What Do You Do If You're Struggling With Procrastination in Risk Management?

We've all been there. That looming risk assessment report, the endless compliance checklists, the never-ending stream of potential hazards to identify and mitigate. It's enough to make even the most dedicated risk professional want to hit the snooze button on their metaphorical (or literal) risk management tasks.

But here's the thing: procrastination in risk management isn't just about feeling overwhelmed. It can have serious consequences, leaving your organization exposed and vulnerable. So, what can you do to overcome procrastination and become a risk management rockstar?

1. Identify the Causes

Before you can tackle procrastination, you need to understand why you're doing it. Here are some common culprits:

• Task overload: Feeling overwhelmed by the sheer volume of tasks, like mountains of risk assessments for the project.
• Lack of clarity: Uncertainty about deadlines, expectations, or the specific steps involved in a complex risk management process, such as environmental impact assessment for a subsea cable route.
• Fear of failure: Worrying about making mistakes or overlooking crucial risks during a safety hazard identification for a wind turbine installation.

Personal Experience: Based on my personal experience, I often found myself procrastinating when I felt overwhelmed by the large number of risk assessments I had to complete. However, I learned that breaking down those tasks into smaller, more manageable parts made a big difference in my productivity.

2. Break Down the Tasks

Don't try to swallow a complicated risk management project whole. Break it down into smaller, more manageable steps. Here's how to approach this for an offshore windfarm project:

• Phase 1: Identify all potential risk associated with construction, operation, and maintenance.
• Phase 2: Assess the likelihood and severity of each risk.
• Phase 3: Develop mitigation strategies to reduce the risk.
• Phase 4: Document the entire process and monitor the effectiveness of controls.

3. Use Positive Reinforcement

Reward yourself for completing tasks, no matter how small. Here are some examples:

• Finishing a risk identification checklist for a specific wind turbine component? Treat yourself to a coffee break!
• Completing a draft risk assessment for a phase of the cable laying process? Celebrate with a (responsible) post-work drink with a colleague!

Positive reinforcement helps train your brain to associate completing risk management tasks with positive feelings, making you more likely to stick with it.

Personal Experience: I used to celebrate completing a major risk management project by taking a long lunch break with a friend. It gave me something to look forward to and helped me stay motivated.

4. Seek Support and Accountability

Having someone to hold you accountable can be a powerful motivator. Here's how to find support in a risk management role:

• Talk to your manager(s) about your risk management goals and ask for regular check-ins on progress.
• Connect with a colleague in your department and create a risk management buddy system for mutual accountability.
• Join online communities or forums dedicated to risk management professionals for support and encouragement.

Personal Experience: Working with a risk management buddy in my department helped keep me accountable. We'd check in with each other regularly and share our progress. It made a big difference!

5. Change Your Mindset

Sometimes, procrastination stems from a negative view of risk management tasks. Here's how to reframe your thinking:

• Instead of focusing on the tedious aspects of filling out forms, see yourself as a proactive problem-solver.
• View risk management as a critical function that safeguards your organization's future, like ensuring the safety of workers during offshore construction or protecting the marine environment during cable installation.
• Shift your focus from voiding negative outcomes (failure, blame) to Achieving positive outcomes (security, preparedness)
• Stop fearing failure, focus on security & preparedness.
• Proactive risk management brings benefits: 1) Fewer disruptions (identify & fix issues before explode) 2) Better decisions (data-driven for informed choices) 3) Stronger reputation (shows responsibility & problem-solving) 4) More confidence (knowing you've protected the organization)
• See risk management as an opportunity: Solve a puzzle & build organizational resilience.
• Invest in the future stability & success of your company.
• Challenge negativity .. Replace "too complex" with "I can do this"
• Focus on past successes & start small,progress is key

Remember: You're not just filling out forms; you're playing a vital role in the success of your project.