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 know until recently: procrastination isn’t about being lazy. In fact, it’s often rooted in fear, perfectionism, or the simple tug-of-war between our present and future selves.

Psychologists explain it like this—our future self sets the goals, but our present self prefers instant gratification. So while “learn a new skill” sounds amazing in theory, scrolling Instagram feels a lot easier in the moment.

We also tend to:

• Overwhelm ourselves with big, unstructured tasks
• Wait for the pressure of a looming deadline
• Fear failure (or even success!)
• Struggle with decision-making, so we never begin at all

Sound familiar? It did for me, too.

1. Start With a Smart To-Do List

One of my biggest game-changers was setting up a meaningful to-do list, not just a chaotic brain dump. Each night, I take 10 minutes to plan the next day:

• I write down just 5–6 tasks.
• I order them by importance.
• I tackle task #1 first thing in the morning.

This method, borrowed from productivity legends, keeps my day focused. Anything I don’t finish rolls over to the next day.

2. Use the Eisenhower Box to Prioritise

Ever feel like everything on your list is urgent? Try the Eisenhower Matrix. It helps you filter your tasks into four zones:

• Urgent and Important → Do now
• Important but Not Urgent → Schedule for later
• Urgent but Not Important → Delegate
• Not Urgent or Important → Delete

If you’re looking to get rid of procrastination, this method cuts through the noise. Once I started using it, I stopped reacting to chaos and started working with purpose. It’s perfect when your day feels like a 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.

4. Break It Down (Seriously, Make It Tiny)

Starting is the hardest part. That’s why shrinking a task into bite-sized pieces helps. Writing an article used to feel overwhelming—until I broke it into:

• Brainstorm topic
• Do quick research
• Draft intro
• Write body
• Edit & finalise
• Publish

Smaller tasks are easier to start and complete. Momentum builds confidence, and confidence kills procrastination.

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.

Key Takeaways

Procrastination happens to all of us—it’s not a flaw, it’s a signal. Usually, it’s telling you something feels too big, unclear, or scary. But when you:

• Prioritise wisely
• Tackle one task at a time
• Make your goals realistic
• Build systems around your energy

You stop letting procrastination steal your time.

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.