Don't put it off: 10 ways to beat your battle with procrastination.

The celebrated Spanish composer Manuel de Falla was devastated when he received the news about the death of painter Ignacio Zuloaga. Deeply distressed over his friend's death, Falla lamented "What a pity! He died before I answered his letter, which he sent me five years ago."

At one time or another most people are guilty of procrastination. However, for many procrastination runs through their lives like an epidemic, with an appalling number of things never attempted and others left half done. Incredibly, some people die before their time because they put off seeing the doctor about a heart pain or a growing lump. Other people never get the coveted promotion because they missed too many important work deadlines, quotas, and meetings.

Left unchallenged, procrastination can deteriorate life, damage relationships, destroy careers, dash dreams, and erode faith. Yet the practice of putting off until tomorrow is a bad habit that can be changed. Here are effective strategies for beating the battle with Procrastination.

Understand What's Wrong With Procrastinating

Begin conquering procrastination by understanding that it is not merely a harmless habit, but an attitude that stifles personal and professional growth. "Procrastination is the art of keeping up with yesterday," declared American poet and playwright Don Marquis. The problem with procrastination is that it leaves a person locked in the past. There is no evolution or growth.

"Procrastination slams the brakes on the wheels of progress. It chews up goals and aspirations and spits out frustration, anger, and despair," writes James R. Sherman, Ph.D., in his book Stop Procrastinating. "You can see its damaging people who stay too long in the wrong job or wrong relationship. :e it in people who refuse to deal with their abuse of diets, drugs (including alcohol) or tobacco. And you can see it in people who avoid arduous unpleasant confrontations until it's too late to take effective action."

Take the Plunge

Immediately make the commitment to begin doing things you've been postponing. Remind yourself that this minute is the best time to stop procrastinating. Tell yourself that today is the day you take off, step out, set sail, break camp, make tracks. If you have been wanting to send a letter, get out pen and paper. If you have been needing to prepare a report, block off the time and do it before you go to bed. If you have been intending to read a book, get your copy and start now. If you have been promising yourself to start an exercise program, do a few sit-ups or walk around the block today. If you have been considering a diet, toss out your candy bars right now.

Do not allow yourself to accept any excuses for not acting today. By starting to end the procrastination habit today, you will not only feel better about yourself but make it easier to continue tomorrow.

Expect Some Difficulties

Changing deeply established patterns will take time and effort. Don't expect too much too soon. Anticipate some hard times. To avoid becoming discouraged and frustrated when rewards do not materialize quickly, remember you will have to apply the self-discipline necessary to keep moving forward. A persistent and disciplined approach produces the desired results, insists Irwin C. Hansen, a health-care executive who has gained a reputation for turning around underperforming hospitals. "All you need is a big pot of glue. You smear some on your chair and some on the seat of your pants, you sit down, and you stick with every project until you've done the best you can do," Hansen explains.

Visualize Your Completed Goals

Commitment is heightened and determination reinforced when you actively visualize yourself successfully completing a task. To visualize a completed goal, follow this three-point plan visualize the steps needed to complete the task, see yourself carrying out those steps, and picture Yourself with the end product in hand.

Apply the Joshua Factor

It is unlikely that the procrastination habit can be broken through one simple action. If you slip or experience a setback, apply the Joshua factor, which can be summarized in this sentence "Keep marching on anyway." The Bible notes that Joshua's success in overcoming the city of Jericho came after seven attempts "The seventh time around, when the priests sounded the trumpet blast, Joshua commanded the people, `Shout! For the Lord has given you the city!'" (Joshua 6:16).(*) There is this spiritual principle from that story If you don't succeed the first time in breaking the procrastination habit, be like Joshua; keep marching forward. Continue trying--a second time, a third time, a fourth time, a fifth time, a sixth time, and a seventh time. Eventually the walls of procrastination will come tumbling down.

Prioritize Responsibilities and Objectives

Recently Clara Fraser San Soucie, a 56-year-old woman, made headlines because she graduated from the University of Richmond, Virginia, after a 19-year effort. The mother of three, she was delayed from classes at various stages--when she divorced in 1982, and when she underwent major surgery. On other occasions she lost time for financial reasons. Despite personal circumstances, maintained an honors grade-point average of 3.3. Of her college odyssey, Jean H. Proffitt, San Soucie's academic adviser, says "She had a tough row to hoe. It takes a determined person, and it requires you to set your priorities. But she was going to get this degree."

Practice "Counterthinking"

Argue yourself out of negative, self-defeating thoughts. Consider the example of Jackie, a 34-year-old East Coast editor "For the last two years I'd been telling myself that I would work out at least five times per week. I kept putting it off, and finally I joined a gym and began the five-times-a-week routine. To my amazement it went well for about three weeks, and then work pressures began to mount. I started telling myself, `Today you don't have time for the gym. Stay at work.' However, I balanced those thoughts quickly by reminding myself that stressful, deadline times at work were precisely the times I most needed to exercise. So by `counterthinking' I have been able to maintain my commitment to exercise for almost a full year now."

Declare a Position Publicly

Your ability to complete a task or overcome an issue will be greatly increased when you share your commitment with supportive people. A public declaration of a private commitment increases your energy and motivation. It will also bring you support and encouragement from others.

"Declaring a position to other key people in your life and committing publicly becomes a contract that elevates internal and external performance expectations," notes management psychologist Dr. G. Eric Allenbaugh in his book Wake-up Calls. "Marriage ceremonies, Alcoholics Anonymous, and weight-loss programs often tap into the power of public pronouncements to assist individuals in accomplishing goals. Often other people will introduce resources that augment our own and assist in making a difference."

Reward Yourself

Rewarding movement and progress rather than criticizing yourself for setbacks will encourage continued advance. You truly do deserve encouragement in the form of a reward when you substitute carrots for chocolate or jogging in the place of simply vegetating before a television set. Congratulate yourself on progress, and back it up by doing something purely for your own pleasure.

"A meal at a special restaurant or sleeping late are examples of things you can use as rewards as long as you really enjoy them," says Dr. Sherman. "Just remember that a reward system only works when you strictly adhere to it. So if you earn a reward, take it. And if you don't earn it, don't take it. Don't diminish your accomplishments by thinking they are not worth the rewards you set aside for them."

Pray That God Will Help You

Trust God to give you the strength and consistency to overcome procrastination. "The one who trusts will never be dismayed," declares the prophet Isaiah (Isaiah 28:16). Transforming a personality with an inclination for procrastination means working in partnership with God. Remember the words of Jesus "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible" (Matthew 19:26).

(*) Scripture references in this article are from the Holy Bible, New International Version. Copyright [C] 1973, 1978, 1984, International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Bible Publishers.