It brings me naught but sorrow.

I know that I should stop it, so

In fact, I will.....tomorrow!"

                                                                                                                               Gloria Pitzer

Imagine the space filled by this article as blank...
Imagine the time and energy it might have taken a procrastinator to:
1) think about writing the article,  2) put it on a "to do" list,  3) talk about doing writing it, 4) convince self if should already be ready, 5) promise self they will start it tomorrow, 6) promise they will DEFINITELY do it tomorrow, 7) promise....well, you get the point.

As the deadline for the article draws near (it's late evening the night before the article is due), imagine the stress the writer must feel as they brew a cup of coffee and set themselves up for a couple of hours to research the topic, organize the information, create an outline, come up with a catchy opening, get distracted and have another cuppa to help the concentration, write the article, re-write the article, print it out and re-write it yet again.... And, of course, the whole time beating themselves up for waiting so long to start and telling themselves they are no good at writing  and what value will the article be to anyone anyway?

This is procrastination in full, weedy bloom. Delays and distractions. Broken promises and unfulfilled expectations. Feelings of inadequacy. Worry. Fear. Stress. Overwork. And probably not as good an end product as could have been produced had the job been tackled in a  timely and more relaxed manner.

It is generally accepted that procrastination is on the rise. Many of us do it, but for some it can be a destructive pattern that not only affects personal productivity, but their health and happiness. It is often counterproductive to put off important tasks till a later time,: often the dread of doing a task uses up more time and energy than doing the task itself! It can be so easy to sacrifice larger but later rewards for smaller,but immediate, ones. And people still voluntarily delay an intended course of action despite expecting to be worse off for the delay.

Procrastination isn't much good for anyone, anytime. So why do so many of us do it? And not just around the bigger issues like filing taxes or large long-term projects, but also with everyday tasks such as clearing off the desk or tidying out the garage or getting started on a routine project at work.
There has been a lot of research done on the subject. It is now known that procrastination is not an automatic result of perfectionism as was once thought- nor is it to do with simple laziness. It's not so much about what we can't bring ourselves to do, but rather a question of what we too easily and often uncontrollably choose to do instead.
Avoidance. Distractions. Impulsiveness....

The suggestions are that to overcome procrastination we need to focus on developing a "problem-solving orientation" rather than emotional or avoidance-orientated approaches.

So here are a few strategies to help overcome procrastination:

1. Set goals. Decide what you want and what needs to happen to get it. Be specific. Create a realistic timetable.

2. Commit. Make a contract with yourself. Tell another of your plan. Ask for help when you need it.

3. Set priorities. Make a list of things that need to be done in order of their importance.

4. Get organized. Have the right tools and equipment to do the job. Make lists. Keep a schedule.

5. Think small. Don't let the whole of the project overwhelm you. Stay in the present and just do what you are doing.

6. Break tasks down into parts. To get any major project completed, break it down and work on one piece at a time. Reward yourself when you complete one step.

7. Use your "power hours". Schedule your hardest work for the hours when you are at your best. You'll be most productive then, and can get most of your work done.

8. Anticipate temptations and avoid distractions. You can plan in advance how to deal with them and ward them off! Make contingency plans.

9. Realize there is no such thing as perfection. Begin the thing knowing it can never be done perfectly. You'll do your best. As you always do. ( Don't get it perfect: just get it done!)

10. Reward yourself. Often and generously for accomplishing the smallest of tasks. Celebrate. Pat yourself on the back. Enjoy your success!

Like many other self-defeating behaviours, procrastination can be overcome. The place to begin is where you are. And the time to start is now.