I am a BIG procrastinator, and I don't think that it helps at all becuse then there are a ton of further things sitting on your head, causing more fear and the like.

I have, however, come up with a strategy that works (when I choose to implement it). People swear by lists. Now so do I, but those are usually packing lists so that when I am packing at the absolute last minute, there is some semblance of order and the important things don't let left behind.

"To do" lists, on the other hand, don't work for me, at least not the conventional kind. My strategy is to write a "To do" list on an index card (yes, I've been using them for years, before this index card PDA craze started), but leave the list blank. At the end of the day, I write down whatever I have done that day that has some sort of importance at all, whether it is work related or not, such as: went to the gym, did laundry, started article, etc. I can also then check them off at the end of the day because they are already done (!). I know this sounds silly, but feeling that you have accomplished SOMETHING in a day makes it easier to accomplish more the next day. And then you don't feel so bad about giving yourself rewards.