks or projects.
- Don’t procrastinate in addressing procrastination. Don’t wait to address the problem. As soon as you see it, do something. Work with the employee to create to-do lists, timelines, and schedules. Make these easily implemented into the regular workflow. If possible, avoid creating additional steps.
- Create accountability. Make sure that there are implications if the employee misses deadlines or skips tasks and that he/she understands these. The key to correcting this bad habit is to accept that its negative and implement structure and accountability.
