ller jobs, then you can see yourself making progress. List the individual steps and check off each step as it is completed.

4. Create artificial deadlines. Trick yourself into believing that things are due before they actually are due. Write the events in your calendar and, if necessary, set target dates for significant parts of the job.

5. Do first the things you don’t enjoy. Get out of the way those tasks that you just don’t enjoy. When you go to work, make it your habit to complete those tasks that are least enjoyable before you get that first cup of coffee or check your e

If you are one of those people who just can’t seem to get motivated to start the things you know you have to do, you’re in good company. It’s hard to tell how many procrastinators there are because most procrastinators put off responding to the surveys! But we can be relatively certain that procrastination is a problem at home, work, school, and everywhere in between.

Procrastination is simply not doing something you know you must do. For instance, I’ve known for months that I needed to write this article but I didn’t do it. Did I have time to write it? Yes. So, why didn’t it get written long ago? It all comes down to the perceived value of your options.

We live in an “immediate gratification” world. That means that when give a choice, we choose to do those things that we perceive to be the most satisfying to us. Think about the last thing you decided not to do. Was is the least desirable option at the time? This happens to adults in school. Writing papers ranks somewhere below a root canal with no anesthesia so papers are easily put off until later. When the due date arrives, the paper still isn’t complete and the student is left to rush through a process that really deserves more attention. For you, the item of disdain might be a job around the house or a task at work.

The key to overcoming procrastination is simple—you must learn to elevate items on your “to do” list. This requires diligence and determination. The problem with many procrastinators is that they don’t have “to do” lists! In order to overcome your procrastination tendencies, here are a few tips.

1. Create a reward system. Force yourself to complete certain tasks by setting up a reward for getting them done. Maybe there’s a big game you want to watch or a favorite restaurant you would like to visit. Neither are bad choices... as long as you have your work done. No cheating! You have to stick to your guns and tell yourself “No” until the job is done.

2. Enlist someone to hold you accountable. Ask a friend to call you and check on your progress related to the task you are putting off. Be honest about your progress and give your friend permission to nag you until you’re finished.

3. Break large tasks in to small steps and list the steps sequentially. It is frustrating to have a big job to do and not see it completed. However, if that big job is simply a collection of smaller jobs, then you can see yourself making progress. List the individual steps and check off each step as it is completed.

4. Create artificial deadlines. Trick yourself into believing that things are due before they actually are due. Write the events in your calendar and, if necessary, set target dates for significant parts of the job.

5. Do first the things you don’t enjoy. Get out of the way those tasks that you just don’t enjoy. When you go to work, make it your habit to complete those tasks that are least enjoyable before you get that first cup of coffee or check your em

o? It all comes down to the perceived value of your options.

We live in an “immediate gratification” world. That means that when give a choice, we choose to do those things that we perceive to be the most satisfying to us. Think about the last thing you decided not to do. Was is the least desirable option at the time? This happens to adults in school. Writing papers ranks somewhere below a root canal with no anesthesia so papers are easily put off until later. When the due date arrives, the paper still isn’t complete and the student is left to rush through a process that really deserves more attention. For you, the item of disdain might be a job around the house or a task at work.

The key to overcoming procrastination is simple—you must learn to elevate items on your “to do” list. This requires diligence and determination. The problem with many procrastinators is that they don’t have “to do” lists! In order to overcome your procrastination tendencies, here are a few tips.

1. Create a reward system. Force yourself to complete certain tasks by setting up a reward for getting them done. Maybe there’s a big game you want to watch or a favorite restaurant you would like to visit. Neither are bad choices... as long as you have your work done. No cheating! You have to stick to your guns and tell yourself “No” until the job is done.

2. Enlist someone to hold you accountable. Ask a friend to call you and check on your progress related to the task you are putting off. Be honest about your progress and give your friend permission to nag you until you’re finished.

3. Break large tasks in to small steps and list the steps sequentially. It is frustrating to have a big job to do and not see it completed. However, if that big job is simply a collection of smaller jobs, then you can see yourself making progress. List the individual steps and check off each step as it is completed.

4. Create artificial deadlines. Trick yourself into believing that things are due before they actually are due. Write the events in your calendar and, if necessary, set target dates for significant parts of the job.

5. Do first the things you don’t enjoy. Get out of the way those tasks that you just don’t enjoy. When you go to work, make it your habit to complete those tasks that are least enjoyable before you get that first cup of coffee or check your e

ention. For you, the item of disdain might be a job around the house or a task at work.

The key to overcoming procrastination is simple—you must learn to elevate items on your “to do” list. This requires diligence and determination. The problem with many procrastinators is that they don’t have “to do” lists! In order to overcome your procrastination tendencies, here are a few tips.

1. Create a reward system. Force yourself to complete certain tasks by setting up a reward for getting them done. Maybe there’s a big game you want to watch or a favorite restaurant you would like to visit. Neither are bad choices... as long as you have your work done. No cheating! You have to stick to your guns and tell yourself “No” until the job is done.

2. Enlist someone to hold you accountable. Ask a friend to call you and check on your progress related to the task you are putting off. Be honest about your progress and give your friend permission to nag you until you’re finished.

3. Break large tasks in to small steps and list the steps sequentially. It is frustrating to have a big job to do and not see it completed. However, if that big job is simply a collection of smaller jobs, then you can see yourself making progress. List the individual steps and check off each step as it is completed.

4. Create artificial deadlines. Trick yourself into believing that things are due before they actually are due. Write the events in your calendar and, if necessary, set target dates for significant parts of the job.

5. Do first the things you don’t enjoy. Get out of the way those tasks that you just don’t enjoy. When you go to work, make it your habit to complete those tasks that are least enjoyable before you get that first cup of coffee or check your e

t. Neither are bad choices... as long as you have your work done. No cheating! You have to stick to your guns and tell yourself “No” until the job is done.

2. Enlist someone to hold you accountable. Ask a friend to call you and check on your progress related to the task you are putting off. Be honest about your progress and give your friend permission to nag you until you’re finished.

3. Break large tasks in to small steps and list the steps sequentially. It is frustrating to have a big job to do and not see it completed. However, if that big job is simply a collection of smaller jobs, then you can see yourself making progress. List the individual steps and check off each step as it is completed.

4. Create artificial deadlines. Trick yourself into believing that things are due before they actually are due. Write the events in your calendar and, if necessary, set target dates for significant parts of the job.

5. Do first the things you don’t enjoy. Get out of the way those tasks that you just don’t enjoy. When you go to work, make it your habit to complete those tasks that are least enjoyable before you get that first cup of coffee or check your e

ller jobs, then you can see yourself making progress. List the individual steps and check off each step as it is completed.

4. Create artificial deadlines. Trick yourself into believing that things are due before they actually are due. Write the events in your calendar and, if necessary, set target dates for significant parts of the job.

5. Do first the things you don’t enjoy. Get out of the way those tasks that you just don’t enjoy. When you go to work, make it your habit to complete those tasks that are least enjoyable before you get that first cup of coffee or check your email. Then the reward is associated with completion of the tasks and you can move on without dreading the remainder of the day.

6. Delegate the things you don’t like to do to those people who like to do them. Don’t try to do everything; recognize the things that you enjoy and maximize your time doing those things. When possible, get help on the things that you just can’t seem to get inspired to do.

Procrastination is the enemy of success and progress. Once you learn to deal with it, you will be on your way to achieving the goals you have for today and tomorrow! Think about it!