| Three Simple Steps to Break Your Habit of Procrastination Are you tired of calling yourself a procrastinator and feeling weighed down by things you keep putting off? You’re not alone! As we hit the midpoint of the year, distractions and shifting schedules can pull us away from our most important commitments. Pay attention to this: Procrastination is a habit, not your identity. What’s Really Behind Procrastination? Most of us have put things off at one time or another. The problem isn’t your desire because you know you want the result. The goal of getting healthier, writing your book, organizing your space, or finally starting that business is important to you. The issue is the discomfort that comes with starting. You may feel uncertainty, perfectionism creeping in, or even fear as you approach that first step. Our minds are clever: we seek quick relief by doing something else, and for a moment, the pressure lifts. But soon, the weight returns, and it’s even heavier than before. Procrastination is short-term relief. But the desire and project are still there. What is made possible for us when we shift our perspective? Instead of labeling ourselves as procrastinators, let’s recognize that this is simply a habit we’ve picked up. Habits can be changed. Three Steps to Break Your Procrastination Habit 1. Create a Clear Next Step Vague commitments like “I want to get healthy” or “I need to get organized” are overwhelming. Your mind doesn’t know where to begin. It just feels like too much! Break your goals into micro steps. Instead of “record the podcast,” I might start with “outline the topic.” If your goal is to exercise, maybe your next step is as simple as “put on your sneakers” or “walk for 10 minutes.” Make your micro steps so small and clear that your brain can’t resist them! Tip: When the next step is clear and doable, your nervous system feels safe enough to begin. Movement changes energy, and energy builds momentum. 2. Remove the Exits Most procrastination happens because we create easy escapes. Is your phone within reach? Inbox open? TV on? All of these are exit ramps that allow you to leave the discomfort before you’ve truly given yourself a chance to begin. Remove distractions: ➡️Put your phone in another room ➡️Close your email and browser tabs ➡️Tell those around you you’ll need some uninterrupted time ➡️Clear the clutter from your desk I often give myself a simple choice: do the task, or do nothing. No scrolling, no cleaning, no emails. Just sit doing nothing or begin the task. When my only options are start or sit in silence, I usually find that starting feels far better! 3. Create a Runway of Time Are you trying to fit important work into the scraps of your day? If you only give yourself a few minutes between commitments, there’s rarely enough time for your mind to settle and shift into focus. Give your commitments a protected runway: ✔️Put dedicated time on your calendar ✔️Make it realistic and manageable (it doesn’t have to be hours!) ✔️Treat this time as non-negotiable Your brain needs enough space to move through initial resistance. Action always comes before motivation, not the other way around. Stop Calling Yourself a Procrastinator The more you tell yourself, “I’m just a procrastinator,” the more your mind believes it. Let’s interrupt that pattern! You’re simply a person who’s developed a habit. a habit you can change. Remember these steps: 🗝️Create a clear next step 🗝️Remove the exits 🗝️Create a runway of uninterrupted time Each micro step you take builds self-trust. Every time you show up for what matters, you strengthen the relationship you have with yourself. Your Next Step Choose just one thing that still matters to you and take the first micro step. Remove a few distractions, create a little runway, and begin. The ripple effect of one small action is powerful. If this helped you see procrastination in a new light, share this post with someone who needs the reminder. And remember: You matter. What you do matters. Everything you do is important because you did it. Keep moving toward your something better one small step at a time. Listen to the full podcast episode Three Steps to Break Your Habit of Procrastination on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Amazon Music. Find more inspiration and tools in our community! Join the This Life or Something Better Facebook group for ongoing support. |
