Procrastination: The Gentle Art of Moving Forward
Hey Guys!
Let’s talk about something we’ve all struggled with at some point—Procrastination.
It’s that lingering feeling of being stuck, knowing what we need to do but unable to start. Sound familiar?
Recently, I’ve learned that overcoming procrastination isn’t about forcing productivity or diving into a hustle mindset.
Instead, it begins with self-kindness and a mindset shift.
Let’s unpack this together.
Releasing the Blame Cycle
First off, here’s a game-changing realization:
Self-blame (or blaming the world) only deepens the rut. The more we criticize ourselves, the harder it feels to make progress.
What helped me was this reframe: Your current actions aren’t flaws; they’re the natural response of the person you are right now.
And that’s okay.
Once I started observing my habits without judgment, I found space to shift them. It’s like holding up a mirror and saying,
“This is where I am. What can I do next?”
Also, it doesn’t help if we keep comparing our progress with other
Constant comparison can lead to unnecessary stress and self-doubt, distracting us from focusing on our own growth and achievements.
Instead, we should channel that energy into setting personal goals and celebrating our individual milestones.
Reasons Behind Procrastination
When I experience deep procrastination, it’s usually one of two things:
Burnout. My body and mind are waving red flags, asking for a pause.
Overwhelm or Fear. The to-do list feels so massive or the stakes are exaggerated in my mind that I freeze.
Recognizing these patterns has been key for me to breaking free. Now, when I feel stuck, I turn to three simple strategies that have completely changed the game for me.
Three Strategies I Use and Actually Work
Allow Yourself 20 Minutes of Guilt-Free Rest
Sometimes procrastination isn’t laziness—it’s exhaustion. When I hit a wall, I set a timer for 20 minutes and let myself fully rest. No guilt. No pressure. Just pause.
Surprisingly, this little break often recharges me enough to take the next step.Name the Fear or Resistance
Procrastination often hides deeper emotions—fear of failure, perfectionism, or resistance to discomfort.
When I name what I’m feeling (e.g., “I’m scared this won’t be good enough”), it’s like turning on the light in a dark room. Suddenly, it’s not so overwhelming.Start Small with a 15-Minute Task
When the list feels endless, I pick the smallest, simplest task and commit to just 15 minutes. Often, those 15 minutes turn into something longer. But even if they don’t, I’ve still made progress.
The Power of Acceptance and Small Wins
Overcoming procrastination isn’t about pushing harder.
It’s about understanding yourself and working with your current state.
When you accept where you are, you create room for change. And change doesn’t have to be massive—it can be one small win at a time.
The Skill of Resisting Procrastination
But of course, just like I’ve been saying in my articles, almost everything is a skill—including resisting procrastination.
It’s one of those skills that you ought to practice for as long as you have to.
So, if you can’t get it right in the beginning, well, that’s two of us! Don’t worry—you’re not alone. It’s all part of the process.
Your Turn
If you’re feeling stuck right now, here’s a gentle challenge:
Take a deep breath.
Pick one small step you can take today.
Celebrate that step—because progress is progress, no matter how small.
Cheers to growth, kindness, and those tiny, mighty steps forward!
Let me know if any of these resonate with you or if you have your own tips for tackling procrastination. I’d love to hear from you.
Thanks for reading Notes Before Dying! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.
What to Look Out for Next Time
I’ve been reading this book called Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway by Susan Jeffers. It’s a rather old book, but I find it refreshing and timeless.
Next time, I might talk about what I’ve learned from it—specifically, how to overcome fears that keep us from becoming limitless.
This is really interesting! The way you break down procrastination and self-kindness makes so much sense.
I’m actually writing a book on this and working with my publisher to wrap it up soon.
What’s been the biggest mindset shift that helped you personally overcome procrastination? 🤔🔥
I completely agree—it’s definitely a skill that needs to be developed, like training a muscle. For me, reframing my thoughts makes a big difference. Instead of giving in to the “I don’t want to do this” mindset or waiting for motivation, I tell myself, “Let me just start.” Once I begin, I often find myself hyper-focused for hours.