If you are anything like me you have those things that always end up at the bottom of your ‘to do’ list. We say we’ll start that exercise routine tomorrow; we continually delay finishing that project or starting that business.

Procrastination is the mother of all demons and can literally stop you in your tracks from achieving all that you want.

Here are 4 effective processes you can use to slay this giant.

1: Do it now
Take a breath, count 5-4-3-2-1 and then jump right in and just do it! Putting things off until the last mixture can become a habit and like all habits is ingrained in our subconscious mind and hard to break. It feels like the normal thing to do and we simply continue along our path. To complete a task immediately may even feel strange or forced to start with, but it will get easier.

2: Take baby steps
Sometimes we procrastinate because the task may be intimidating or overwhelming to us. Maybe you have no idea where to start. In these cases, just break it down and take one step at a time. I say choose any place and call it a start, then take tiny step. Say you are preparing a plan and for the 5th time this week, you’ve turned on the laptop and looked at the blank screen. Or you’ve just remembered you need to do some more research before you begin…you’re still not ready. You simply need to break down the project into smaller pieces and tackle each bit separately. Make each task an individual project and after completion of each one, celebrate and acknowledge your achievement.

3: Forget it
Why force the issue? If you have been ‘dragging your feet’ on something for a very long time, it may all be for the best. Something, somewhere is trying to tell you something. That something is your intuition and it is usually right! Think about something that you have been putting off again and again and again. What are the reasons that you need to complete this task in the first place? Does someone want you to do this? What is THEIR agenda? What are YOUR reasons for this lengthy delay? I find it amazing that 99% of the time I put off doing something, I am thankful that I did! Disregarding a project after a long period of procrastination is however usually a last resort.

4: Support team
Do you put off tasks because you feel that they are too big and complex for you to handle alone? Or because you need assistance? Be honest with yourself. “No man is an island”. Ask for help! There are many resources out there that can provide you with all you need to carry out your job. If you’re a solo-professional and you put off answering emails, then don’t answer them yourself. Hire an assistant, find a students that wants experience, get a family member to help. Procrastinating on life changing activities could be as a result of fear of the unknown. Get a mastermind group together, find a mentor, join a support group. You don’t have to do it all by yourself. Just ensure that to kick this habit; you do what feels good to you in whatever method you choose.

Now go just do that thing that you feel you want to do.