How to Avoid Procrastination: Think Concrete

New study finds procrastination is warded off by considering tasks in concrete terms.
those living in technically advanced societies, procrastination has become a 'modern malady'

Summary: how to get things done

1. To avoid procrastinating on a task, focus on its details and use self-imposed deadlines.
2. To stick to a task, while actually carrying it out, now it is beneficial to keep the ultimate, abstract goal in mind.
3. When evaluating progress on a hard task, when the chance of failure is high, stay focused on the details of the task.
4. Once tasks are easier or the end is in sight, a more abstract, goal focus is once again the psychological approach to choose.

http://www.spring.org.uk/2009/01/how-to-avoid-procrastination-think.php