So how do you overcome this powerful procrastination tendency? By asking yourself *why* you keep doing it. Is it because you feel inadequate to complete task? Or does thinking about doing it make you uncomfortable? Or do you feel that if you can't do something perfectly, you don't want to do it t all? Once you understand "why" behind procrastinating, you've taken a major first step towards dealing with it.

In my situation with that miserable piece of paper, I'd felt inadequate to perform task correctly. I needed more information. Once I realized that, I was able to take steps to get information I needed, and urge to put task off disappeared.

What if I had realized instead that I was uncomfortable performing task? Let's say assignment was something that struck me as unethical, or that I perceived would cause me harm or embarrassment. Again, had I come to these realizations, I would better know what steps to take to address them. Maybe I would have expressed these concerns to my boss, instead of simply asking her for clarification, or perhaps I would have suggested that it be reassigned to someone more capable of performing it safely.

As for perfectionism...this is perhaps most potent cause for procrastination. While striving to do one's very best in each endeavor is admirable, settling for nothing less than perfect stops us from even trying. At 1976 Olympics Nadia Comaneci made history, becoming first gymnast to ever score a perfect 10. Could she have achieved such an accomplishment without a great deal of efforts, or hundreds of hours of practice? Of course not.

So, if you're putting off something that means a great deal to you, ask yourself: Is it because you feel inadequate to perform it? Then turn to those who can help you sharpen your skills. Does task cause you discomfort? Perhaps you need to break it down into smaller tasks, until you can build up a comfort level that allows you to try something greater. Are you a perfectionist? Recognize truth in "practice makes perfect," and practice, practice, practice.

And one more thing--try not to ever handle same piece of paper twice.

Mary Anne Hahn is a freelance writer who wants to encourage others to follow their dreams. If you're looking to start an online business on a shoestring budget, she invites you to join her at http://goalsetter.buildreferrals.com , or email her for more information, mailto: goalsetter@buildreferrals.net .

Using your subconscious mind to be drawn into success is so much simpler than pushing yourself unmercifully right OUT of success.

Partnering with your subconscious, you will be amazed at brilliant solutions you create over very little time.

A variation of this technique is used in test taking: you may have learned it when you were younger. In college, one professor advised me to read entire test through before starting to answer any questions.

This way, for any answers you are not clear on, your subconscious will immediately begin searching for answers while you are busily responding to those questions you know answers for immediately.

Its like when you are digging around your brain for someone's name, or a book title, or a movie, and you say, "Shoot! I know what it is, I just can't remember right now!" and twenty minutes later you will shout (seemingly out of nowhere) "A Wrinkle in Time! That's book I read in sixth grade by Madeliene L'Engle!" or "Russell Crowe won best actor last year!"

Your brain has an even more amazing search function than your computer. Using this function will empower you to stop pushing your way to semi-success. You will now be able to flow your way into flourishing prosperity.

Review three steps and ask yourself questions.

Allow yourself to receive answers while not being overly concerned with immediate answer. Instead, know perfect answer is already within you.

Embrace truth that to truly start succeeding, it is most fruitful to stop pushing.