6 Easy Steps to Overcome Procrastination and Get Things Done

We’ve all been there. Staring at a looming task, knowing we need to get it done, but somehow, the hours slip by and we end up doing anything but that thing. The struggle is real—procrastination has a way of sneaking up on even the best of us. Whether it’s a work project, a household chore, or a personal goal you’ve been putting off for weeks (or months), procrastination can feel like a constant roadblock to getting things done.

But here’s the good news: overcoming procrastination doesn’t require a complete overhaul of your life or some superhuman effort. It’s about making small, manageable changes to how you approach tasks, manage your time, and tackle the inevitable distractions that come your way.

If you’re tired of the constant cycle of “I’ll do it tomorrow” and want to start making progress today, keep reading. These 6 easy steps will help you break free from procrastination and get things done—one task at a time.

Step 1: Figure Out Why You’re Procrastinating

Before you can truly tackle procrastination, it’s important to understand why you’re doing it in the first place. The reason isn’t always laziness. In fact, procrastination is often linked to emotions like fear, overwhelm, or even perfectionism. By understanding what’s behind your procrastination, you can take steps to address it.

Here are some common reasons people procrastinate:

• Fear of failure: Sometimes we put off a task because we’re scared of not doing it well. The thought of messing up can make us freeze in place.
• Perfectionism: If you’re the kind of person who wants everything to be perfect, you might delay starting something because you’re worried it won’t turn out “just right.”
• Overwhelm: Big tasks can be intimidating. If you look at the whole project, it can feel like an insurmountable mountain, so you just avoid it altogether.
• Lack of motivation: Maybe the task just doesn’t excite you, and your brain is constantly telling you to do something else—anything else—because it’s easier.
• Distractions: In the age of constant notifications, it’s easy to be pulled away from your work by a ping from your phone or a tempting scroll through social media.

Taking a moment to reflect on why you’re procrastinating is a great first step. Once you understand what’s holding you back, you can tackle it directly. For example, if fear of failure is your main issue, you might focus on shifting your mindset and reminding yourself that it’s okay to make mistakes.

Step 2: Break It Down Into Smaller, Manageable Tasks

One of the best ways to beat procrastination is to take that big, overwhelming task and break it down into smaller, bite-sized pieces. It’s much easier to start something when you’re not staring at an entire mountain of work.

Let’s say you need to write a report. Instead of thinking, “I need to write a 10-page report,” try breaking it down like this:

• Research the topic (1 hour)
• Create an outline (30 minutes)
• Write the introduction (30 minutes)
• Write the body (2 hours)
• Write the conclusion (30 minutes)
• Proofread and edit (1 hour)

Now, instead of one giant, intimidating task, you have a list of smaller steps that feel more doable. Plus, as you check each item off your list, you’ll start building momentum, making it easier to keep going.

Pro tip: Set mini-deadlines for each task to keep yourself on track. For example, “I’ll finish the outline by 10 AM” or “I’ll complete the research by noon.” This creates a sense of urgency and helps you focus.

Step 3: Prioritize Your Tasks

We’ve all been there—looking at a to-do list that’s a mile long and having no clue where to start. When everything feels important, it’s easy to just avoid it all. To avoid getting stuck in analysis paralysis, try prioritizing your tasks.

Here’s an easy way to do that: the Eisenhower Matrix. It helps you decide which tasks to tackle first based on urgency and importance.

The Eisenhower Matrix breaks tasks into four categories:

1. Urgent and Important: These are the tasks you need to do right now—think of them as your top priorities.
2. Important, But Not Urgent: These tasks are key to your long-term goals, but they don’t have immediate deadlines. Schedule these for later.
3. Urgent, But Not Important: These tasks require attention, but they’re often distractions or things that could be delegated to someone else.
4. Neither Urgent Nor Important: These tasks don’t really move you forward. If you can, eliminate them or do them only when everything else is finished.

By looking at your tasks through the lens of urgency and importance, you can focus on what matters most and avoid spinning your wheels on less important things.

Step 4: Try the Pomodoro Technique

If you struggle to stay focused, the Pomodoro Technique might be just the thing you need. The Pomodoro Technique is a time-management method that helps you stay productive while avoiding burnout. The basic idea is to work in short, intense bursts, followed by short breaks.

Here’s how it works:

1. Pick a task you want to focus on.
2. Set a timer for 25 minutes—this is one “Pomodoro.”
3. Work on that task, fully focused, until the timer goes off.
4. Take a 5-minute break. Stretch, grab a snack, or just breathe.
5. After four Pomodoros, take a longer break (15-30 minutes).

The beauty of the Pomodoro Technique is that it makes big tasks feel more manageable by breaking your work into chunks. Plus, knowing that you only need to focus for 25 minutes can help you get started, even when you’re feeling unmotivated.

Step 5: Remove Distractions

In today’s digital age, distractions are everywhere. Whether it’s your phone buzzing with notifications or the temptation to check your email every five minutes, it’s easy to get sidetracked and fall into the procrastination trap. To get things done, you need to create a focused environment.

Here are a few ways to eliminate distractions:

• Turn off your phone notifications. If you don’t need your phone for your work, turn it on “Do Not Disturb” mode or put it in another room.
• Block distracting websites. Use apps like Freedom, StayFocusd, or Cold Turkey to block social media or any websites that pull you away from your work.
• Set up a dedicated workspace. If you work from home or have a lot of distractions around, create a quiet, designated space just for work. This will help signal to your brain that it’s time to focus.

The more you can eliminate distractions, the easier it will be to stay on task and keep procrastination at bay.

Step 6: Be Kind to Yourself and Celebrate Small Wins

It’s easy to be hard on yourself when you’re procrastinating. You might start thinking, “I should’ve done this by now,” or “I’m just lazy.” But the truth is, being too critical only makes things worse. You need to practice self-compassion.

Here’s how you can be kinder to yourself:

• Acknowledge your feelings. If you’re feeling stressed or anxious about a task, it’s okay to feel that way. Don’t try to push those emotions aside.
• Let go of perfectionism. You don’t need to do everything perfectly. The key is making progress, not achieving perfection.
• Celebrate small wins. Finished the research? Celebrate it! Got the outline done? High five! Every step forward is worth acknowledging, and those little victories add up to big progress.

Being kind to yourself when you fall behind is essential for breaking the procrastination cycle. Instead of beating yourself up, focus on moving forward—no matter how small the step.

Final Thoughts: Take Action, Right Now

Procrastination can feel like an insurmountable challenge, but it’s really just a habit that you can change. By following these six simple steps—understanding why you procrastinate, breaking tasks into manageable chunks, prioritizing, using time-management techniques like Pomodoro, eliminating distractions, and practicing self-compassion—you can start making progress on your goals today.

Remember, it’s not about being perfect—it’s about taking action. So, what are you waiting for? Pick one task you’ve been putting off and tackle it using one of these steps. Before you know it, you’ll be on your way to getting things done—and feeling a lot more productive and empowered in the process.

Take that first step now. You’ve got this.