Tag Archives: procrastination

When you find yourself in the quicksand of procrastination starve your distractions and feed your focus.

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When you find yourself in the quicksand of procrastination starve your distractions and feed your focus.

—Calm App Reflection

Image from Unsplash by Brands&People

Procrastination rarely arrives like a storm—it seeps in like quicksand.

The more you struggle with every distraction, the deeper you sink.

So, pause, choose your nourishment wisely: starve the noise, feed the focus. Stop the tab hopping, the endless scrolling, the false urgency of small tasks.

Then give your attention to something worthy—one clear next step, one meaningful outcome, one honest effort.

Focus grows when distraction is denied its meal. And once we feed our focus, it becomes momentum, then confidence, then progress.

You do not need more time to escape procrastination.

You need more intention. Protect your attention like it matters—because it does.

EXERCISE:

Consider reading Deep Work by Cal Newport. It’s an excellent resource to help you protect your attention by doing more meaningful, undistracted work.

Friday Review: Procrastination

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Friday Review: Procrastination

In what aspects of your life are you given to procrastination? Here are a few related posts you may have missed.

“Procrastination is the thief of time. Collar him.”

 

 

 

 

 

“You can’t leave a footprint that lasts if you’re always walking on tiptoes.”

 

 

 

“Working is one of the most dangerous forms of procrastination.”

 

 

 

Working is one of the most dangerous forms of procrastination

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“Working is one of the most dangerous forms of procrastination.”

—Gretchen Rubin, New York Times bestselling author and speaker

Image from Unsplash by Magnet.me

Working can be one of the most dangerous forms of procrastination because it disguises avoidance as productivity.

Instead of tackling the most important tasks, we often busy ourselves with less critical work — like tweaking a website or organizing files — that feel productive but actually delay meaningful progress.

This hidden procrastination feels safe because it’s “work,” yet it prevents us from focusing on what truly matters.

The danger here lies in how easily these tasks can fill up our time, giving a false sense of accomplishment while priority tasks remain untouched.

Recognizing this pattern is crucial to breaking free and ensuring that our efforts align with our real goals, not just the illusion of productivity.

EXERCISE:

In what areas of your life is your work actually a form of procrastination?

How are these disguised efforts preventing you from focusing on what truly matters?

The relief that comes from putting off a task

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“The relief that comes from putting off a task never surpassed the satisfying feeling of having gotten the thing done.”

—Stephen St. Amant, author of the Savenwood Blog

Image from Unsplash by Karim Manjra

In the journey of productivity, we often dance between action and delay.

Procrastination might feel like a momentary comfort, but true satisfaction comes from conquering tasks.

When we break through the barrier of resistance and complete what we’ve been avoiding, we unlock a powerful sense of achievement, and our brains reward us with dopamine, reinforcing the joy of progress.

Look at every small step as a victory and embrace tasks head-on to transform not just your productivity, but your entire mindset. Choose progress over postponement, and watch your fullest potential unfold.

EXERCISE:

Implement the 2-minute rule: If a task can be completed in less than two minutes, do it immediately.

This prevents small tasks from piling up and becoming overwhelming.

If you want to tackle bigger things please read David Allen’s classic book Getting Things Done.

You can’t leave a footprint that lasts if you’re always walking on tiptoes

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“You can’t leave a footprint that lasts if you’re always walking on tiptoes.”

—Marion Blakely, President and CEO for the Rolls Royce of America

Image from Unsplash by Khadeeja Yasser

Where are you trying to make your mark on the world?

Just like one of those rubber stamps that have begun to run out of ink, our ongoing efforts to accomplish things of note are often too light to leave the lasting imprint we want.

Where are you tip-toeing around in your life, reluctant to take a firm stand on what you value and believe? How have these modest efforts made only minimal impressions that are easily washed away with time?

EXERCISE:

Whether it’s through great force or repeated actions over time, what will it take for you to make the dents in the universe you deeply desire?

Friday Review: Procrastination

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Friday Review: Procrastination

In what aspects of your life are you given to procrastination? Here are a few related posts you may have missed.

 

“To think too long about doing a thing often becomes its undoing.”

 

 

 

 

“Leave nothing for tomorrow which can be done today.”

 

 

 

 

 

“No one wants to be the skydiver who pulled the rip cord too late.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Procrastination is like a credit card

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“Procrastination is like a credit card: It’s a lot of fun until you get the bill.”

—Christopher Parker, English actor and television presenter

Image from Unsplash by Nubelson Fernandes

With Black Friday and Cyber Monday in our rear view mirrors, and the holidays just around the corner, it’s natural to want to give and get.

With Amazon and other online purchases just clicks away, it can be pretty easy to dig a financial hole deeper that you intend.

Procrastination is like this in that it pays off immediately with that rush of dopamine. We seemingly get all the reward without the downside until that “payment due” notice finds us down the road.

EXERCISE:

Where are you trying to pay down the debt of procrastination in your life?

How would applying the disciplines of doing things now and delayed gratification reward you with even more fun in the future?

Friday Review: Procrastination

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Friday Review: Procrastination

In what aspects of your life are you given to procrastination? Here are a few related posts you may have missed.

“Step one is to start at step one.”

 

 

 

 

“No one wants to be the skydiver who pulled the rip cord too late.”

 

 

 

“Life lived for tomorrow will always be just a day away from being realized.”

 

 

 

“Leave nothing for tomorrow which can be done today.”

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“Leave nothing for tomorrow which can be done today.”

—Abraham Lincoln, 16th President of the United States

Image from Unsplash by Dayne Topkin

Although I tend to avoid absolutes in statements like today’s quote, I do believe Lincoln was on to something with this one.

Consider all the times when you put off and procrastinate on the big and small matters in your life.

How often do you feel the nagging sensation of regret and self-criticism associated with such delays?

Alternatively, how do you feel when you go the extra mile and put a cherry on the top of your day by exceeding your and others’ expectations?

Going to bed with an extra gold star or happy face always feels great!

EXERCISE:

What can and will you do today that you would normally put off until tomorrow?

How will you reward yourself for this extra effort?

Procrastination is the thief of time

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“Procrastination is the thief of time. Collar him.”

—Edward Young, 18th Century English Poet

Image from Unsplash by nit niu

When we think of the word “collar” most of us think of the piece of clothing around our necks. In Young’s day, it was often used as a term to apprehend or arrest a criminal.

If you watch police shows on TV,  the term often points to the success rate of bringing in the bad guys and taking them off the streets to pay for their crimes.

Procrastination is indeed a thief.

What has it stolen from you over the years?

How is it picking your pockets these days?

EXERCISE:

What strategies can and will you use to collar procrastination and free yourself of its choke-hold on your life?