Usually when this happens, we get mad at ourselves, which makes us dislike job even more. We accuse ourselves of being lazy, of having no self-discipline. But that isn't really problem. Most of time, it's simply that task is unpleasant, or we're not good at it, or it's boring. We get less out of task than we put into it. Or at least it feels that way.

So instead of berating ourselves about our laziness or procrastination, let's take that energy and use it to figure out how to make that chore more pleasant or rewarding. (Chocolate usually works for me.) Sometimes it's as simple as pulling out a pair of rubber gloves before you tackle fridge, or brewing a special pot of coffee to sip while you struggle with taxes. The most effective thing to do is to change your feelings about chore. Find something positive about it and focus on that. Be glad you have a refrigerator with food in it. Appreciate fact that you have sufficient income to pay taxes.

Here are a few more suggestions about how to handle chore you hate.

*Can you make chore more pleasant? Maybe you could light a candle or some incense, play your favorite music, sip a special brew of tea or coffee, if that's your thing. My daughter does her ironing in front of television.

*Break a big task down into smaller pieces. Don't clean out entire refrigerator; just do one shelf. Don't attack all your filing at once, just do ten pieces a day.

You know what I mean. Your Critic is that voice that echoes inside your head, telling you your work isn't good enough, you're not good enough, it's all a waste of time, it's trivial, no one will come, it will never sell. Everyone's Critic has it's own favorite issues. And our Critic's issues often get in way of our work.

So we need to banish our Critic from our work space, whether that's a painting studio, a writing office, or a stage. But that's not easy to do. The Critic is stubborn, and usually returns after you think you've got rid of him for good. Here are some suggestions that might work for you.

1. Have a concrete representation of your Critic in your work space. When you start to work, move it out of space or put it in a drawer.

2. Sit and listen to your Critic. Write down every negative thing it says, then either verbally or on paper refute each statement, whether you agree with it or not.