Many people going through divorce dream that they can build a better, happier life for themselves somehow. But beware procrastination, the dream stealer. Human beings have a natural tendency to procrastinate on things they don’t like at the best of times. Combine that procrastination gene with piecing together a new life after divorce and the pace of progress can slow right down to almost a standstill.

When you think about it, there are so many really “fun” tasks that need your attention on the divorce journey. Things like…  re-doing your will and insurance policies. Letting old school friends know you’re now separated. Making sure your divorce papers are final. Opening up new bank accounts and credit lines. These are not exactly the type of tasks that make you want to bounce out of bed in the morning, but they do form the needed groundwork for your new life after divorce.

When you procrastinate, you start to lose your focus. Part of you knows you need to cross that item off your to-do list somehow. Yet another part of you wants to ignore it altogether. In some cases the procrastination may stem from a sense of denial that the divorce is even really happening. As this internal battle of wills wages, your energy drops, taking your self-esteem and confidence with it.

Procrastination can also hit you in more subtle ways. How about going to bed when your body needs rest? Or taking quiet time to refuel yourself or assess your priorities? How about the last time you sat down to plan healthy meals or spend quality time with your children or loved ones?

The journey of a thousand miles truly does begin with a single step. Here are 6 tips to help you tame your procrastination beast. After all, your dreams are too important to let the dream stealer of procrastination sabotage them.

1. Identify Your Procrastination Hot Spots
   Start by identifying the areas in your life where you are most prone to procrastination, or your procrastination hot spots. Is it with your finances, home environment or relationships? Keep brainstorming and writing until you feel complete. You may want to write each item on a separate post-it note to help you to organize your plan of attack. Once you’ve listed your items, review them to make sure each item is as specific and measurable as you can make it.

2. Do It Now
   Looking at your list, or pile of post-it notes, sort your items into various categories. The first category is Do It Now. These are tasks that take less than 5 minutes and can be done immediately. Set aside regular time in your calendar to blast through these items. Keep your list handy, set your timer and then go through your Do It Now items. Be sure to cross them off your list with a big red marker.

3. Delegate
   Next, identify what your Delegate items are. What items can you delegate to someone else or find another way to get them done? Is it the best use of your time and energy to tackle this task or can you outsource it to someone else, thereby giving you better leverage? See if there’s a family member, friend, teenager hungry for some part-time work, or some other pair of hands to whom you can delegate these items.

4. Delete
   The third category is Delete. You could be procrastinating on some of these items because you actually don’t want to do them. It’s better to be honest with yourself and take them off the list instead of feeling guilty for an incomplete item. Do a reality check and get rid of any items that don’t seem to support you with the direction you want your life to go. Keep your perspective on your core priorities and see what you can whittle off your list.

5. Defer
   There may be some items on your list that you do want to accomplish, but not just yet. Perhaps you lack some information. Maybe it’s not time-sensitive and can be scheduled forward in time. Put some realistic date next to each item where you’ll come back and review it again. Is there some aspect of this project you can delegate to someone to get you the information you need so that you can more easily complete it?

6. Reframe Chores into Gifts
   Part of the reason many of us procrastinate is because we view some of handling life’s details as “chores.” As children, our “chores” were things many of us were forced and cajoled to do by our parents. But now we are the grown-ups, right? Bringing that sense of heaviness and reluctance to these important tasks doesn’t serve us well. Reframe these items as gifts you give yourself, instead of chores. With every procrastination hot spot you tame, imagine you’re giving yourself the gift of peace of mind. You’re clearing out the old and making space for the new. See yourself as already having completed the task and how good you’ll feel. Imagine having that confidence, assurance and sense of certainty right now, even before you tackle that hot spot. Getting your mindset lined up with your ultimate goals will help you break out of the procrastination doldrums.