I've been meaning to get around to this for a while, but it's so easy to find other things to do. That is the credo of the procrastinator.

If you are making yourself miserable because you can't bring yourself to do what you need to do, here are some tips to break the habit.

• Timing is everything. Time how long it takes you to do things you procrastinate about. For example, I hate doing dishes. One day, I was in a hurry and happened to glance at the clock before I began washing. When I was finished, I looked at the clock again, and six minutes had passed. Now I know the process takes much less time than all the things I did to avoid it.

• Just do it. Some Olympic-level procrastinators will spend much of their time trying to look for shortcuts or employing avoidance techniques, such as saying, "That's not my job." If you just jump into the task at hand, you will have some extra time in your life to use in whatever way you choose.

• Face your fear. When you've been avoiding something because the thought of the task or failing at it causes you anxiety, it can't feel good. In addition you are creating an excuse to delay or disregard important things in your life. If you are afraid of a chore, it will help to get your partner or a friend to assist you. For many people, just having the company is a great motivator. Fear can block us from many things in life; working through it will strengthen you and your relationships.

• Schedule lazy time. Often we don't get around to doing what we need to do because we're just plain tired. One of the best ways to overcome this is to reward yourself with a nap or other downtime, once you have completed what you need to do. Taking a break is a necessity. None of us can be productive all the time, and getting a good rest makes you sharper.