Writer Oliver Burkeman was once a master of procrastination. Many years ago Helen Pidd worked at the desk opposite him and would watch him spend the day doing anything but writing, until, with a few hours to go before his deadline, he would finally knuckle down and begin. He says with every new deadline he would swear he would start earlier – but never did.

Now, he says he has managed to finally stop this behaviour with a surprising method – which he calls “standing in the shed”. This he says is, when you have a huge task you are putting off – such as clearing out your shed. The most important thing to do is take a tiny first step. Even imagining yourself doing it, or just going to stand in the messy shed is enough.

It’s a simple idea with many applications. For instance, if you have a generous impulse, act on it immediately, rather than throwing yourself into a grand gesture which you may never finish. And above all, remember that if you stop trying to be perfect and control every aspect of your life you might find more things to delight in.

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