"Get to it and do it." It's a statement I heard plenty of growing up. Chores to be finished? "Get to it and do it." Math homework? "Get to it and do it." Whatever the task to be done, if I was procrastinating or avoiding the activity, “Get to it and do it” would be my mother's response.

The mantra never seemed to become second-nature, but with a long laundry list of to-dos covering everything from household chores to writing projects that I've been meaning to start or complete, I realized this was simple advice I should be living by. With plenty to do, I should be getting plenty done. Instead, I putz around doing odd jobs or filling my time with less-than-productive activities like watching movies and taking naps. This procrastination only makes the list longer, as new projects pop up and deadlines loom. Stress abounds and I start to feel overwhelmed. Then I hear my mother's voice in my head: "Just get to it and DO it, already."

In an attempt to stop procrastinating and start doing, I've come up with some strategies for dealing with the biggest roadblocks to completing my to-do list.

Divide big tasks into smaller ones. Just the thought of tackling a large, time-consuming or elaborate task can be overwhelming. Instead of feeling pressured to complete a big task in one sitting, break it down into smaller, more manageable tasks. That novel you’re working on? Think of it as a collection of chapters instead. Dreading painting the dining room? Paint one wall at a time. As you divide and conquer, those overwhelming tasks start to look like no big deal.

Set deadlines. That presentation you have to give at work next week comes with a non-negotiable deadline set by your boss. Get it done, or pay the consequences. But for those task s that aren’t handed to you with deadlines, like that novel you’re writing just for fun, or the room you’ve been meaning to paint, setting a deadline and sticking to it will ensure it gets finished.

Hold yourself accountable. Deadlines mean nothing if you don’t stick to them. Write them in your calendar, post them on your bulletin board, or ask a friend to check up on your progress each week. Do whatever you need to do to make sure you’re getting those projects done on time.

Prioritize. Not every task can be number one on the list of things you need to get done. Organize your to-do list based on deadlines and focus on tackling the things with the earliest deadlines first.

Don’t forget the little things. You’ve broken your tasks into more manageable pieces and the tendency may be to let those lower priority tasks slip through the cracks. But keep in mind that these smaller tasks add up to that bigger one you were dreading. If you don’t complete it piece by piece over time, you’ll be faced with an overwhelming project later. So schedule that interview or work on that draft now and you’ll be well on your way to a finished article by the time the deadline for your final draft rolls around.

With a plan for getting things done, I might finally start making some check marks. How do you “get to it and do it” when you find yourself overwhelmed or procrastinating?

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