How to Finally Stop Procrastinating and Get Things Done
You know that one thing you’ve been putting off forever? The thing that sits in the back of your mind, making you feel guilty every time you think about it? Yeah, let’s talk about that.
We all do it. We all have that one task (or maybe several) that we keep avoiding. And the funny thing? We’ll do literally anything else instead. Suddenly, organizing the junk drawer, scrubbing the bathtub, or researching some random topic at 1 AM seems more important than the thing we actually need to do.
So why do we procrastinate? More importantly, how do we stop?
Why We Put Things Off
A few weeks ago, someone messaged me, completely overwhelmed. She had just moved into a new place—something she had been excited about for so long—but when she saw all her stuff piled up in the living room, she froze. She couldn’t bring herself to unpack. Instead, she would leave the house just to avoid looking at the mess.
Sound familiar?
This is what happens when something feels too big or too hard—our brains freak out, and we avoid it. We justify it with excuses. (I’m too tired. I don’t have time. I’ll start fresh on Monday.) But the truth? The task itself isn’t the problem. The size of the task is.
The Key to Breaking the Cycle
If you’re stuck in procrastination mode, ask yourself two simple questions:
What is procrastinating on this task costing me?
Be honest. Is it costing you peace of mind? Confidence? The ability to move forward with something important? Write it down.What will become possible if I actually do this?
Instead of focusing on how much it sucks to start, focus on the relief and freedom that will come from getting it done.
These two questions will snap you out of avoidance mode and help you see the bigger picture.
Start Smaller Than You Think
Now, here’s where most people go wrong. They realize they need to take action, and then they go way too big.
"I need to declutter my entire house this weekend."
"I have to start working out five days a week."
"I’m going to stop eating sugar forever."
No. That’s why you’re procrastinating in the first place! The goal is too big, and your brain shuts down.
Instead, scale it waaaay down.
Instead of “I need to organize my whole house,” say, “I’m going to open one drawer and remove five things every day for the next 21 days.”
Instead of “I need to get back to the gym,” say, “I’m going to stretch for five minutes today.”
Instead of “I have to drink eight glasses of water,” say, “I’ll add one extra glass a day to my usual.”
Five minutes. One small action. No pressure. Just start.
Why This Works
I learned this lesson years ago with working out. Before I got consistent, I was that person who would say, “I’ll start next week,” and then… not start.
Then I joined a group of moms who worked out together at the park. At first, I was just going for the social part. But then something clicked. I kept showing up, and before I knew it, I wasn’t just exercising—I was enjoying it. It became a habit, something I looked forward to instead of something I dreaded.
That’s how all habits work. They feel impossible at first, but if you do them in small, manageable ways, they become second nature.
The Trick to Making It Stick
If you want to stop procrastinating and actually follow through, try this:
Set a ridiculously small goal. Smaller than you think. The kind of goal that makes you say, “Okay, that’s easy, I can do that.”
Attach it to something you already do. (While waiting for your coffee to brew, delete five photos from your phone. While brushing your teeth, stretch for 30 seconds.)
Stick with it for 21 days. Give your brain time to adjust before making the goal bigger.
Ignore the urge to go all in too soon. (Yes, five minutes might seem insignificant, but trust me—it’s how you build momentum.)
Final Thoughts
If you’re waiting for the perfect time to start, it’s not coming. The big chunk of free time you think you’ll have next week? It won’t happen.
But if you start small today—just five minutes—you’ll finally break the cycle. You’ll build confidence. You’ll prove to yourself that you can take action. And before you know it, you’ll be that person who just gets things done.
So, tell me—what’s the one thing you’ve been procrastinating on? And what’s your first small step going to be?
Written by Sona Avetisyan
