In order to complete anything we need a plan and purpose in order to motivate us to act. As I see it, two factors hinder us from achieving our goals. 1. We don't understand that success breeds success. If we succeed in something we should celebrate this and give ourselves a party. Its an accomplishment even if it was not put to the pen and paper. However, we all know that successful people write it down. A plan gives you the authority and permission to take the first step. So without the plan you will stay in your procrastination state. 2. "Personal Affect" interferes with our ability to control our historically conceived emotions or biases. If someone asks you to celebrate your successes. Your immediate "Affect" reaction or facial expression is to downplay what seems to be a senseless action or assignment. You have now created a self fulfilling prophecy (that can become cyclical if not contained) to fail or ignore excellent advice. (if practiced daily). How will you begin to change your attitude? You will plan, then act on that plan, check it off, celebrate when your done, and move on to the next great accomplishments. Influencing Article:Bandura, A. (1994). Self-efficacy. In V. S. Ramachaudran (Ed.), Encyclopedia of human behavior (Vol. 4, pp. 71-81). New York: Academic Press. (Reprinted in H. Friedman [Ed.], Encyclopedia of mental health. San Diego: Academic Press, 1998).