Ever feel like you’re trapped in a cycle of putting things off, even though you know they need to get done? I’ve been there — too many times to count. Sometimes, I’ll find myself doing laundry, scrubbing the kitchen sink or reorganising the pantry instead of tackling work. It’s not only about instant gratification; it’s that the task at hand feels forced, uninspiring, or disconnected from anything I care about. And that disconnect? That’s where procrastination thrives.
Procrastination isn’t just laziness — it’s a coping mechanism. When we’re forced to do work that feels pointless, our brains rebel. The good news is, there are ways to bring yourself into your work, even when it feels like a grind. These strategies aren’t about forcing productivity but about finding small ways to make the work meaningful, manageable, and less painful to start.
Why You Procrastinate: It’s Not Just Laziness — It’s Misalignment
The reason we procrastinate isn’t that we’re incapable of doing the work — it’s that the work often feels irrelevant or disconnected from what makes us curious or fulfilled. Even the smallest friction — like not knowing how to start — becomes a reason to escape. And the brain, seeking comfort, pushes us toward things that provide a quick sense of relief.
Tasks grow bigger and scarier the longer we avoid them — like the boogeyman under the bed. Avoidance feeds the discomfort until it feels overwhelming. But the truth is, starting isn’t usually as bad as it seems, and often, the hardest part is simply that first step.
How to Bring Yourself Into the Work (Even When It Feels Impossible)
These strategies aren’t about forcing productivity — they’re about aligning tasks with who you are, finding small pockets of purpose, and making it easier to start.
1. Add Personal Touches to Every Task
Even mundane tasks can become more engaging if you inject a bit of yourself into them. The trick is to treat tasks as opportunities to express your creativity, even in small ways.
Try This: If you’re writing a report, make it a personal challenge — add humour, a quirky reference, or a secret joke only you understand. Planning lessons? Use anecdotes from your life or funny stories that will engage students (and keep you entertained). If you’ve read my post on laughter, you’ll know how much I value humour to make even the hardest tasks bearable.
Why It Works: Adding personality shifts a task from being a chore to becoming a creative outlet. This taps into intrinsic motivation, making the task feel like an extension of yourself. When the work reflects who you are, it energises you — because now it’s your work, not just another task.
2. Reframe Work as a Form of Self-Improvement
Not every task can be fun, but that doesn’t mean it has no value. The goal is to see work as a chance to grow in ways that aren’t immediately obvious — whether it’s developing patience, resilience, or focus.
Try This: Instead of focusing on speed, aim for mastery. Make it a goal to do the task well — notice how it sharpens your attention to detail or helps build discipline. Yes, even filling out spreadsheets can become a challenge if you reframe it as a test of focus. Think of it as an investment in yourself.
Why It Works: When work becomes about personal growth rather than just completion, it feels purposeful. You’re less likely to resist something that contributes to becoming a better version of yourself. This mindset also shifts focus from outcome to process, helping you stay engaged.
3. Smaller Goals = More Wins
Breaking tasks down isn’t just about making them manageable — it’s about creating small emotional wins. Each milestone becomes a mini-goal that offers quick gratification, keeping your momentum going.
Try This: Instead of setting one huge goal, break the task into checkpoints that offer mental relief. For example, instead of saying, “Finish the entire report,” go with “Complete the intro and reward myself with a coffee.” Track your progress visually — whether it’s ticking boxes or crossing things off a list.
Why It Works: Emotional wins give your brain those small dopamine hits it craves, reinforcing your effort and making it easier to keep going. You’re no longer climbing a mountain — you’re just taking a series of manageable steps.
4. Get the Ball Rolling
Tasks seem overwhelming when your perception of them is left in abstract, unfinished form — your brain interprets them as massive undertakings. A clever way to bypass this is to focus on the smallest possible action to get started. Instead of thinking about completing the whole thing, aim to just open the document or prep your workspace.
Try This: Tell yourself, “I’ll just open my laptop and set things up.” Or, “I’ll write one sentence.” By breaking the task into the tiniest possible action, you lower the mental barrier to starting — and often, that’s enough to build momentum. Once the friction of starting is gone, it’s much easier to keep going.
Why It Works: This approach tricks your brain by setting a minimal, achievable goal that requires almost no effort. It leverages the Zeigarnik effect — our brain’s tendency to want to complete unfinished tasks. Once you’ve taken that first small step, your mind will naturally want to follow through.
5. Instrumental Music as a Fidget Toy for Your Attention
For those of us with wandering minds, music without lyrics works like a mental fidget toy — it occupies the part of your brain that seeks distraction while leaving room for productive thought.
Try This: Classical piano or lo-fi beats are great options. I’ve found that even ambient soundtracks help — anything that avoids lyrics. The moment words sneak in, they take priority in my brain over the task at hand. I swear, even trashy TV dialogue will hijack my thoughts if it’s playing somewhere in the distance.
Why It Works: Instrumental music gives your mind just enough stimulation to block out other distractions without pulling you off course. Think of it like a fidget toy for your attention.
6. Connect Boring Tasks to a Bigger Goal
It’s easier to follow through on a task when you know how it fits into your bigger picture. Connecting even the most mundane work to a meaningful outcome makes it easier to push through.
Try This: When the task feels pointless, ask yourself: “How does this help me in the long run?” Write it down — whether it’s as simple as, “This will make tomorrow easier,” or “Finishing this will get me closer to my career goals.” Keep that reminder visible throughout the task.
Why It Works: When tasks align with personal goals or values, they become more than chores — they become stepping stones. The clearer the connection to your future self, the more willing your brain will be to engage with the work, no matter how mundane it feels now.
Final Thoughts: Bring Yourself to the Work — One Step at a Time
Aligning your work with who you are isn’t always easy, and not every task will feel meaningful. But even in the most mundane moments, you can find small ways to inject purpose and personality. These small shifts add up, making it easier to get started and stay on track.
And here’s the hopeful part: When you do find work that truly fits who you are, you’ll feel the difference immediately. The work won’t drain you — it will energise you. Until then, the goal is to make the best of where you are now — one small, purposeful step at a time.
Does this resonate with you? Share your procrastination stories and any strategies you use to get your work done.