No matter how tight the deadline for a particular project, it seems that someone on your team will always find a way to procrastinate. Procrastination is often misinterpreted as laziness, but theorists think it has a number of internal causes, including exhaustion and being overwhelmed by the environment. Tasks that are too difficult, or even too easy, can also grind someone’s productivity to a cold halt. Fortunately, there are a few methods for dealing with procrastination:

Break It Down

If a task seems too impossibly massive, break it into manageable chunks. In order to make sure those chunks get done, set deadlines. A system of rewards for completing each segment can also motivate even the most dedicated procrastinator.

Don’t Think Too Much

Plunging right into a task is a good way of getting it done; thinking too much about something before you actually do it can become its own kind of trap. Setting a self-imposed deadline, or telling a friend or colleague to prod you into action after a set date, is likewise effective for moving forward.

Change Where You Work

If you want to break out of old habits (re: not working), switching workspaces—or re-ordering your current workspace—can serve as that jolt of energy you’ll finally need to do so.

Keep It Simple

Do you procrastinate because you feel overwhelmed? Diagram out what you’ll need to complete, and see what unessential elements you can snip away; once you pare things down, you might find yourself more motivated to tackle the task.