Do you work better under pressure or is it that you only work under pressure?

Research done by Dr. Pychyl, an associate professor of psychology at Carleton University, suggests that people who claim to work better under pressure are really just procrastinating and he calls them "Arousal Procrastinators". It seems that the majority of us consider ourselves to be procrastinators as well, a whopping 75% according to Dr Pychyl's studies. However, the good news is that 95% of procrastinators want to change and there is help.

I know even I have been known to procrastinate from time to time. So in an effort to help here are my Top 7 Tips to help you get more done and be more effective!

#1 - List your goals. Get yourself in a positive state of mind and start brainstorming. Choose the areas in your life that you need to consider and prioritize your goals. Consider goals that are really your own goals, and not goals that others may have for you.

#2 - Plan your actions. Write out your goals and the steps to get there. Make a "To Do" list for taking daily actions. Until a goal is in writing it is just an idea. Writing out goals is the most critical step to making them concrete, it is the reinforcement to make them reality.

#3 - Manage your time. Create a schedule for yourself as you would for any project. When life gets busy or you get distracted it can be easy to let things slide so having a written schedule will help keep you on track.

#4 - Track your goals and stay motivated. Use a journal to keep track of your goals journey. This is a great way to also keep track of great ideas you have or helpful tips and tools you come across and want to use later. You can leave voice messages for yourself to help motivate you or to help remind you of things that you need to do.

#5 - Get help when you need it. Be honest with yourself. If part of your goals requires doing something you are not good at, admit it and get assistance from others, even if that means enlisting the help of a coach or consultant.

#6 - Be grateful for what you have already. Although it is important in life to surround yourself with people that you can look up to and that can mentor you, remember, our personal experiences are unique. Don't compare yourself to others and put their heads above your own.

#7 - Review, reevaluate, rewrite. Keep your goals fresh, update them as needed and stay focused.

There is no time like the present! Start today to work on your goals and let your dreams take flight!