Have you ever found yourself suddenly cleaning your room or organizing your stuff instead of doing a rather more important task? You are not alone. I, too, often struggle in getting started with a personal project or even a work task. In this blog post, let’s talk about how to overcome procrastination in 5 simple but powerful steps.

Procrastination is often equated to laziness. But the reality is, it is often about avoidance, fear, anxiety, or perfectionism. Sometimes, we tend to put off things that we know we can easily do. Sometimes, it’s a good thing. Sometimes, it’s not. Here are five steps that helped me go from stuck to steady, without turning myself into a productivity machine.

Step 1: Name What You’re Really Avoiding

Procrastination is often a symptom, not the root issue. I wasn’t aware of this before and always had thought that procrastinating is a problem I should solve. I kept asking myself how I can overcome procrastination. It wasn’t until years later that I realized that my procrastination is often a symptom of an issue I wasn’t trying to solve.

Until I asked myself, “what exactly am I avoiding?”

More often than not, people procrastinate due to fear of failing or the goal of perfectionism. This was my problem, too. I find myself not starting a material and overly obsessed with the idea of planning for perfection. I was too hard on myself and focused on the fear of failing or disappointing the people around me.

So, the next time you find yourself procrastinating, try journaling or voice-noting your thoughts when you’re avoiding a task. Is it too overwhelming? Are you afraid of failing? Are you too obsessed with perfection? Once you’ve named what you’re really avoiding, then, you are one step closer to overcoming procrastination.

Step 2: Break It Down (Way More Than You Think)

Tackling a task can usually be a battle between just doing it and analysis paralysis. I am not saying these are wrong as we process things uniquely based on our own preferences and experiences. However, striking a balance between these two is the key.

They say, “strike while the iron is hot”. I say, strike when you’re ready and the iron is hot. To some people, the “just do it” practice is not winging it. However, people who focus too much on thinking about vague tasks end up not being productive at all, too.

Breaking down a task has helped me become more focused on the goals that I have each day for each of my tasks, whether personal or at work. Chunk tasks into micro-steps. Break down a big task into 4–5 manageable parts. Or, alternatively, use a checklist for small and big wins. Ticking off one item at a time is always better than not ticking anything at all.

Step 3: Use the 2-Minute Rule

Definition: If something takes 2 minutes or less, do it immediately.
Why it works: It builds momentum and self-trust.
Tip: Start with a 2-minute version of a bigger task.

This rule has helped me more than I expected, especially on days when my energy is low from balancing full-time work and blogging, or when I’m trying to batch content for different platforms (Pinterest, LinkedIn, Facebook—you know the drill). Even checking one item off can give me the mental momentum I need to move forward.

There are days when I find myself stuck because I’m overthinking something like updating an SEO description or tweaking a Pinterest pin title. It feels like a big task—until I remind myself: Just spend 2 minutes on it. Open the tab. Change one thing.

📝 Example:
Instead of saying “Work on blog,” I start with:
➡️ “Open Notion and outline one blog intro idea”
➡️ “Choose a main keyword for Pinterest captions”

Once I start, it feels less intimidating. And if I only have time for 2 minutes, that’s still a win. That’s 2 minutes I can spend on ticking off items from my list.

Step 4: Make the Task Feel Less Like a Chore

When you’re building something meaningful—like a personal brand or passive income stream—it’s easy to treat every task as “work.” But the truth is, you don’t have to suffer to be productive.

I used to think I had to wait for long stretches of uninterrupted time before doing anything content-related. But with my full-time job and personal life, that rarely happens. So instead, I started making the experience feel better—even if I only had 30 minutes.

Here’s what helped me:

• Playing a calming playlist while planning my blog content
• Setting up in a café or sunny spot at home while reviewing Pinterest keywords
• Lighting my favorite scented candle and sipping my favorite drink while reviewing and editing my posts

Step 5: Forgive Yourself and Start Again Tomorrow

This one’s been the hardest—and the most healing.

I used to feel bad about not sticking perfectly to my content calendar or not publishing that fourth blog post by end of month. But I’ve learned that real growth happens when we’re kind to ourselves, especially when things don’t go as planned.

There were times when I’d get discouraged because my blog wasn’t gaining traction fast, or I wasn’t seeing instant results from a Facebook ad. But the truth is, I’m playing the long game—building something sustainable that works with my pace, not someone else’s highlight reel.

Now, I give myself permission to pause and reset without guilt. If today was unproductive, I start again tomorrow. If I missed a deadline, I adjust—not abandon. And this, by far, is one of the most helpful ways how I overcome procrastination.

🧠 What I remind myself:
Grace > Grind
Progress > Perfection

Conclusion: You Can Beat Procrastination Without Burning Out

Procrastination isn’t a character flaw—it’s a signal.
Sometimes it means we need rest. Sometimes it means we’re overwhelmed. Sometimes it’s fear dressed up as delay.

So, the next time you ask yourself how to overcome procrastination, whatever it is for you, start small. Start messy. Just start. Just take the first step.

Want a printable version of this guide? I’m working on a free checklist and Notion template for distraction-free productivity. Stay tuned—or comment if you’d like early access!

Recommended Reads on Procrastination, Habits, and Focus:

Still unsure how to overcome procrastination? Check out these recommended reads below.

Note: These are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you purchase through them—at no extra cost to you. I only recommend books I’ve read or truly believe can help.

• Atomic Habits by James Clear – for small wins that lead to big change
• The War of Art by Steven Pressfield – for overcoming creative blocks and resistance
• Deep Work by Cal Newport – for focus in a distracted world
• Eat That Frog by Brian Tracy – for tackling the hardest task first
• The Now Habit by Neil Fiore – for understanding the psychology of procrastination