We’ve all been there: doom-scrolling TikTok or watching "just one more" YouTube video instead of tackling that important task. But procrastination isn’t just laziness — it’s your brain stuck in a battle between emotion and logic. You might be overwhelmed by work anxiety and turn to simple pleasures to soothe yourself, but then get crushed by guilt and your sense of responsibility. But with the right approach, we can break the cycle.
Instead of the usual vague advice, this post shares some insights from the renowned book The Art of Procrastination by John Perry, with our personal twist, to help you finally overcome procrastination and actually get things done.
And be fr… You’re probably procrastinating even now by just reading this post. Time to close the tabs, grab some water, and actually start. You got this!
1. Productive Procrastination
In The Art of Procrastination, John Perry reveals that the key to overcoming procrastination is simply to begin. When a task feels overwhelming, break it down into smaller steps and focus on just getting started — momentum will take care of the rest. We say that sometimes a deep ROAR is all it takes to shake off stress and jump into it.
But of course, it’s not always that simple. Perry also introduces the concept of Structured Procrastination, where you embrace delay by mixing big things with smaller ones. By filling your to-do list with tasks of varying difficulty, procrastinating on the big stuff still leads to productivity, as you probably check off the easier tasks first. Perry suggests that even procrastination can be productive. So don’t forget to add tasks like washing dishes or sending an email to your list alongside that annoying economics assignment.
2. Put your bestie on the phone
Accountability is a game-changer when it comes to beating procrastination. In his book, Perry highlights the power of having an accountability partner or joining a group to share your goals and progress. With someone to hype you up, share a laugh with, and hold you to your commitments, you’ll be far more likely to stay on track. And don’t feel guilty about having fun — laughter triggers endorphins and reduces the anxiety tied to looming deadlines!
Want to level up? Bet on your productivity with your bestie. Offer to treat them to coffee if you don’t finish X task by Y time. You could even turn it into a friendly competition. So, put your bestie on the phone and Roar together for the win!
3. Do you have a crush?
Gamifying monotony can be a powerful way to boost motivation and spark some dopamine. While scheduling something fun after finishing a task can help, it might not completely reduce the stress that comes with it. A fun trick to ease the pressure is giving your tasks playful names on your to-do list.
Imagine naming one after your crush, wouldn’t you want to take care of that task?? Or maybe name an assignment after your biggest hater, now there’s some motivation to absolutely destroy it!!! Turning tasks into something more personal adds a playful twist, making it easier to cope with Procrastina and even have fun in the process!
4. Let’s plant a tree!
While procrastinating, you might constantly search for an excuse to sidequest and delay your main task. Sure, having a rush of structured procrastination can be helpful, but sometimes you are short on time. If you suddenly hear the cry of your laundry to be folded right when you sit down to work, the best solution might be to leave the house altogether — step away from the needy distractions. Go to a library or a place where your focus has minimal chances to sway.
But your biggest enemy might be your phone since leaving it entirely behind is not realistic, right? So, why not plant a tree instead? Building on gamification and accountability, there are tons of apps out there to help optimize your digital environment — some of them being Forest or Plantie. Not only does it help you stay concentrated during your set time, but it also rewards you with a beautiful garden of trees as a proud reminder of your victories over Procrastina!
Perry, J. (2012). The art of procrastination: A guide to effective dawdling, lollygagging, and postponing. Workman Publishing.