As I promised last month, here is a column on procrastination.

I’ve had all month to write it and while it’s not quite the eleventh hour, it’s close.

I’m writing a book too, but that’s not as advanced as I hoped it would be by this time. What stops me writing? In fact, what stops me doing all sorts of things until the last minute? Why am I easily distracted?

My procrastination is no doubt rooted in childhood. Could it be that nothing was good enough for adults? Why finish something when it wouldn't be as perfect, as demanded?

Fortunately, I have rarely been bothered about something not being ‘perfect', but there may be an element of , “why bother, it won’t be right.” I certainly delayed finishing the first book, being overwhelmed by feelings of fear of failure and “who do you think you are, thinking you can write a book?”

That’s not happening as I write the second book, but I still procrastinate. The upside? Cupboards and drawers have been de-cluttered, garden tidied, admin is up to date, there’s no pile of ironing and 20lbs of homemade marmalade are in the cupboard.

A family joke is that I have "the attention span of a flea".

In many ways, it hasn't been a hindrance, in that adaptability and spontaneity can be helpful at times. But there are other times, when not completing tasks or leaving jobs to the last minute has been a pain and I probably, no, definitely, could have been more successful in various ventures through my life.

Excuses?

1. I’m a Gemini. Geminis have 'butterfly minds'. Really? All them?

2. I had a head injury when I was a toddler. Well, there you are. Damage to my frontal cortex. Just think, I could have been a grade 'A' student, but for that accident. Unlikely.

3. It’s genetic and as part of my personal make-up as my height and eye colour are. I can't change it. Nature or nurture?

4. I'm a woman. Women multi-task.

So, there are some of my excuses and there's nothing I can do about them.

"It's not my fault".

Whoopee! I can carry on in the same old ways.

Wrong! Excuses or reasons? They may be possible reasons for procrstination, but they should not be used as excuses.

As an adult, I could take responsibility for my behaviour and learn how to change it. After all, isn't adaptability one of my resources?

I have learnt managing strategies over the years. Breaking up tasks into small pieces of time makes me far more productive.

Taking rewards inbetween the tasks, such as meal breaks, reading, social networking and TV is helpful. My timetable isn’t unlike those we had at school. It helps me and it may help you.

Column finished. Now what treat shall I have?

- Rita Leaman is a psychotherapist and writer who lives in North Yorkshire. As Alison R Russell, she is the author of ‘Are You Chasing Rainbows?’ www.chasingrainbows.org.uk