Are you like me and like to put things of until the last moment? The longer you wait to do your tasks, the more it will look like it is a big mountain you have to climb. But it doesn’t have to be that way. The following steps have helped me to overcome my procrastination and I hope it will help you too.

Write down the tasks

The first you have to do is write down the tasks you have to do. And for each task write down by what time or date they need to be done. The things that have a high priority go to the top of your list. By writing down the tasks you get a clear overview of what needs to be done. The list may seem long, but by breaking the big mountain down into different stages (tasks), you will see that it is easier to reach the top. Personally I make a new list every day. At the end of the day everything on that list needs to be crossed off. If I haven’t done it that day it will go on top of the list for the day after.

Give yourself a reward

Giving your self a reward is a great incentive to get things done. As a little kid I got a sticker in my notebook after I completed an assignment in school and I was so proud of myself. Think about what makes you happy, what you like and reward yourself with it after you have completed your task. This can be as simple as watching your favorite program on TV after you have done all your house chores, or go out for dinner after you have finished doing all the (almost) never-ending paperwork. If you have something to look forward to it can work very motivational to get things done. If you don’t complete that task, you miss out on your reward!

Think about the consequences

Giving yourself a reward after you complete a task can be very motivational. But fear is another motivator when it comes down to get your self moving in the right direction. Think about what happens if you do not complete your task in time. What are the consequences? A lot of times the consequences are not very good, so get your self in action!

Start with the things you don’t like

I always start with the tasks I don’t like and save the best or easiest tasks to do last. This way the worst tasks are done early and I don’t have to dread them till the end of the day. Get those dreadful tasks over and done with early and you can cruise the rest of the day!

Break the task down

If you have to do a task that will take you hours or longer, break the task down. For example; you need to clean that mansion you are living in. Instead of doing this all day or all weekend, break it down into one room of the house each day (2 or more rooms if you indeed live in a mansion). At the end of the week you have cleaned everything and it only cost you a small amount of time each day.

Delegate the tasks

I’m a bit of a perfectionist at times and this way I’m making things difficult for myself. A lot of times I want to do everything myself because I know for sure that things get done properly. But you need to start asking yourself; “What needs to be done that only I can do?” So if you are a bit of a control freak like me, it’s time to let go and trust other people. If there are tasks that someone else can do, delegate them! If you delegate a task to someone else it will free up some time for you to do other tasks.

Don’t let the pressure build up

The longer you wait to do a task, the more pressure it will put on your shoulders. So overcome your procrastination. You know that you will feel so much better when you have completed all your tasks or have climbed that big mountain! It feels good to be on top of things instead of dreading the fact that you still have so much to do.

Set yourself goals, complete the steps to accomplish your goals and start living your dreams. Don’t wait another minute!