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If you are stuck in a cycle of procrastination, don't despair – a few simple steps can help you break out of the malaise, says Harvard Business Review .
Procrastination may feel like the human condition, but it doesn't have to. To get out of your own way and increase your productivity, try these three tactics:
1. Set deadlines.
Create a schedule with clear due dates for each task. Remind yourself by using visual cues: Set reminders in your calendar, add items to your to-do list, or put a sticky note on your computer screen.
2. Ask for help.
Ask a trusted colleague to review your work. Knowing that she's expecting it can spur you to get started.
3. Change your mind-set.
Stop thinking of yourself as a procrastinator. See yourself – and talk about yourself with others – as someone who gets things done.
Today's management tip was adapted from "The Guide to Getting the Right Work Done."