We’ve all done it at some time or other. We put off our exercise routine until tomorrow; we continually delay finishing that project, starting that business, focussing on our wellbeing.

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

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

1. Do it now
   Hold your breath and jump right in! Putting things off until the last minute is a habit that you have learned and like all habits is ingrained in our subconscious mind and hard to break. When it’s a habit it feels like the normal thing to do so we simply continue doing it without even being aware of it. To complete a task immediately may even feel strange or like a forced action at first, uncomfortable even, don’t worry that’s a good sign that you have come out of your ‘comfort zone’ and starting to break the habit.
2. Take baby steps
   Sometimes we procrastinate because the task may be intimidating or too big to us. Perhaps we don’t know where to start. In these cases, it is better to take it one step at a time. Say you are preparing a business plan and for the 5th time this week, you’ve turned on the PC 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 some college students that want 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. You’ll surely postpone procrastination for a very long time.