How to Stop Procrastination In Its Tracks
We all know procrastination isn’t helping us. It steals time, kills momentum, and chips away at the sense of fulfillment we long for. Yet somehow, its traps are all too easy to fall into.
If procrastination is the opposite of living deliberately, then how do we short-circuit its siren call and get back on track?
The first step is recognizing why we procrastinate. For most of us, procrastination has more to do with our thinking patterns than we realise. Understanding your personal “procrastination style” is the key to overcoming it.
So, which of these sounds most like you?
1. The Pleasure-Seeker: “Other things are just more fun”
For you, procrastination happens because other things just seem more fun. The most enjoyable option tends to win out, and as a result, the work sits undone.
Idea: Try visualising how satisfying it would be to enjoy that fun activity after completing the task that’s hanging over your head. Imagine the freedom and satisfaction of playing guilt-free.
2. The High-Jumper: “I’m overwhelmed by my own expectations”
You set the bar sky-high. Your expectations are so intense that you fear you won’t meet them. It’s overwhelming, and procrastination gives you an escape from the fear of failure.
Idea: Reflect on your past successes. How many times have you faced a similar challenge and managed to rise to the occasion? I’ve learned to remind myself, “You won’t be any smarter or more inspired later—you’ll just have less time!”
3. The Newbie: “I don’t even know where to start”
The task in front of you feels bigger, newer, or more complex than anything you’ve tackled before. You don’t know where to start, so you freeze.
Idea: Sit down and write out what you already know how to do and what you might need to research or ask for help with. Sometimes, the next step is as simple as calling someone who’s been there before.
4. The Power-Holder: “Oh you want it right now? Good luck with that.”
You pride yourself on being in control, and procrastination feeds that sense of independence. Even if the task is something you want to do, delaying it feels like asserting your authority over your own time.
Idea: Reflect on how completing the task will actually give you more control. Getting it done frees you up to focus on what matters most and puts you in the driver’s seat of your future.
5. The Big-Thinker: “Details - I can’t even”
You’re full of great ideas. Vision isn’t the problem—it’s execution that trips you up. The details of making something happen feel exhausting and overwhelming.
Idea: Equip yourself with practical tools and systems for handling the details. David Allen’s Getting Things Done is an excellent framework for turning vision into action, and tools like Evernote or Wunderlist can make organizing the details easier.
How to Overcome Procrastination
Whatever your procrastination style, the good news is you don’t have to stay stuck. Here’s how to take back control of your time and energy:
Recognize your style. Understanding the thought patterns behind your procrastination is the first step to overcoming it.
Short-circuit counterproductive thinking. Interrupt the excuses and mental blocks that keep you stuck by reframing the task in a way that motivates you.
Replace procrastination with deliberate choices. Instead of defaulting to avoidance, make a conscious decision to take the next step—even if it’s a small one.
Living deliberately means refusing to let procrastination steal your potential. So, what’s one step you can take today to move forward?