We've all heard it said that the hardest part about doing a project is starting it. Easy tasks have the ability to mushroom out of proportion if we don't take care of them in a timely manner. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, and with that in mind, I've put together this list of five techniques to for beating procrastination and getting on with your life.

Remove Distractions

Distractions are the fuel that drive procrastination. It's easy to neglect the things you need to get done when there's something else to divert your attention. When you need to work on a project, clear your workspace of distractions. With your distractions gone, you should find it easier to direct all of your attention to the project at hand. Allowing you to begin it, as well as finish it, much quicker.

Ask for Assistance

No, I don't mean ask for someone else to help you with your project. I mean ask someone else to help you stay focused. Chances are, if you're a really bad procrastinator, friends and family have already noticed. Ask them to help keep you on track and help turn you back to your work if you get distracted of start procrastinating. They'll most likely be happy to help.

Reward Yourself for Working Hard

It's not easy to work hard. When you work hard, you achieve more, but working hard is an achievement in itself. Therefore, reward yourself for it. Find something that you love, and reward yourself with it when you work hard for a set amount of time. Don't give in and reward yourself prematurely, it will only hurt.

Prioritize and Budget Your Time Accordingly

There are only so many hours in the day, so it's imperative that you spend them doing the most important things. Don't waste time on little unimportant things. Find out what the big things are, and then set aside time for them. Make a schedule and stick to it!

Start Now

The road of a recovering procrastinator is a long and difficult one. You will most likely have relapses. When this happens, don't be discouraged. Just think of how much better your life will be when you've beaten your procrastination. Free time is so much more enjoyable when you don't have a deadline looming over your head.