What's the first step in overcoming procrastination?

Many people wallow in unproductive procrastination because they never manage to get past even the first step in beating their procrastination habit. What is this first step?

Admitting that you have a problem - admitting that you procrastinate!

You actually have to acknowledge that you procrastinate and that it's a real problem for you. You have to acknowledge on a tangible level that you put things off that you need to be doing and that this habit is having real, concrete negative effects on your life - robbing you of time, making you do a last minute, inadequate rush job on important tasks, and adding massive amounts of stress to your life. Procrastination is a very real problem in many people's lives and, much like other psychological issues like drug and alcohol addiction, the first step on the road to recovery is admitting you have a problem. Once the problem is out in the open, you can start making real steps towards change. Don't blame yourself, or beat yourself because you procrastinate - it doesn't mean you're a bad or worthless person! It just means you have a few mental blocks that need to be removed so you can get on with getting things done. So don't put your head in the sand about your procrastination and keep letting it silently ruin your life - admit you have a problem, then start doing something about it!