If there is anything that you are procrastinating about then break your task into something small.
Go ridiculously small; so small that you can’t argue that you don’t have time, or you can’t make the effort. I’m talking ‘write one sentence’, ‘work out the desired outcome for the meeting’, ‘find the phone number’, ‘step out of the front gate’, ‘paint one shape.’ You get the picture ☺️.
You can use this tip in a work or home setting. In a work situation where you have tighter deadlines, you may have to regroup after a short break to start small again until you build up some momentum.
I also use this ‘small’ approach whenever I want to establish a new habit. For instance, I do yoga every morning. And while it would be awesome to have an extensive yoga routine, I just commit to doing 3 Salute to the Sun sequences each morning. I’ve timed it, and it takes me all of 2 minutes. Who doesn’t have 2 minutes? Some days if I feel inclined, I add a few other poses, but if I only have time and energy for those 3 rounds then that’s enough. My intention is to reap benefit over the long term, rather than a flash in the pan and then nothing (like those well-intentioned gym memberships ☺️).
The idea is that by going small, it takes away the pressure and any paralysis you may feel when you think about the big thing that you eventually want to achieve. Also, once you have started something, you’re more likely to keep going (if only just a little longer). At the end of the day, something is better than nothing. It is progress. And it demonstrates that you can do whatever you’re wanting to do. You can show up and follow through. You’ve got this. I know you can do it.
So, what’s one small thing you can start today?
I hope that you have found this tip useful. May it inspire you to overcome your resistance to starting on something that’s important to you.
If you got a lot out of this tip and want more Procrastination Buster tips, I’ve got you covered in 3 ways.
- Check out the How to Overcome Procrastination resource guide where I walk you through the difference between procrastination and the resistance to starting and how you can overcome both of them.
2. Get the Procrastination Buster Handbook in a single re-edited and easy-to-read ebook format. Also includes an A4 summary tip sheet to download to hang in your workspace and quickly refer to whenever you need.
This handbook contains the complete collection of Procrastination Buster Tips, plus 8 new tips that haven’t been publicly released here nor on social media.
3. Access the Procrastination Buster Framework 2 page quick guide and Training. Coming Thursday June 2025. Join the Inner Creative Inspo list to be the first to know details.
Frustration and dread can now be a thing of the past.
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