Do you ever find yourself putting off tasks—especially the important ones?
You know what needs to be done.
You want to do it.
And yet… you don’t.
Instead, you scroll, reorganize your sock drawer, or decide now is the perfect time to deep-clean your fridge.
Why does this happen? And more importantly—how do you stop?
The Real Reason You Procrastinate
Most people think procrastination is about laziness or poor time management.
It’s not.
It’s about avoiding discomfort.
You procrastinate when a task feels:
• Overwhelming: “I don’t even know where to start.”
• Pointless: “This isn’t going to make a difference anyway.”
• Pressure-filled: “What if I fail?”
• Boring: “I don’t want to do this right now.”
Your brain is wired to seek pleasure, avoid pain, and conserve energy.
So instead of tackling the uncomfortable thing, your brain steers you toward quick hits of dopamine—social media, Netflix, or even ‘productive’ distractions (hello, color-coded planner).
How to Stop Procrastinating in 3 Steps
1. Ask Yourself: What Am I Really Avoiding?
Instead of beating yourself up, get curious.
• Is this task overwhelming?
• Am I worried about failing?
• Am I resisting boredom or discomfort?
Identifying the real issue makes it easier to solve.
2. Make It So Small You Can’t Say No
Your brain resists big tasks. So shrink them.
• Instead of “I have to finish this whole project,” say “I’ll work on it for 5 minutes.”
• Instead of “I have to write a report,” say “I’ll write the first sentence.”
• Instead of “I should go for a 5-mile run,” say “I’ll put on my shoes.”
Tiny steps build momentum.
3. Decide Ahead of Time
Procrastination thrives on indecision.
So decide—when, where, and how long you’ll work.
• “I’ll start at 10 AM, work for 15 minutes, then take a break.”
• “I’ll check patient charts right after shift huddle, before anything else.”
Then honor that decision like it’s a patient’s medication schedule.
Final Thoughts
Procrastination isn’t a moral failing—it’s a habit.
And habits can change.
What’s one thing you’ve been putting off that you can start—right now?
If you’re struggling to follow through on your goals, I can help you. Let’s chat about what’s keeping you stuck—book a complimentary consult here.
Reminder: as part of the benefits offered at Logan Health, employees get free coaching sessions. You can book a coaching session here.
Or, if you are not a Logan Health Employee, you can book a consultation to learn how to work with me here.
P.P.S. Liked what you read? Join my email list, where I dive deeper into these concepts and teach you HOW to put them into practice in your everyday life. And don’t forget to follow me on Instagram (@christineseager_) or Facebook (@seager.christine), where I share both teaching moments and real-life examples of this work in action.