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"If and When were planted, and Nothing grew." Author Unknown

Susan's phone call: I saw your ad in The San Diego Reader and I need to get a resume as soon as possible. I was talking to a friend of mine last night and he told me about a job opening at his company. I need a resume right away! How long will it take to get it finished?

Stan's phone call: A friend of mine suggested I give you a call. I'm really fed up with my job and I guess I better get a resume put together so I can get out of this place. What do you need from me? Do I have to do this in person? Or can I email you?

Pete's phone call: I probably should get my resume together. I've heard a lot of rumors floating around and maybe my company is going under or downsizing. How much does a resume cost?

Susan, Stan and Pete are all clients with different backgrounds, different anxieties, different skills and different goals, but they all came to me for the same reason. Regardless of what initiated their call, they each needed a resume.

But they have another thing in common. They are all major procrastinators.

Susan made several appointments. And, true to form, she changed the appointment day or time at least three times. We finally got her resume together although she did miss out on the original job her friend had encouraged her to apply for.

Stan had a phenomenal personality, an incredible background and unique, marketable skills. He was under employed at his present position, but was "comfortable." Hanging in there and stalling were easy for him. Shaking up his world was somewhat scary.

Pete proceeded to call me with a question or two every week or so. This continued every week for about four months! We discussed the job market. He asked about my background. Asked about how long an appointment would take. Asked for directions to my office. Asked for my e-mail address. Asked about the technical aspects of e-mailing resumes. Everything except actually making a concrete appointment. I think he's actually "ready" and scheduled for an appointment next week. Hmmm! Want to place any bets?

I encouraged each of these clients to start the daunting task of completing their goal. One step at a time. As obvious as it seems, the best way to get something done is ---- to begin!

For some, procrastination is almost a fear of success. Most people, regardless of whether or not they might consider themselves procrastinators, look at resume preparation as a chore, certainly not a fun activity. Getting the resume off the "To Do List" elicits reactions of anything from a sigh of relief to beaming with sheer exhilaration.

After we've got the resume completed, the reminder comes. The only thing scarier than NOT having a resume, is now having one and getting out there and doing something with it!

But then someone once told me, "It isn't procrastination if you put it off right away!"

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