How we change what others think, feel, believe and do

Procrastinating

Techniques > Conversation techniques > Closing the conversation > Procrastinating

Description | Example | Discussion | See also

Description

Refuse to discuss things now. Put them off to another time.

The best procrastination puts things off indefinitely, but to get agreement, you may need to put a definite time on when to resume the topic.

You can soften this by recognizing how important the topic is and using this as an excuse to put things off until you have a better setting or more time.

Example

Can we talk about this another time?

I'm not really in the mood now -- let's discuss it tomorrow.

This needs quality time, which we don't have now. Can you check my diary and book a meeting.

I'm going to have to put this off until next month.

Discussion

Putting things off is not the same as refusing to to ever talk about something. It does provide, however, a good excuse for not talking about something right now.

If you recognize that it is important, then rescheduling another time to talk can be quite flattering.