It drives me crazy! People are forever procrastinating. For those who don’t know me personally, I am the anal-retentive organized one. I plan ahead. I make lists. I get stuff done. Typically, if I say I am going to get back to you on a certain date, I do. If I say I will meet you somewhere, I will be there. If I am going to provide you with some information, I get it to you by the deadline or earlier. Sure, there are exceptions, but they are just that—exceptions—not the norm. (I missed a really important meeting in Toronto during the summer – crossed wires about the actual meeting – and was I embarrassed as he sat there waiting for me! It happens, I screw up, but it is the exception.)

I work with some pretty amazing people. They promise to get me information to do their IAV and get it to me on time. Others get back to me to book appointments. Then we move business forward for them. I am really pretty lucky in this scenario, but there are still the few—the disorganized and the procrastinators. The worst part is that they always have an excuse and it was not their fault! You know them. They work in the office with you.

These are some of the responses I have heard in the last few weeks.

1. I had other priorities (and supposedly, this is their #1 job priority!).
2. So-and-so never got me the information I needed.
3. I never got your voicemail.
4. I will have it to you this week for sure (and, you know, I am still asking the following week).
5. I was off sick.
6. I had a family emergency.
7. I left the information at home where I was working on it on the weekend (and it is now Thursday).
8. I had a computer glitch.
9. Your messages must have gone to my junk mail. I will check later today.
10. I had to go on holidays (had to? makes it sound unplanned!).

All these responses would probably be legit if they came from ten different people, but when they all come from two people in the last week or two, it is time to start thinking about whether they are in the right role. I wonder how they deal with clients!

All I have to say is “Get it done.” There was an ad in the local newspaper for a realtor. It said, “There are seven days in a week and ‘someday’ is not one of them.” I like that motto! Or as Nike says “Just Do It!”

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