If you have days when you don't feel like doing anything what can you do?

When a deadline looms you need a quick and easy way to start making some progress. This is very possible for you with the following three minor shifts in how you think about work.

1. Define Specifically What You Must Do

Ignore all other tasks for the moment. This step can be a revelation - clarity helps you to concentrate on what matters most of all.

It is a lot easier to get started when you know what needs to be done rather than feeling like you have to do everything at the same time.

Write down the goal as specifically as you can so that you have a clear and attainable target to aim for.

2. Allow Yourself To Make Mistakes

If you demand perfection of yourself you will quite naturally put off getting started until the perfect moment arrives. Of course this will never happen so you will never commence the project.

It is more important to begin.

Do your best and make corrections later on. By adopting this outlook you will get something done and you can enlist the help of others to advise you and give feedback.

Then improve your work after you have finished your first effort.

3. Compete Against Yourself

When you compete against others the possibility of failure can stop you from even trying. It is far better to compete against your previous best performance.

Compare the quality of your work with your usual standards and aim to match or beat that standard. This approach puts you back in control and allows you to succeed on your own terms.

Obviously your personal standards must meet or exceed those of the people who are relying on your work.

To sum up. You can beat procrastination with a few minor shifts in how you think about success and achievement.

For the sake of learning a new way of thinking about your work you can enjoy greater success and leave the anxiety of procrastination behind forever.