10 Ways to Stop Procrastinating

When I'm faced with a work task that I don't want to do (but know I have to do), I end up having the cleanest house in the world. Laundry is done and folded. Closets are organized. Pretty much anything else gets done except the to-do item at hand. I am, my friends, the Procrast-O-Master.

Here are some procrastination tricks that have inspired me to get back on task.

I have friends who make fun of my obsessive love of showers, but I can't help it. The truth is that I've had some of my best ideas while standing under the showerhead. So if I find myself at a complete standstill, I go take a really hot shower. I usually come back refreshed and raring to go.

I don't like exercising, but as I get older I'm finding it more of a necessity. What's great about exercise: I'll either hate the idea of going to the gym so much that the alternative of doing the task I'm avoiding sounds better; or I'll go get some exercise, come up with a better way of tackling my to-do list while I'm in the midst of dying on the treadmill. Bonus: Exercise often leads to a hot shower!

This time, it's not about exercise. It's about a change of scenery. I get up, walk outside and take a look around. Sometimes I even find a weed with strange-looking flowers and take a picture of it. Sometimes a new point of view is all it takes.

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I'm horrible about not drinking enough water. So if I'm going to procrastinate, I might as well use the time to do something that's good for me and hydrate.

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I say to myself, "If I complete this annoying thing, then I get to take myself out for a chocolate cakeball." Funny thing is, I fall for it every time.

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I like to look up anyone who is doing what I should be doing—but well. Sometimes I just need a little inspiration.

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Promise myself that I only need to do the annoying thing for 15 minutes, and then I can take a break. (And maybe a cakeball!) I can do almost anything for 15 minutes, and I'm always surprised at how productive I am.

Rock out to something like this. Or this. Or heck, even this. If you're at the office, put your headphones on, close your eyes, and tap your feet. You'll get the necessary rush to get energized and focused.

I know, the cleaning thing again. But the trick is that I'm only allowed to clean my workspace—and nowhere else. Usually the clean slate is enough of a push to get moving.

I mean, nothing. Tell myself if I'm not going to do the annoying thing, I'm not allowed to do anything else. I close my eyes and listen to my own breath until I get bored.

Then it's time to tackle it.

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How do you beat procrastination? We'd love to know. Check out these procrastination tips here and add your own to the list.