We all know that guilt-fuelled feeling—the one that creeps in when a task sits untouched for too long. My to-do list was full of good intentions: write that article, start the workout plan, launch the side hustle. But instead? I’d find myself deep in a YouTube rabbit hole or reorganising the spice rack. If you’re trying to get rid of procrastination, trust me—you’re not alone. Classic behaviour.
Let’s be honest. We’ve all done it. The real question is: how do you get rid of procrastination when it’s quietly sabotaging your time, goals, and peace of mind?
Why We Procrastinate (It’s Not Just Laziness)
Here’s something I didn’t fully understand until recently—procrastination isn’t a sign of laziness. More often than not, it’s tied to fear, perfectionism, or the inner tug-of-war between who we are now and who we hope to become. Psychologists explain it like this: our future self sets the big, inspiring goals, but our present self craves comfort and instant gratification. So while “learn a new skill” sounds productive and exciting, it’s a lot easier in the moment to scroll Instagram or reorganise a sock drawer. We also tend to overwhelm ourselves with vague, unstructured tasks, wait for the panic of a looming deadline to kick us into gear, or stall out entirely because we’re afraid of failing—or succeeding. Sometimes, we can’t even decide where to begin, so we don’t start at all. And honestly? That was me, for longer than I’d like to admit.
1. Start With a Smart To-Do List
One of the biggest shifts that helped me beat procrastination was ditching the chaotic brain dumps and switching to a smarter to-do list. Now, every night before bed, I spend just ten minutes planning the next day. I limit myself to five or six tasks max, put them in order of priority, and commit to starting with task number one first thing in the morning. This simple structure—borrowed from productivity experts—keeps me focused and prevents overwhelm. If something doesn’t get done, no shame—it just rolls over to the next day. The secret? A smaller list actually increases your chances of getting things done. When your to-do list feels doable, you’re much more likely to tackle it instead of avoiding it entirely.
2. Use the Eisenhower Box to Prioritise
If you’ve ever looked at your to-do list and felt like everything was urgent, you’re not alone. That’s when I discovered the Eisenhower Matrix—a tool that helped me sort the chaos into clear priorities. It breaks tasks into four categories: urgent and important (do these now), important but not urgent (schedule them), urgent but not important (delegate if you can), and not urgent or important (delete without guilt). Once I started using this system, I stopped letting my day be hijacked by urgency and started focusing on what truly mattered. It helped me shift from reacting to everything to working with clarity and intention—especially on those days that felt like one big fire drill.
3. Eat the Frog First
Mark Twain said it best: “Eat a live frog first thing in the morning, and nothing worse will happen to you the rest of the day.”
Your “frog” is your hardest, most impactful task. I started knocking out the hardest thing before noon, and the rest of the day felt like a win.
Try This: Identify your frog the night before. Wake up and just do it—no negotiations.
4. Break It Down (Seriously, Make It Tiny)
Starting is often the hardest part, which is why breaking a task into bite-sized pieces has been a total game-changer for me. I used to stare at “write an article” on my to-do list and feel instantly overwhelmed. But once I started breaking it down—brainstorm the topic, do quick research, draft the intro, write the body, edit, then publish—it suddenly felt manageable. Smaller steps make it easier to begin, and once you start, momentum tends to carry you forward. That’s the magic: every little piece you complete builds confidence, and that confidence slowly replaces procrastination. A quick tip? Just commit to five minutes. That tiny start is often all you need to keep going.
5. Build a Routine That Works For You
Some people thrive in the morning, while others get a second wind at night. I discovered I’m most productive between 8 and 11 a.m., so I structured my day around that window.
If you’re trying to get rid of procrastination, building a routine that matches your energy is key. Routines reduce the mental effort of starting—and that’s half the battle.
Pro Tip: Stack habits. Pair your writing session with coffee or a playlist to build a rhythm.
Key Takeaways
Procrastination isn’t a personal flaw—it’s usually a signal that something feels too big, too vague, or just too intimidating to start. The good news? You can shift the narrative. When you prioritise your tasks wisely, focus on one thing at a time, set realistic goals, and create systems that align with your natural energy patterns, you take back control. Instead of letting procrastination quietly drain your time and momentum, you start making progress—and that progress builds real confidence.
Final Thoughts: It’s Not About Hustling—It’s About Progress
You don’t have to be hyper-productive to get rid of procrastination. You just need to start. Choose one task. Break it down. Celebrate the win.
Progress is momentum. And momentum feels really good.
Start now—even if it’s just one tiny thing.
