There is a closely related syndrome called unlessitis.

Of course, until and unless never actually happen, so you never get started at all.

When I was first thinking about setting up BizE- zine web site I suffered from these complaints whole time.

'I'd better not start until I learn HTML'

'It would be better if I wait until I've bought Paint Shop Pro.'

'I can't design a web site unless I've researched field thoroughly.'

'I won't get started until I've read a few books about e-commerce.'

And on and on.

But you know what? None of these objections really mattered. They were really just my subconscious demon's way of stopping me from putting my head above trenches.

We all have that little demon living inside our brain. It evolved with us as a survival instinct - so we think twice before doing something dangerous. And in that respect it is very useful. But when it gets upper hand and prevents us from doing anything at all - that is time to take action.

How do we quieten that annoying little voice?

It is all a matter of behavioral training. Like with a dog. Be firm, and provide right rewards and pretty soon it will be helping you rather than hindering.

Here are some tips that really work:

1. You have to become aware of demon before you can learn to tame it. As you go through your day, observe times that you put something off - no matter how small. In time, you will recognize signs. At this stage, don't try to change your behavior, just become aware of it.

2. Start to consciously use demon for positive purposes. So, when you are about to start, or are in middle of something, and voice keeps telling you to do something else, pause for a second and say to demon 'I will stop, but only when I have finished, and then I will give myself a reward.' Promise yourself some small token of your own appreciation - a cup of coffee, a candy bar, a phone call with your best friend - anything that will make you feel good. But only reward yourself for completing task.

Let's face facts: For a large percentage of people, their use of Internet largely results in frittering away their time, with little or nothing to show for it. Just consider some of most popular online activities: Sending and receiving frivolous email (jokes, etc.). Downloading and listening to MP3 music files. Using ICQ for idle chat with friends and relatives. Random surfing, etc.

Things that in themselves aren't necessarily bad - after all, we need some recreation and diversion - but downside is that unless we keep a tight reign on time we spend on non-productive Internet activities, they hinder real accomplishment.

Even if, like me, your primary use of Internet is for business, opportunities to absorb business-related information bombard us from all sides: Countless web sites, ezines, forums, discussion lists, chat rooms, and on and on. More than we can possibly absorb, and sometimes potentially addictive.

Any of these resources may be useful for business purposes, but even they can be distractions if they prevent us from getting more important things done.

As a victim of any of above time-robbers, we may end up asking ourselves "Where did all time go?"

Arresting Time-Robbers

I was recently interviewed for an article in Entrepreneur's Start-Ups Magazine (Sept. 2000 Issue, pg. 30). Here are some tips I gave for effectively dealing with time-robbers, which appear in sidebar "Smart Move - Make It Count."

1) Set goals.