Procrastination

Act after you plan:

• start with a written plan of action to avoid getting distracted
• keep your plan simple and straightforward
• start with the one thing you must get done today to feel productive
• should be a manageable item you can complete in 10-15 minutes
• break the day up into a number of "action sessions" for other tasks
• balance the time spent planning with time spent creating or doing
• avoid over-planning -- another method of procrastination
• before ending your day, spend 10 minutes reviewing your progress
• take time to plan your actions for the next day

Be Vision directed

• your tasks should match your values or purpose
• if not, you will find it hard to summon the energy to tackle them
• bring each task into congruence with your basic mission
• if you can't, take it off of your list

Bite sized bits

• don't put any "to-do" on your list that takes more than 30 minutes
• if it takes longer, it's actually a series of smaller "to-do's"
• break each step out and list it separately
• you don't have to tackle all the steps of a project in one sitting
• spread a large task out over several work sessions
• you will see greater progress as you check more items off your list
• you will avoid getting bogged down in one large task or project

Decide to schedule it

• determine how much you can do or tolerate at a time
• don't push yourself too far or you'll get bored or frustrated
• plan these project "pieces" into your daily activities
• set a "completion point" for accomplishing each small task
• completion points give you an end in sight to look forward to

Good enough is good enough

• don't try to do everything perfectly
• perfectionism often causes procrastination
• perfectionists would rather put it off than do an incomplete job
• rather than perfection, aim for progress
• any small step toward completion is an accomplishment

Just do it!

• do the worst job (or part of the job) first and get it out of the way
• once you tackle the part you are dreading, the rest is a breeze
• stop spending time planning and just jump into doing it
• set a time limit -- "I'll file papers for 5 minutes"
• alternate unpleasant jobs with tasks you enjoy
• delegate out items you can't make yourself do

Plan around interruptions

• interruptions tend to occur in identifiable patterns
• notice when interruptions occur, by whom, and why
• take steps to prevent those interruptions before they occur
• if they can't be prevented, learn how to delegate to someone else
• if they can't be delegated, learn how to delay until you are finished

Remember to make it fun

• make the project and environment as pleasant as possible
• play music, open a window, have a cold drink, etc.
• give yourself the best tools and work space for the project
• take a few minutes to organize your work space
• a clean desk allows you to focus without visual distraction
• it's only a chore if you think of it as a chore

Staying motivated

• find an "accountability partner" to track your progress
• schedule a regular time to check in with a friend or colleague
• rewarding your accomplishments encourages productivity
• give yourself a break, a treat, a nap -- whatever is a reward for you
• reward every step along the way, not just the end result
• the bigger the accomplishment, the bigger the reward

(The above is taken in whole from Ramona Creel. Copyright resides with the author. Content provided by OnlineOrganizing.com -- offering "a world of organizing solutions!" Visit www.onlineorganizing.com for organizing products, free tips, a speakers bureau, get a referral for a Professional Organizer near you, or get some help starting and running your own organizing business.)