In a world filled with deadlines, commitments, and expectations, it's essential to learn the art of delay-the-discussion. This is a collection of techniques for stalling, sidetracking, and otherwise delaying any conversation that's about to derail your afternoon.
When faced with a pressing question or issue, simply nod and say "let me just check on that." Grab your phone or computer and pretend to scroll through some imaginary emails, messages, or documents. The longer you pretend, the more convincing you'll be.
Learn more about Technique #1When someone asks you to discuss a topic, simply put on a fake phone call, usually while holding a real phone with a fake number dialed in the background. You can also use this opportunity to "answer" some important-sounding calls, like "Ah, sorry, I'm on a call with my lawyer."
Learn more about Technique #2Claim you have a pressing deadline, like "I'm on a deadline for a project" or "I have to finish this report by the end of the day." The more dramatic, the better. You can even create a fake deadline for yourself, like "I have to finish this project by tomorrow," even if it's not true.
Learn more about Technique #3And that's all the time we have for today's lesson. Don't forget to practice your delay-the-discussion techniques, and always remember: the art of procrastination is a skill that takes time to master.
Want to learn more techniques? Visit our more delay-the-discussion techniques page