Getting started on or completing a project is something many people have problems doing. Mastering the ability to overcome procrastination will help you get the victory in accomplishing the goals you set for yourself.

1. Realize that procrastination is one of the main causes of failure.

2. Realize that when you permit procrastination to operate in your life:

• a. You waste time.
  
• b. Your duties go unperformed.
  
• c. You miss opportunities.
  
• d. You miss important engagements.
  
• e. Your life slips away like grains of sand in the
  wind, until there is nothing left.

3. Have a definite schedule and stick to it. Schedule your routine duties.

4. Make a list of the things you have to do, or want to do, other than your routine activities. Set a definite time to review this list, and decide which items you are going to do and which ones you will not do. Forget the ones you decide not to do. Schedule a definite time to do each of the remaining items.

5. Make a definite commitment to always be on time for all engagements. Have an accurate watch and look at it often.

6. Make realistic assessments of the amount of time required for each activity/item, and allow yourself enough time to make adequate preparations so that you will be properly prepared.

7. Plan to handle one activity/item at a time until it is completed.

8. When you are confronted with complex or extensive activity/items, analyze them completely. Break them down into smaller activity/items and handle each of them one at a time.

9. Be careful not to crowd your calendar with so many appointments that it is virtually impossible to make them all on time with proper preparations.

10. Do not let fear of criticism or fear of failure cause you to be slow in making decisions. Decide intelligently, act effectively, and do it now!

Overcome procrastination to get started. Ignore criticism to keep going.

© 2004 LifeSkill Institute, Inc.

Based on The Twelve Universal Laws of Success, Second Edition, Expanded, ISBN 0-9748362-1-4 a new book by Herbert Harris, available at Amazon.com, barnesandnoble.com, or through the LifeSkill Institute, Inc. Call (800) 570-4009 to order books. Get your FREE copy of "Twelve Affirmations to Live By" poster by E-mail to: lifeskill@earthlink.net

Brother Herbert Harris will be keeping the Black community updated on thoughts for success and how we can succeed in our lives. Visit regularly for new information that could help you overcome and make the best of your everyday experiences.

To subscribe to Harris' column join the Afromerica email list to receive new information as it is updated. Or E-mail H Harris at: lifeskill@earthlink.net

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