Why don't we do it? We know it has to be done; and there’s a deadline on top of it. So why do we wait? There are a number of reasons, none of which are good excuses.

My number one favorite: I don’t feel like it. I look at the list of things I have to do and none of them excite me, or even interest me. Ho hum, I’d rather go for a walk with the dog, write my novel or work on my cross-stitch. This one isn’t too hard to conquer – I get myself something to drink, wander around the office and look out the window for a couple of minutes and then do the one that seems the most interesting. Once I get momentum going I’ll continue on until I either finish or have to leave for an appointment or get a phone call.

Of course, you could have a list of way too many things to do. (This NEVER happens to me.) In this case you need to prioritize them and schedule them. There is plenty of software available to help you with time management; or you can do it the old fashioned way on paper with a calendar or date book. However, you also need to learn to say no. Recognize that you need private time and family time and learn to schedule it. It is better to do a few things well and keep your sanity than fail to finish something by a deadline and take the grief from disappointed co-workers (like the boss) and family members.

Sometimes, though, it isn’t that the job is boring; it’s downright unpleasant. For me, making phone calls is not fun. I hate it. I also hate vacuuming. In this case, I’d almost rather jump off a cliff. I would certainly love to throw my vacuum cleaner over a cliff. To do these tasks I have to be more direct. I need to put them down in my schedule on a certain day at a certain time, at least one or two days in the future (more if I can get away with it). As the time comes closer I make sure I don’t schedule anything else at that time. In the meantime I’ll be reminding myself that they have to be done and when – sort of getting myself in the mood. When the time comes I’m mentally prepared and have everything I need to hand so I can get it done with a minimum hassle.

Then there are the huge, mountainous, Mt. Everest even, jobs. Why did I ever agree to be chairman for the food drive or host the family reunion? The first thing to remember with these jobs – don’t worry about the end at the beginning. Second, get organized. Break the job down into many smaller tasks: set the date and the place, make a list of people, send invitations, decide what to eat, decide on decorations, decide who will bring things, etc. If you’re lucky, you can even farm out some of the pieces. Then get started; don’t get sidetracked making lists.

The worst way to deal with procrastination is to wait and hope that whatever it is will fix itself. It will, eventually, but 99% of the time you won’t like the solution. Most of the time the deal will fall through; the troublesome employee will leave, but she’ll take one of your good employees or your proprietary formula with her; the rattle in your engine will end up being fatal; or your cold turns into pneumonia.

Overcoming procrastination is not easy. But once you take the first step momentum can keep you going. Go and start on something you’ve been putting off right now! (I’m going to lunch.)