Two of the commonest problems that procrastinators can face are an inability to prioritise and to keep getting stuck on perfection. Let's look at how to tackle prioritising because unless you learn to get the main thing done before the hundreds of other more interesting things claim your attention you will be stuck in that procrastinating rut and going nowhere.



I call this my 'lifebelt' tip because it literally can rescue from drowning in a sea of inaction and frustration. I work by the rule of three: each morning I write down on a sticky note the three things that MUST be done that day and I put it where I cannot miss it 'in the middle of my computer screen. In order to work I have to move the note, so if I want to check my emails I have a stark reminder that those are my priorities - and I get them done first before finding out whether my favourite astrology column says I should venture out of doors or what the members of the various forums I belong to are banging on about that day.

Notice, I am choosing to do those three things because I know that once they are out of the way I can do the more fun stuff; my 'reward' is the way I choose to look at it. These are my ABC's and a typical day's top three could be this:

A) Contact agent about book synopsis sent off a month ago

B) Write healthy newsletter

C) Pay water bill

These are the 'must-do's' and you will notice I have put them in order of importance. I don't want to keep hanging on for that particular publisher if they are not interested in the book, so I want to move it on to offer to others and I need to know what the situation is. So I make that phone call first, then move the post-it note to the side of the screen to write the newsletter, and then go online last to pay the water bill. As I am online I will probably then go on and check my emails, horoscope and the many newsgroups I belong to, but the point is I have done the prioritised list FIRST.

Remember that procrastination can ruin your health, happiness and relationships - but only if you let it.

Next time let's tackle that other problem for procrastinators - perfectionism.