Getting the unpleasantness over first doesn't work for me. I get the easy/fun stuff done, and then I feel like I've actually accomplished something. Then there's less stuff to do, making it more likely I can force myself to do the stuff I don't like.
+1
For things that just don't matter to me housekeeping, yard maintenance, etc. I usually wind up putting things off until something happens (I spill something on the floor... guests coming over, etc.). It's the first step that's the hardest.
+2 A lot of things have a high activation energy.
As for my solution, I found simply taking initiative whenever possible was the best way to stop procrastination. If something needs to be done in 96 hours and should take around 2 hours to do it, why not do it now? Your stress level will go down as there is less work that needs to be done and you be able to procrastinate as work is already done. Planning to do things ahead of when you need to do them is the main tactic involved. Even if you procrastinate, the early planning should make up for it.
That doesn't work for me. I've tried that in my job, and all that happens is the task expands to fill the available time. Even better, the quality of my writing is crap. So I deliberately do the opposite. I deliberately leave things to the last minute and then write whatever I need to write. The quality of my writing is much much better and I don't waste so much time faffing about.
During a typical day at work, I tend to try to steer my procrastination by shifting to stuff that needs to be done and flipping between various tasks to stay interested.
For some of my friends (non-INTPs), they can set up a rewards system with themselves. "If I get this much work done, I can watch tv, have a treat, buy something for myself, etc." This doesn't work with me. I already know that I can have that thing. Why would I withhold it from myself? Similarly, setting a clock 15 minutes ahead doesn't make me early for anything. I just mentally subtract 15 minutes and show up late anyway.
+3 Also, setting artificial deadlines doesn't work either, cos I know they're artificial.
And I recently wrote this at INTPc:
I did well at school and college. Apart from doing the required assignments, I invariably did best if I studied at the last minute. I did try doing the study as I go along technique in first year college and dutifully read the textbook as we went along. Which was fine, till we got to the first exam and I tried to study for it. I couldn't remember the details well enough, but the textbook was too familiar to be able to read it again without getting bored. So I just did last minute study and it was MUCH better.
I did pay attention in lectures, though, and thought about what we were taught. But the formal sit down every night and study thing just didn't work for me.
My maths courses were all open book exams, ie you could take in all your notes and the textbook. More than once, I ended up teaching myself how to do particular integrals or differential equations while actually in the exam. I read and think quickly, which kinda saved my ass in those exams.