Procrastination is the feeling when you should be doing one thing but actually are doing another, usually an easier task. This is normal and a common experience. People are not machines, and sometimes you might not have the mental resources, motivation or other things you need to carry on with the task. When procrastination starts to feel like a common thing and it’s having an impact on your well-being, it’s good to assess: is the task actually that important? Why do I need it done? (Why is that? And why is that?)

If you’ve understood why the task needs to be done and it is the most important thing you should be working on next, but you still find yourself doing something else, the next step is to start monitoring yourself. Am I currently at the capacity to carry on with the task? Does it feel too overwhelming? Is it clear what needs to be done next? Can the task be split so that it’s more clear? What I’m feeling right now? What I’m thinking right now? What do I think I will feel when I start doing the task?

When you’ve assessed your current status and have some idea of what’s coming, it’s time to try it out. Start doing the thing and try to notice any friction that might come up. How does it feel? Sometimes the friction is not even there, and the biggest thing holding you back was your expectation of the friction. Other times the friction is there at the start, keep noticing it while doing the task. Try to approach it with curiosity.

If are not under a deadline, don’t try to overreach with doing the task. The key is routine. Even fifteen minutes working on a thing every day gets things moving. You can worry about ”scaling up” later.

Structured Procrastination
Eating the elephant