Beat Procrastination With the Smallest Possible Win

The most overwhelming part about procrastination is how it can feel like of vicious cycle. The pressure to start becomes ever more oppressive, but with it is a counterbalancing inability to start because the amount of work seems insurmountable.

I’ve learned to manage my tendency to procrastinate with a number of strategies, the most effective of which is simply not wanting to put myself in that position.

But for the young person working to dance with their procrastination, I say: find the smallest possible win. Don’t say, “I won’t get up from this chair until the entire term paper is finished.” That’s a recipe for further procrastination, rationalization, and avoidance, in my experience. Instead, say “All I have to do is write the first sentence.” Smallest possible win.

Practice that, and eventually you’ve got yourself a habit that you can use to combat your procrastination and finish your projects.

Now to get back to writing…