Motivation: some people just don’t have it.  You can call it chronic procrastination, lack of interest, or laziness.  If you’ve ever said one of the following: “I have to wait until the last minute to do my homework because I work better under pressure,” “I just don’t care” or “If I wait long enough, maybe someone else will do it,” you may be suffering from a lack of motivation.

Depending on the nature of the task, it might not take much at all to give you a little jump-start.  Sometimes going for a run can clear your mind and get you pumped up.  If you’re not into exercising, many reality TV shows can be surprisingly inspiring.  One episode of “The Biggest Loser” can convince you that diets are not so bad and most shows on HGTV can have you making an impulse trip to Lowe’s before the credits roll.

For your bigger jobs, ask yourself why you are avoiding them so industriously.  Sometimes it helps to complete the task with a friend.  This works well for working out or dieting.  Of course, friends can often be the source of avoiding disagreeable work.  For example, you are not going to be able to study when your roommates are having a party in the living room.  Try removing yourself from the distracting environment.  Go study at the library.

Tell yourself that the earlier you start an unpleasant task, the earlier you’ll be done.  You will also be able to take more breaks instead of trying to complete the project in one marathon-last-minute-I-should-have-started-earlier run.  You’ll also save yourself a lot of stress.

Chances are, you probably have plenty of motivation if you’re reading this article.  Either that, or you’ve taken the first step in admitting you have a problem.  Way to go!  Now quit surfing the Internet and go start that homework you’ve been putting off all day.