đź“• Read the Talk Instead:
Okay, before we dive into this talk, I want to ask you a quick question...
Why did you click play? What inspired you to hit that button? I’m guessing you’re here because you want to start finishing those projects that have been sitting on your to-do list forever. Maybe you’re a student who always waits until the last minute to submit assignments. Or perhaps you have creative dreams but feel like you’re not living up to your potential.
But before we go any further, think back to the moment just before you clicked on this video. That was a moment of non-procrastination. That was a decision you made to dive straight in and begin. The truth is, you’re already an expert at starting. You know how to beat procrastination—you just need to apply this skill to the right tasks.
Why Procrastination Happens:
Hi, my name is Jon Brooks, and I run the websites HighExistence and The Stoic Handbook. Let’s cut straight to the chase.
You can read all the books on procrastination, listen to a thousand podcasts, hire a personal coach, and watch endless YouTube videos on "how to deal with procrastination." But there’s only one real way to beat it: suck it up and get on with it. It might sound harsh, but at the end of the day, that’s what it comes down to.
It’s like dieting. A lot of people know exactly what they need to do to lose weight—cut calories, exercise more—but they don’t want to deal with the discomfort of being hungry. I get it. Being hungry sucks. That’s why I’m not walking around with an 8-pack right now.
If you find this direct approach frustrating, I hear you. Being told what to do is one thing, but knowing how to actually do it is another. We all know what we need to do, but the challenge is in making it happen.
The Critic Trap:
One of the main reasons people procrastinate is what I call the critic trap. I see this all the time in my clients who want to start a blog, a podcast, or any creative project.
Think about this: Could the best film critics in the world become amazing movie directors? Some could, but most would end up making films they would personally give a low score. Why? Because the part of our brain that criticizes is different from the part that creates.
This is why Ernest Hemingway famously said, "Write drunk, edit sober." When we consume media and critique others’ work, we might think we’re becoming more skilled. But the truth is, watching every season of MasterChef won’t make your cooking any better.
The problem is that our inner critic grows strong and confident while our creative side remains small and vulnerable. This creates a battle within us, where our powerful critic overshadows our timid, childlike creative spirit.
As beginners, nothing we create will match up to the masterpieces we’ve observed. The fear that our work won’t live up to our expectations is the root cause of procrastination. We fear finding out that we might not be as good as we think we are.
The Solution: Just Start
The only real way to overcome procrastination is to just start. I know that sounds simple, but it’s true. However, there are a few techniques that can make starting a lot easier.
The Few Minutes Principle:
British psychologist Professor Richard Wiseman, in his book 59 Seconds, explains a research-backed way to overcome initial procrastination. He suggests that procrastinators often delay starting tasks because they feel overwhelmed by the size of the job. But if they can convince themselves to work on the task for just a few minutes, they often find an urge to see it through to completion.
This principle isn’t groundbreaking, but the science behind it gives it credibility. I use this technique constantly. It’s not the complete solution for all types of procrastination, but it gets you started, which is often the hardest part.
Turning Pro:
Another powerful mindset shift comes from Steven Pressfield’s classic book, The War of Art. Pressfield talks about “turning pro”—the idea that the amateur waits for inspiration, while the professional creates regardless of how they feel.
Pressfield argues that a strong work ethic is more important than waiting for a muse. He says, "The most important thing about art is to work. Nothing else matters except sitting down every day and trying." In the real world, you wouldn’t keep your job if you only worked when you felt inspired. The same applies to your creative projects. If you want to be your own boss, you have to manage your own inner worker.
Learn on the Job:
Another trap that well-intentioned creatives fall into is the belief that research equals work. It doesn’t. The more you know, the more you realize how much you don’t know. But no matter how much research you do, you’ll never be fully prepared. The only solution is to start and learn on the job.
Instead of trying to plan out every detail of your creative journey, start now and adjust as you go. You’ll be more motivated to learn when you’re actually doing the work and facing real challenges.
As Steven Pressfield says, “Start before you’re ready.” You can’t plan your way to a masterpiece. The key is to begin, then course-correct as you move forward.
Conclusion:
So, let’s recap. Procrastination isn’t about laziness—it’s about fear, perfectionism, and the critic inside your head. But you have the power to overcome it. Use the Few Minutes Principle to get started, adopt the mindset of a professional, and learn as you go.
Remember, the quality of your work will improve over time, but it will only happen if you start. Don’t wait for the perfect moment, because it will never come. The best time to start is now.
Thank you for listening, and if you’re ready to take action, go ahead and put these ideas into practice. Get up, get started, and keep going. Your future self will thank you.
And remember, as with anything worth doing, the journey begins with the first step. Don’t let procrastination hold you back from achieving your goals. You’ve got this