Procrastination
- Mr Smyth
- Jun 16
- 2 min read
Most people think procrastination is:
laziness.
But usually, it isn’t.
Most procrastination is actually:
avoidance
overwhelm
fear
discomfort
perfectionism
or emotional resistance.
Top performers still feel resistance too.
The difference is:
they act anyway.
They understand that action often creates motivation — not the other way around.
Main Problems
1. Students wait to “feel motivated”
A lot of students think:
“I’ll start later”
“I’m not in the mood”
“I’ll revise when I feel ready”
But motivation is unreliable.
If you only work when you feel like it,you will rarely stay consistent.
2. Students make tasks feel emotionally huge
The brain sees:
revision
difficult questions
essays
exams
as:
giant stressful threats.
So it looks for escape:
scrolling
gaming
snacks
distractions
“I’ll do it tomorrow”
Procrastination often protects us from discomfort temporarily.
3. Students think starting means finishing everything
A lot of students mentally turn:“Do 20 minutes”into:
“I need to fix my whole life tonight.”
That pressure creates paralysis.
Action 1: Lower The Barrier To Starting
Do not focus on:
finishing.
Focus on:
starting.
Tell yourself:
“Just 5 minutes.”
“Just one question.”
“Just open the book.”
Starting removes friction.
And once momentum builds,continuing becomes easier.
Action 2: Make Tasks Smaller
Your brain handles:
clarity better than chaos.
Instead of:
“Revise Maths”
try:
“Complete 5 algebra questions”
“Watch 10 minutes of the lesson”
“Revise simultaneous equations for 20 mins”
Specific actions feel safer to the brain.
Action 3: Understand The Feeling Will Pass
The resistance before starting is usually:
worse than the work itself.
Most students notice:once they begin,the anxiety reduces quickly.
Top performers understand:you do not need to eliminate discomfort before action.
You just need to move through it.
Action 4: Stop Trusting Your Mood
Your future cannot depend on:
whether you feel inspired today.
Top performers build routines where action happens:
regardless of mood.
Mood changes. Standards stay.
Action 5: Use Momentum
Action creates momentum.
Momentum creates motivation.
Motivation creates more action.
This means:the hardest part is often:
the first 2 minutes.
After that,your brain usually settles into the task.
Action 6: Become Someone Who Starts
A lot of success comes from becoming:
reliable
disciplined
consistent
Not perfect.
Every time you act despite resistance,you build evidence that says:
“I am someone who follows through.”
That identity matters.
Top performers do not wait for perfect motivation.
They learn how to begin,even when they don’t feel like it 😊
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