You know that thing you’ve been putting off? The project, the call, the script, the edit—the thing that sits in the back of your mind, quietly accumulating dust and dread? Yeah, that one.
That’s where the magic is.
Why?
- Because resistance is a compass. The harder it is to start, the more important it probably is.
- Because the thing you’re avoiding is often the thing that will push you forward.
- Because action kills doubt. Every time you finally start, you wonder why you waited so long.
The Science of Avoidance
Procrastination isn’t just about willpower or laziness—it’s a response wired into our brains. When we face something challenging, our dopamine levels drop. Dopamine is the neurotransmitter responsible for motivation and reward. When it’s low, we feel less energized to push through discomfort, making distractions more tempting.
So what do we do? We revert to the things that have always given us quick dopamine hits—scrolling, snacking, checking email, watching just one more video. It’s not conscious; it’s chemical.
And then there’s the Dunning-Kruger effect—the bias that makes us overestimate our abilities when we’re beginners. When we hit the part where things get hard (where our skill isn’t matching our expectations), we feel incompetent. Instead of pushing through, we avoid the work altogether, convincing ourselves that “later” will be easier. (Spoiler: it won’t.)
What’s Stopping You?
Let’s be real—procrastination is often fear in disguise.
- Fear of failure – What if it sucks?
- Fear of success – What if it works, and now I have to keep doing it?
- Perfectionism – If it’s not perfect, it’s not worth doing (spoiler: it never is).
I fight this all the time. There’s always something I “should” be doing, but instead, I find myself deep in a rabbit hole about a topic I don’t even care about (do I really need to know how many people get attacked by moose every year?).
But every single time, once I actually sit down and do the work, things start moving. The energy shifts. Progress happens.
The Fix
Lower the bar. Give yourself permission to do it badly at first.
- Set a timer. Just 10 minutes. No pressure. Just start.
- Commit publicly. Tell someone (or everyone) what you’re doing.
- Make it fun. Change the location, add a reward, trick your brain into playing.
Build momentum with small wins. Instead of waiting for magic inspiration, start with something small. Make your bed. Take out the trash. Go for a walk. These tiny actions create forward motion, tricking your brain into a productive state. The hardest part is starting—so start with something easy.
What’s Your One Thing?
That thing you’ve been putting off? It’s time. Just start.
