How to Stop Procrastinating: a simple Guide to Mastering Difficult Tasks and Breaking the Procrastination Habit

Option #1: The Getting Things Done (GTD) Method
Detailed in one of the classic books on productivity, the GTD method
rests on the idea of moving planned tasks and projects out of the mind by
recording them externally and then breaking them into actionable work

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items. This allows one to focus attention on taking action on tasks instead
of recalling them.
I’ll be the first to admit that the GTD method is a vastly superior strategy
for identifying all the “stuff” in your life. With this approach, you will
gather 100% of all your incompletes. This includes any personal task,
professional task, long-term goal, and random idea that you’ve ever had.
This includes items like:
current projects;
bucket lists and “someday” goals;
appointments;
routine checkups (e.g., dental, medical, and appointments for your
children);
financial investments;
commitments to others;
responses to email messages and phone calls; and
household chores or repairs.
These are just few examples. If you want to get the full picture of all that’s
included in the GTD method, 
then check out the full list that’s provided
courtesy of the site 43 Folders
.
Again, I highly recommend the GTD approach because it’s the most
thorough method for identifying all the “open loops” in your life that
require an action. That’s why you might be interested in checking out
David Allen’s 
book
 
Getting Things Done
to complete this step of the
process.
That said, I will say the following with as much humility as possible. The
GTD approach is not for everybody—especially for people who already
struggle with procrastination.
The time requirement for completing this life review 
can take at least a
day or two of focused effort
.
 
It also requires a specific organizational
structure for files and the stuff in your life. If you’re someone who

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struggles to keep up with your day-to-day tasks, then you might find
yourself overwhelmed by the GTD process.
That’s why I’d like to offer an alternative solution in the paragraphs that
follow.