Published: 26/08/2021 By Andrew Bailey
Over the years I have tried to recognise and avoid that tendency to procrastinate and avoid putting things off when I can just get on with them.I am a big fan of the book “Eat that Frog” which provides great ideas on making sure you deal with those things in life that you don’t want to do. Getting advice from someone about a problem is often one of those things that can easily be put off and there is always a reason to not do so. I often have meetings with directors where procrastination has caused serious difficulties and caused them unnecessary problems.
I remember meeting with a director of a building company who upon me entering the room immediately told me all about his problems including the sleepless nights, the strain it has caused on his personal life and how it impacts on his children. You could see the stress on his face and he explained to me that he had known where we are for a while and during the course of the previous six weeks he had driven past our office many times and thought that he needs to come in and get advice.
I will always listen to my clients for as long as it takes for them to fully understand the advice and to talk to them as I would expect to be dealt with. Many people fear getting advice and I think there is a responsibility to make sure that seeking professional advice is not intimidating and they are not being judged whatever the circumstances.
At the end of our meeting the client told me that he wished he had come to get advice far earlier. The end result for this particular client was very positive and I did not need to be engaged. Before he sought advice he had felt like his world was caving in and everything was falling apart.
He also advised that he felt that he would be able to sleep for the first time in a long time.
Eat that frog and get advice!