If you are a business owner, there is one think you know as fact – sometimes you have to do things you hate. I’m not talking about moral or ethical (hopefully) things but tasks that need completing yet you don’t want to do them. How can you overcome your disdain for a certain task and get the result you want?

1. Get Out a Sheet of Paper and a Pen
I am a very visual person and chances are you are too, so grab that good ole’ notepad and writing utensil. Write today’s date in the top right-hand corner of the paper under the heading “I Started:”. In big, capital letters across the top of the paper write down the task that needs to be completed. On the first line below that, in your normal handwriting, inscribe the following: “I am fully capable of finishing the above task in record time and with ease.” This might sound crazy, but you need your brain/mind-power on your side if you’re going to accomplish the task at the top of the paper.

2. Benefits of Finishing Your Task
Next, write down the pros (or benefits) of finishing the task you wrote down. Make sure to include every one you can think of. Again, this is to help you realize the importance of accomplishing what is set before you. By the way, if you prefer to do this on the computer, go right ahead!

3. Action Steps to Take
Move down a few lines on the paper and center up what you are about to write down. Jot down the numbers 1 through (at least) 5 going down about two inches off-center of the page. Think of a minimum of five steps that need to be fulfilled in order to complete your undertaking. After you have written those down, take a moment to see if there is anyone else that can take care of any or all of the steps. If there is, take this opportunity to delegate those items to someone else. Don’t feel like you have to do everything because it is never the best use of your time to do everything.

4. One Step at a Time
Begin chipping away at what you wrote down at the top of the page by completing each action step (or having someone else complete them) one-by-one. Though this entire process may sound very simple, sometimes it helps to hear someone else tell you what works. Once you have finished every step you are now done what that task you never wanted to finish in the first place. Congratulations!

5. File Away for Posterity’s Sake
Find a place in your filing cabinet to start a new folder. Label this folder “I Finished It!” Put the finish date right under the start date in the top corner of the paper. File this paper away in the new folder you just created. Look back in the folder from time to time just to see what you are capable of accomplishing when you put your mind to it. You are able to do what ever you set your mind to!

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If you are anything like the majority entrepreneurs or self-starters, procrastination tends to lurk around the corner of most projects, deadlines or ideas. We are taught that procrastination is bad thing, and it usually is unless you learn how to use it to your advantage. This brief article will discuss some basic steps you can take to reign in your desire to put things off and turn it into a creative and powerful force to be used for gain.

1. Admit that you procrastinate.
There is a reason that most rehabilitation groups begin with their meetings with all members stating their name and their problem – it reminds us that we are flawed and need help. The same goes for overcoming your procrastination. Say the following to yourself: “I am a procrastinator and I used to like putting things off, but today is a new day.”

2. Map out a time you procrastinated in the past.
By doing this step you will find the pattern(s) that you tend to follow, whether consciously or not, and how that pattern(s) attributes to your procrastination. Start by outlining the different steps you took in executing your past project or task. Above each of the steps, write how much time it took you to accomplish them. At the top of your “chart”, draw a timeline stating the start and end date of the task or project. In between the start and end dates, fill in the dates above the steps on which you completed the said step. Drawing everything out will help you realize how you block out completing a given project or task.

3. Figure out your peak timeframe.
Take a good look at the time differential between the start and end date of the project or task you just mapped. How long is it between the start date and the middle of the project? Write that down. How long is it between the middle and the end of the project? Again, write that down. Since you are a self-admitted procrastinator, most of your work is probably accomplished during the latter section of your project. Hone down even deeper into your map and find out during what part of the project you get the most work done. This is known as your peak timeframe.

4. Schedule new projects during your peak timeframe.
Now that you know at what part of any given project you get the most work done (your peak timeframe), begin scheduling the majority of steps in future projects during that timeframe. Focus mainly on the important steps that only you can do or it is simply best for you to do. By scheduling based on your peak timeframe, you will be able to harness the formerly bad habit known as procrastination.

5. Outsource portions of your work that fall outside your peak timeframe.
Enlist the help of others to accomplish the tasks or steps that need completed before your peak timeframe. By having these steps already done before crunch time, it will make your job easier when it is time for you to get down to work. If you are not comfortable delegating certain tasks, find out what you are comfortable letting someone else do and pass it on to him or her. In order for you to harness your procrastination, you must become skilled at delegation.

6. Win through procrastination.
Although most this might overwhelm you at first, completing these simple will help you become more efficient and effective in your work. This is one project you do not need to put off until tomorrow. Start right now by getting out a piece of paper and pen and do Step 1.

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