Hi,
As you may expect, I also face a huge problem with procrastination.
It hasn't always been a real issue since the work was done, even in a hurry, when i was kept in a structure (university, newspapers, etc.). Since the job was ok, people would let me do it on my way. It was just hard for me to live, but, eh, exciting too. And i could always think: What if i had had a bit more time? That would have been perfect! (promising myself an ealier start the next time...)
But, with time, it really becomes an issue (and i'm just talking about work...). For me, it's more obvious since i work on my own - something i really wanted to do in my life - with a view to realising stuff 'i have always dreamed to realise". Believe me, you can get extremely tired by continually canceling deadlines, fighting with yourself everyday, disappointing people and yourself, leaving a story for new one...
... I guess i could speak about this for hours but, since this forum is about tips, and to make it short, i would just give two tips woking for me, knowing that any production of a paper is based on various steps - including collecting the information, defining an approach and, yes, defining a structure, be it conscious or not.
So, a structure. It's really not in my nature to work on a structure (aufs klo), but it helps to start writing and to get a good paper. How do i do? I just write the key elements of the text. Maybe it will only take a few minutes, maybe you will already identify a problem. And then, you may just stare at it or do something else, but some kind of structure should appear, even a basic one. This would give you the impulsion for the next step (writing).
With regards to writing, you say you do it at the very last moment. Well, again this is not natural for me, but it works much better if i impose myself at least a draft with long hand. This draft, you cannot write it the night before, you have to write it earlier. I impose long hand because i wouldn't play the game on the computer, not considering the text as a draft. While on a paper, well, it can only be a draft.
There you feel free and can have a real pleasure by writing. One idea comes after the other one, and it doesn't need to follow the proposed structure - which is only there to help.
Well, you made it. You sleep on it. You work on a new structure for the final document. You turn on your computer and will feel much more confortable, more precise, etc.
Well, it can also be much more complicated, but hope this can help!