Melvin:
With regard to procrastination, consider this: we seldom postpone that which we really want to do. On the other hand, the human experience is decidedly curious and sometimes we all engage in self-defeating behavior. If you're procrastinating, you may secretly be fearing failure. Or you may actually be dreading success--it's a perverse quality of our natures that sometimes we convince ourselves not to succeed because we're worried about the responsibilities that come with that success.
The underlying reasons for your procrastination are perhaps best for you to decide for yourself. Luckily, the cure is easier: set a goal, write it down, tell somebody else you're that going to do it (and by a certain time), and stick the note somewhere where you've got to see it.
We're all a tad schizophrenic and way too forgiving of ourselves. Every time you see the note, remind yourself that you're the person who wrote it, and that you're damn well going to keep this promise to yourself. Ask the person you told your goal to check back and make sure you've started on it (or completed it if it's a little one). No excuses! If you've got an older sister, she'd be perfect for that! 
In short, make it easier to do what you've decided to do than to postpone it.
Do this a few times and you'll break the procrastination habit. But don't let yourself off easily if you start to fall back into postponing things. Go through the whole ritual again and remind yourself it just isn't like you to procrastinate.
Look for my comments elsewhere on this forum about learning the system--I'm far from an expert yet.
--George
