Another barrier to achieving what we want and meeting our goals is procrastination. We may have a well-written plan that details what we want to have, be, or do; however, we never achieve the goal or use the time wisely because we procrastinate. We choose to put off doing things, especially if they are less pleasant than some other choices we can make.

The following list suggestions some of the reasons why we choose to put off rather than do:

• Having uncertain goals
• Feeling overwhelmed
• Experiencing difficulty concentrating
• Holding onto negative beliefs
• Experiencing personal problems
• Becoming or being easily bored
• Setting unrealistic goals
• Being afraid of failure
• Making excuses

Suggestions for overcoming procrastination follow:

• Realize that progress is better than perfection
• Recognize your fear
• Identify the fear or the obstacle
• Discipline yourself to work on achieving
• Attack the goal in short time intervals or small portions of the task
  Include breaks, being specific
• Think positively
• Refer to the "To do List"
• Reward Self
• Eliminate distractions
• Better utilize small amounts of time
• List Pros and Cons
• Practice relaxation skills

University at Buffalo, The State University of New York
Overcoming Procrastination
http://ub-counseling.buffalo.edu/studyprocrast.shtml