We all face many of the same problems in achieving our goals. Procrastination is one such obstacle to success. It results in wasted time and energy, missed opportunities, and poor performance. With procrastination comes increased stress and feelings of failure. Procrastinators fill their time with diversions and unimportant tasks that really do not advance their goals. They are busy being busy, not being productive.

Procrastination is a pattern of behavior that must be modified for a person to produce optimum results. Delaying or avoiding necessary tasks is the mark of a procrastinator. We always know what needs to be done and this awareness only adds more stress to our lives. Finding activities to do instead of doing the necessary task takes time and energy away form our true goal of a better job, more clients, or a promotion and raise.

Possible Reasons for Procrastination

Psychologists differ in their definition of procrastination. Some view procrastination as simply a bad habit. Others believe it is caused by irrational thinking or is a "complex psychological problem" rooted in fear. The result is the same - important things in our lives do not get done.

We procrastinate when faced with difficult, inconvenient or intimidating jobs. Some people suffer from chronic procrastination; for others it affects only certain areas of their lives. Some people procrastinate in their professional lives, others in their personal relationships.

Procrastination can be caused by a set of problems either separately or in combination.

1) Disorganization and procrastination are closely linked. Distractions such as getting sidetracked and off-course, and forgetfulness are also parts of disorganization. Lumping tasks together as if they were inseparable and incapable of being divided into small, manageable tasks is another problem procrastinators face.

2) Procrastination motivated by fear. The fear and the source of the fear must be addressed. There is fear of failure, fear of success, and fear of change, any of which may be subtly or not so subtly keeping us from achieving our goals, keeping us in one place instead of moving forward. This is inertia.

3) Perfectionism - do it perfectly or not at all. Fear of not doing it perfectly can lead to avoidance and procrastination.

Making the Commitment to Change - 7 Steps to End Procrastination

Socrates said, "The unexamined life is not worth living". Analyzing our behavior can help us to understand why we procrastinate, why we delay or avoid doing the important things first. Procrastinators must recognize what is important.

1. Get a simple appointment book to keep disorganization and forgetfulness at bay. Use it every day.

2. Make a list of the important projects that need to be completed. Set priorities. Start with the most important and urgent tasks then work your way down the list.

3. Make a project meaningful. Relate it to goals. List the benefits derived from completing the project. Remind yourself why you are doing a particular task and the rewards you will receive upon completion.

4. Make your intentions known. Tell family, friends or colleagues and make a contract with yourself or with them to complete the task by a certain date.

5. Divide each project into the manageable steps that are necessary to complete a task. Set deadlines for each step of the process.

6. For each project start with the most unpleasant part of the task and do it in small doses - 15 minutes or less.

7. Reward yourself upon completing a project. Don't minimize your accomplishment. You did it!

Plan for work and for play. This reduces distraction because you know fun is ahead. Have a daily "To Do" list and check off tasks as they are finished to give a feeling of accomplishment throughout the day. You need to manage your time to pursue your goals in a productive manner. You can accomplish a lot when deliberately focusing on what needs to be done to achieve our right livelihood. Being a businesswoman today means success on your own terms.