1. Think about things differently.
   Truthfully, procrastination is a matter of how you think about things. Oftentimes we put things off because they may not be enjoyable and we are anticipating a negative outcome. The first thing we have to know is whether or not that is really true. And if so, how can we do it in a way that makes it better. Can you change your work environment and work on a project at a park or coffee shop for a few hours? Can you enlist the help of a friend you enjoy spending time with to help make doing this deed more pleasant? What can you do to make this more fun? If you give yourself a moment to think about it, I’m sure you can come up with something that helps make the job more palatable. Incidentally, I recall having to terminate a particularly difficult employee. I gave this a lot of thought and once the deed was done, that employee left my office thanking me. Why? Because I managed to terminate them and helped them see that they now had more time to look for something more suitable. I reminded them that they needed to be happy at work and it was clear they weren’t. And this was all absolutely true – so we both felt great.
2. End the Distractions.
   Get rid of anything that beeps, buzzes or vibrates! I find that background music with words is distracting when I’m writing. Could this also be a challenge for you? Notifications can be distracting, especially when it’s the latest picture of a meal eaten by a coworker from 3 years ago.
3. Learn to prioritize.
   It seems like many people are very busy with all sorts of things to do. Many will say to get the quick things out of the way. That can work sometimes, but you must remember, something quick to do may not be urgent. When you don’t plan properly, you can end up doing quick things all day and never get to the project that needs more time.
4. Break big projects down.
   When a project is more complex, it makes sense to break it into pieces. As an example, if you have an article to write (hahahaha) you may estimate that it’s a 3-hour project. Plan on working for 20-30 mins at a time a week before instead of all at once. Some projects may require research or enlisting help – such as installing a door. So again, break the project into smaller, easier pieces and across several days.
5. Be mindful of your health.
   Be sure that you are well-rested and be considerate if you have any underlying health condition that interrupts your ability to get things done. Medications and chronic illness may cause you to need more time to get things done. And if by chance you suffer from ADHD, depression or something similar, you may not be able to guarantee how you will feel from day to day. Be kind to yourself and start your projects early, completing a bit at a time.
6. Consider the cost.
   If nothing seems to get you moving, seriously think about the cost of your procrastination. You could lose a contract, let down your team or worse, cost a price that someone else has to pay. No one enjoys the feeling of letting someone else down.

It’s hard to imagine that any coach will be happy to be known as someone that procrastinates. I know for myself, the frustration and anxiety are emotions I’m happy to let go of. If you find that you would like to let go of procrastinating, try one of the methods mentioned. Hopefully, they will help you remain ignited while completing tasks that you tend to put off.