One of my "Home Biz Tid Bits" e-zine subscribers recently asked for help with her problem of procrastination.

I admired her willingness to acknowledge her problem and seek a solution. Many people are too proud to admit they are struggling with a character defect such as this and therefore do not get the help they so desperately need.

Procrastination is a Character Defect

As Christian business builders, we must recognize that putting things off is very harmful to us, our business, and our customers or affiliates. We all put things off from time to time but when it seriously interferes with our well being and we or those around us suffer because of it, it's time to take action. With God's help, we can make the changes necessary to have victory over this deadly defect and experience personal and business growth once again.

My Top 10 Procrastination Busters

Believe me when I say that I'm no saint nor have I conquered this problem 100% in my own life but I've learned a few things that have helped me squash this bad habit that I'd like to share with you today.

1. Yield to the Holy Spirit

First thing upon rising in the morning, I yield myself to the Holy Spirit's control and ask that I be placed in the best understanding of God's will for me for this day. Through-out the day, whenever I start to feel stressed our burned out, I again yield to Him trusting that He will direct me.

2. To Do List

I ask God to help me make a list of "to do's" for the day. I ask that he takes away my selfishness and self seeking motives. I ask that my focus be on others and how I can help them.

3. First Things First

I tackle the most urgent tasks first. (the ones that are really bothering me or the ones that I know must be done before a certain time or date) If I find myself struggling with the task, I get down on my knees and ask God to work through me as I do the chore. I ask that I be used as his servant. I ask that I do it in the "spirit of love" and with the Holy Spirit's power.

4. Write Out Your Feelings

Sometimes if I'm really having a hard time tackling a particular "to do", I will write my feelings down on paper and ask myself questions and answer them on paper. Like "Why don't you want to make this phone call? Or...why are you afraid to write this article? I write on the paper like God is asking me the questions and I'm honestly answering him. I find this easier than praying out loud. I figure God wrote to us in the Bible so writing is a good way to communicate to Him. Once I know the "why" for putting off the task, it's usually easier for me to get on with it. (by the way, I also write out prayers for others on paper. I find it easier to "stick with it" and stay focused for a longer period of time.)

5. Power Nap

Very rarely do I ever take a "sleep" in the day time. But on occasion, when I feel very stressed or have an overwhelming feeling of powerlessness or energy loss, I'll take a quick power nap. It's usually not more than 15-30 minutes in length. Sometimes it's just another occasion to get alone and read my Bible or just talk with God a bit. If you're like me at all, I feel guilty for having a nap in the day time but I often recall a message my Pastor preached in church one Sunday. He said, "One of the most spiritual things you can do sometimes is just... have a nap."

6. Letting go

Sometimes I find that my to do list is just too big for one day. Maybe I've gone ahead of the Lord and just made my own list without consulting with Him first. Maybe other people have put pressure on me to do things I couldn't say no to. Whatever the reason, it's OK to cross some things off your list and let them go completely or put them off for another day. Maybe God doesn't want you to do a particular task today or "right now". That's why it's very important to be in tune with God throughout the day praying as you go from task to task.

7. Concentrate on Your Own Responsibilities

One of the worst ways to procrastinate and stop your own progress is to focus on what others are doing or not doing. I find it easier and easier to let go of what I think someone else should do when I place my trust in Jesus and concentrate on my own responsibilities and what will please him. Fretting and trying to control others' actions is time consuming and energy draining.

8. Eternal Values

In some cases, I find that procrastination could be a blessing in disguise if I'm open to the Holy Spirit's leading. Maybe the task that I'm putting off for the moment is just not that important to do right now. I try to think about eternity and what will please the Lord when I meet him face to face. Thinking along these lines, makes it easier for me to prioritize and find the motivation to overcome my procrastination by re-evaluating the value of completing some of the tasks at hand.

9. Consider the Consequences of Procrastination

Perhaps a rude awakening will help you learn a lesson well. I remember putting a task off until the next day simply because I wanted to do my own thing for the moment. I wanted a "goof off" day. I wanted to relax and take it easy. The problem was....the next day an emergency came up that made it impossible for me to complete the work that I should have done the day before. I learned a painful lesson that day that I won't soon forget.

10. Breaking the Task Down

Sometimes a "to do" can seem overwhelming to tackle because of the length of time it might appear to take to accomplish it. Looking at the whole job in one chunk can seem impossible to handle and exhausting just thinking about it. No wonder procrastination is so alluring. On the other hand breaking the task into smaller, manageable sizes gives it less power to immobilize me. Once I have taken the first manageable step, it is much easier to take the second and the third and before I know it, the job is done.

These steps might seem quite simplistic and you've no doubt heard many of them before; however, they do work! The difference it will make in your own situation is whether or not you implement them. Remember that God is ultimately our employer whether we are homemakers, work at an outside job, or have our own business, so let's do our best for Him trying to make every minute productive.