What’s this invisible force that compels us to tackle the trivial while the significant languishes?
That task looming, the deadline approaching, yet somehow, you find yourself watching cat videos on YouTube or suddenly needing to find out the newest TikTok trend.
Why is it that the things we know are important often get pushed to the bottom of the to-do list?
That, in a nutshell, is procrastination – the difference between intention and inaction.
Here are some ways I try to stop myself from marinating in the depths of procrastination.
Just get started
This is the easiest yet hardest advice.
You can’t finish until you start, so get good at starting. Once you begin, momentum often builds.
Engagement also fuels action. As you invest a little effort, you’ll naturally want to nurture and improve what you’ve begun.
I used to put off building this website for months on end – now, I’m opening my site builder at least 5x a day because I want to perfect what I created and started.
Find a way to connect with the task, to see its value or potential, and let you get invested in it.
Do it immediately if it takes less than 15 minutes
For small tasks, the best way to get ready is to do it immediately.
These little things can accumulate and create a sense of being overwhelmed.
Knocking them out right away frees up mental space and prevents them from snowballing.
You can apply this for major projects too. When you are stuck or overwhelmed, focus on the smallest possible thing that moves your project forward.
After all, slow progress is still a million times better than no progress. Let’s learn to be patient – consistency trumps intensity in the long run.
Even small, regular efforts compound over time and lead to significant results. Don’t get discouraged by not seeing immediate breakthroughs.
Keep chipping away!
Improve your worst days
For steady satisfaction, work on improving your worst days, rather than your best days.
We all have good days where productivity flows easily. The real gains come from making your less productive days better.
By focusing on establishing consistent habits and minimising setbacks, you create a more reliable foundation for progress.
Act quickly on new ideas
You have five minutes to act on a new idea before it disappears from your mind. That initial spark of inspiration is often fleeting.
Capture it, jot it down, or take the first small step towards exploring it immediately.
Otherwise, it risks fading away amidst the demands of daily life.
Prioritise effectively
What is important is seldom urgent and what is urgent is seldom important.
To get the important stuff done, avoid the demands of the urgent. Learn to distinguish between tasks that truly contribute to your long-term goals and those that simply demand immediate attention.
Schedule time for the important, non-urgent tasks before they become urgent crises.
Think long-term, act short-term
Think in terms of decades, and act in terms of days.
Have a clear vision of your long-term aspirations, but focus your daily actions on the steps that will get you there.
This blend of long-term perspective and short-term execution keeps you aligned with your goals while maintaining consistent progress.
All the best!
Always Yours,
Val