A wise co-worker once pointed out that while many companies include the phrase “can do attitude” in their job descriptions, it’s actually people with a “will do attitude” who make the most valuable contributions to their company’s bottom line. It’s not enough to say “sure, I could build a faster server” or “yes, I can design a better logo” if you don’t follow through on those promises.

Some people get stuck in brainstorming mode because it’s fun to come up with ideas and a lot harder to implement them. Others get mired in red tape because they work at a big company where decisions require multiple sign-offs and frequent meetings rehash the same issues week after week, which isn’t very conducive to productivity, let alone innovation. So, how can you become the type of worker who says “will do” instead of simply “can do”?

1. Surround yourself with “will do” people. If you were training for a marathon or trying to stop smoking, you’d find people who had similar goals so that you could support each other (and so you wouldn’t be tempted to bum a smoke off them). The same goes for professional goals: hanging out with people who are productive and focused will help you emulate those qualities. You won’t waste time with discussions about America’s Next Top Model or debates over whether you should use Access or Excel to organize your data. True, you seldom get to choose your coworkers, but finding friends or a mentor with this quality can help, too.

2. Negotiate bonuses for breaking sales goals, beating deadlines, or otherwise kicking butt. As they say, money talks, and it’s one of the best motivators around. Visualizing the iPhone or the Kate Spade purse you plan to buy will help bring you closer to your goal. What if management won’t give me a bonus? you ask. Create your own incentive plan. Make a deal with yourself that if you surpass standards, you’ll treat yourself to a new pair of shoes or dinner at that new restaurant you’re dying to try. Then follow-through.

3. Create micro-deadlines for yourself. If you think “we have the next three months to compile customer data and write a marketing plan,” it’s easy to justify spending two months surfing the web and one month trying to catch up. Instead, set benchmarks for yourself to break a big project into smaller, more manageable steps. If your company sets vague timelines (”we’re planning to launch sometime in the fall, maybe October”), then this is even more important for you to complete your part of the project without falling prey to the lackadaisical attitudes around you.

4. Remember the rush you get from meeting a challenge. Think back to when you finished your college applications or ran your first marathon. It felt pretty good, huh? You’ll get that same feeling when you finish a tough project. Even if you don’t have a bonus at stake, if you’re invested in what you do, you can’t help but feel a sense of accomplishment (and possibly relief).

5. Choose projects that excite you. This is key. If you’re not invested in what you’re doing, then you’re probably just going through the motions. Find something you actually want to do, and you’ll do it faster and better. Say someone asked me to write an article about car maintenance. Not only would I do a crappy job, but I’d put it off until a few days before the deadline, because I’d dread the research and the negative response from my editor. This is why I don’t write about cars. If, on the other hand, you asked me to write about movies or music, I’d be all over it.