Tasks that are being avoided by us hang around like a dark cloud. Soon there are many such clouds hovering around us. We could start working on a task, but as soon as we think of doing something, we get lost in the cloud.

When a deadline or any other urgency makes us finally tackl...

• People require more effort and control to do a task or activity that's not part of their default mode. If you need someone to do something outside of their default mode, start with small steps and slowly introduce the new activity.
• When hiring people, try ...

• Reduce your tendency to procrastinate. If you have a task you've been avoiding, begin with the smallest thing to be done. The desire to close the loop will help you take small steps to get it done.
• Get people to take note of what you're saying. Try...