You know that feeling when you’ve got a to-do list longer than a Great Dane’s legs, but suddenly reorganising your sock drawer becomes urgent? Yeah, me too. Welcome to Procrastination Station—where we all have a first-class ticket to Getting Nothing Done.
The good news? You’re not alone. The even better news? I’ve got some tried-and-tested tricks to help you ditch the distractions and actually get stuff done. No judgment here—just some friendly nudges (and maybe a gentle shove) in the right direction.
The Two-Minute Rule
If something takes less than two minutes, just do it now. Answer that email, book that appointment, wipe down that coffee spill before it becomes a permanent feature of your desk. The tiny things add up, and before you know it, you’ll feel like an unstoppable productivity machine (or at least a slightly less overwhelmed human).
The Five-Minute Action Plan
The hardest part of any task? Starting. So instead of thinking about the whole thing (which usually leads to panic and scrolling Instagram for “research”), commit to just five minutes. Set a timer, start the task, and when the alarm goes off, you have permission to stop. Spoiler: you probably won’t want to, because by then, you’ll be in the flow. Sneaky, right?
Done is Better Than Perfect
Raise your hand if you’ve ever avoided something because you wanted to do it perfectly? (Yep, I see you.) Here’s the deal: perfection is a lie. Progress is what actually gets things moving. Write the messy draft, send the email that isn’t poetry, post the content that isn’t 100% groundbreaking—just get it done. You can always tweak it later if you really must.
Time Blocking with Rewards
Ever tried the Pomodoro Technique? It’s where you set a timer for 25–30 minutes, work solidly, then take a five-minute break (which is not an invitation to fall into a TikTok vortex, by the way). It tricks your brain into focusing because there’s a break coming up, and suddenly, tasks don’t feel endless. Reward yourself with a cuppa, a dog cuddle, or, I dunno, a quick happy dance.
Brain Dump: Clear the Mental Clutter
Overthinking everything to the point where you do… nothing? Welcome to Analysis Paralysis—population: you. The fix? Write everything down. Get the to-dos, the worries, the “what ifs” out of your head and onto paper (or a notes app). Then prioritise what actually matters instead of spending three hours thinking about what you should be doing.
Decision Deadlines (No More Waffling!)
If you spend forever agonising over decisions—what to post, what to charge, which font looks less “meh”—set a deadline. Give yourself 10 minutes, max, to make a choice and move on. The more you practice quick decisions, the less you’ll get stuck in that fun little loop of indecision and regret.
Get an Accountability Buddy
Sometimes, you just need someone to nag you (in the most loving way, of course). Tell a friend, mentor, or fellow business buddy one thing you’re going to do today. Knowing that someone’s going to check in makes you way more likely to actually do it. (And if you don’t? Well, they now have full permission to send you passive-aggressive “Just checking in” messages.)
Flip the Narrative
Instead of saying, “I have to do this,” reframe it as “I get to do this.” Sounds woo-woo, but hear me out: shifting from obligation to opportunity makes everything feel a little less heavy. You don’t have to write that blog post—you get to share your knowledge. You don’t have to market your business—you get to build something amazing. Mindset shift = motivation boost.
Change Your Environment
If you’re stuck in a procrastination rut, switch things up. Move to a different workspace, put on focus music, light a candle (or, you know, whatever makes you feel like a productivity goddess). Small environmental tweaks can trick your brain into a fresh start.
Remember Your ‘Why’
When all else fails, go back to why you started. What’s the bigger picture? What’s the end goal? If you’re building a business, it’s probably because you wanted freedom, flexibility, and the chance to do something you love—so don’t let procrastination steal that from you.
Final Thought (Because You’re Probably Procrastinating by Reading This)
Procrastination happens to all of us—but the trick is not to let it win. Take one tip from this list, apply it right now, and see what happens. (No, really. Pick one. Go.)
And if you need a little push? Tell me what you’re working on, and I’ll be your accountability buddy. No judgment, just a friendly nudge and maybe a dramatic GIF to keep you moving.
Now, go tackle that thing you’ve been avoiding—you’ve got this.
