Attention Procrastination Nation: Turn Doing Nothing into Productivity Power

Ah, procrastination. That sneaky, whispering villain that convinces us to clean our sock drawer, binge-watch another season of our favorite show, or clean behind the refrigerator instead of tackling that project due tomorrow (or, let’s be honest, yesterday). But fear not, my fellow procrastinators-in-arms! There’s hope for all of us. Let’s dig into the roots of procrastination, reclaim our motivation, and make some real progress — before the sun sets on yet another unproductive day.

Truth be told, we are all prone to procrastination from time to time. We opt for preferred tasks over non-preferred ones because they provide quick satisfaction and mask our avoidance with “busyness.”

“Progress is impossible without change, and those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything.” — George Bernard Shaw

Consider these tricks to tackle those avoidant actions that need to get done:

Step 1: Know Thy Enemy

The roots of procrastination run deeper than we think. It’s not laziness (although it might feel that way); it’s fear and anxiety — fear of failure, fear of starting, or fear of change! (Shudder.) The first step to mastering procrastination is recognizing when it strikes and why. If we’re avoiding something, it is worthwhile to ask, Am I overwhelmed? Do I need a plan? Or am I simply afraid of writing the first messy draft?

Spoiler alert: The first draft is always messy.

Step 2: The “Just One Thing” Rule

Nothing crushes motivation faster than staring at a mile-long to-do list. Instead, pick one task and commit to five minutes. Yes, just five! Once we start our engines, momentum kicks in like a turbo boost on a racecar. Before we know it, we’re halfway through our day, leaving procrastination eating our dust.

Step 3: Bribe Yourself Shamelessly

Procrastination loves to woo us with short-term rewards: a nap, a snack, or an Instagram scroll marathon. Beat it at its own game! Create a reward system for completed tasks. Finish that report? Treat yourself to a cookie (or two). Finally clean your inbox? Dance like nobody’s watching. Make progress taste sweeter than procrastination’s empty promises.

Step 4: Embrace Progress Over Perfection

Procrastination feeds on perfectionism. The fear of not doing something perfectly can paralyze us. Here’s the truth: Progress always beats perfection. A messy plan or half-baked draft is still better than no plan or draft. Small steps always lead to a changed circumstance.

Step 5: Laugh at Your Inner Saboteur

Sometimes, we just have to laugh at the absurdity of procrastination and its counter-productivity in our life satisfaction. We can spend copious amounts of time Googling “how to stop procrastinating” instead of, you know, actually starting. (Oh, the irony.) Humor can break the cycle — because, let’s be honest, we’re all a little ridiculous sometimes.

So, next time procrastination tries to seduce, remember: Motivation doesn’t magically appear. We create it by starting, bribing, and laughing our way to progress. Now, go tackle that to-do list… after you fold those socks, of course!

Like what you’re reading? Want more consciously prepared brain food?

Listen to this Harvesting Happiness episode: Mastering Motivation and Productivity: Exploring the Roots of Procrastination with Dr. Patricia Zurita Ona PsyD or wherever you get your podcasts.

Take an even deeper dive with More Mental Fitness by Harvesting Happiness on Substack and Medium.

GUEST BIO: Dr. Patricia Zurita Ona, known as Dr. Z, is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist in California. She is dedicated to helping people get unstuck from fear-based reactions and live the life they want to live. In 2019, Dr. Z was nominated as a Fellow of the Association of Contextual Behavioral Sciences (ACBS).

Her latest book is Acceptance and Commitment Skills for Perfectionism and High-Achieving Behaviors.