Are you a “chronic procrastinator?” If so, you’re not alone. A study from the University of Calgary reports that 1 in 4 people are chronic procrastinators. Procrastination takes many forms – whether it’s a student pulling an “all-nighter” cramming for a test, an employee waiting until the last minute to complete a project, or a mom putting off the laundry until she is surrounded by mountains of dirty clothes, procrastination will get the best of you. Procrastination never leads to success.

It’s easy to make excuses and create distractions rather than doing what really needs to be done. But in reality, procrastination causes stress, anxiety, fear, skepticism and pressure. Procrastination does not lead to success. The only way to beat procrastination is to take action.

Here are 5 things you can do right now to break the cycle of procrastination:

1. Reframe your brain. Whatever you’re putting off, try to think differently about it. Don’t think about how difficult, boring, or even frightening the task might be. Instead, turn the task into a game. How much can you get done in 20 minutes? Take a break. Can you get the same amount done in 15 minutes? Rather than focusing on the unpleasant parts of the task, think about the awesome benefits of completing whatever it is that you’re putting off.
2. How do you eat an elephant? Many of us put off doing those tasks that are overwhelming. Instead of focusing on the entire project, break it down into smaller, more manageable pieces. Celebrate each piece of the task that you successfully finish. How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time. 
3. Just do it. Rather than finding excuses, do something…anything…to get started. Once you’ve gotten over the initial hump of starting, it’s always easier to keep going. And the task is rarely as bad as you thought it would be. Just do it!
4. What’s the real cost? This step is especially beneficial with larger projects, like saving for retirement. List all the ways putting it off will affect your life, your finances, your stress level, your health, etc. Can you really afford to put it off?
5. Unplug. We are living in a world of constant distractions. Whether it’s a cell phone, email, the Internet, social media, or any of the new streaming services, it’s no wonder we can’t focus. You have the power to change that. Imagine what you could complete if you spent just one hour of focused, concentrated time on a task. Give yourself permission to disconnect. It will be okay. The world can carry on without you for an hour.

Procrastination will keep you from getting a promotion at work. It will keep you from building your business. It will keep you from paying off your debt. It will keep you from going on your dream vacation. It will keep you STUCK!

Procrastination comes from indecision, lack of vision, and lack of focus. When you make a decision and follow it up with action, success happens! Decision and action leave no room for procrastination.

Procrastination will keep you from getting a promotion at work. It will keep you from building your business. It will keep you from paying off your debt. It will keep you from going on your dream vacation. It will keep you STUCK! Procrastination comes from indecision, lack of vision, and lack of focus. But decision wields so much power. When you make a decision, and follow it up with action, success happens! Decision and action leave no room for procrastination.

As you evaluate your own time management  and productivity habits, you have to make the decision: Will you choose to use these strategies to overcome procrastination and live the life you want to live? Or will you keep putting off your dream life until tomorrow (and the next day, and the next…)? It’s up to you!

If you’re looking for even more help with improving your time management skills, check out my best-selling book First Steps to Wealth. I believe in this book so much that I want to give it to you FREE. You’ll just pay for shipping in less than a week, this book will be delivered to you. And be sure to join us for our next First Steps To Success event. In three short days, you will receive the tools you need to design the life you deserve!