These Two Questions Help Me Overcome Procrastination
Procrastination Is a Way of Saving Energy by Mind When It Feels Hopeless
We’ve all been there: staring at a blank screen, a daunting to-do list, or an overflowing inbox, only to find ourselves scrolling social or rearranging pens for no reason.
Procrastination strikes—and suddenly the task feels impossible.
But procrastination isn’t laziness. It’s a survival instinct. One that used to help us conserve energy, but now often works against us.
Luckily, two quick questions can get us moving again.
They’re simple, specific, and cut straight to the root of why we’re stalling.
Procrastination is A Way of Saving Energy
Procrastination is often misunderstood as a flaw in motivation. But it’s more like a misfire in how our brains weigh effort and reward.
We’re wired to prioritize what feels immediately rewarding. If a task looks difficult or uncertain, our brains try to "save energy" by putting it off.
From an evolutionary perspective, that made sense. If you were a hunter deciding between a risky chase or waiting for a herd to pass by, patience might have meant survival.
Now that instinct backfires in modern life.
It usually shows up in one of two forms:
Overwhelm-based procrastination: The task feels too big, too complex, or just plain impossible.
Future-readiness procrastination: We convince ourselves we’ll be more ready or better prepared if we wait.
Each version needs its own approach. One’s about shrinking the task. The other’s about breaking the illusion of “later.”
How to Get Rid of the Two Types of Procrastination
The key to getting unstuck is knowing why you’re stuck in the first place.
And then using the right question to shift gears.
Type 1: Overwhelm-Based Procrastination
Big tasks can feel like brick walls. You stare at them, unsure where to start—and do nothing.
Here’s the question to break the pattern:
How can I make this task easier?
That’s it. Don’t overthink it.
This question moves you from dread to problem-solving mode.
Some ways to answer it:
Break it down: If “launch the product” feels too huge, reframe it as “outline 3 product features today.”
Start tiny: Commit to writing one paragraph or drafting one email. Often, that’s enough to build momentum.
Lower the bar: Focus on progress, not perfection. It’s fine if your first version is rough.
Sarah, a freelance designer, was overwhelmed by a branding package project—logo, website, business cards, all due soon.
She asked herself: how can I make this easier?
Day 1: sketch logo drafts.
Day 2: review color palettes.
Day 3: wireframe homepage.
By simplifying her goals and tackling one thing a day, she made consistent progress. The project felt lighter, and she finished it faster than she expected.
Type 2: Future-Readiness Procrastination
This one’s more subtle. It hides behind logical-sounding excuses.
“I’ll do it next week when I’m less tired.”
“Once I’ve done more research, I’ll start.”
“Maybe after the holidays.”
The key question here is:
Will I get any benefits from delaying this work?
More often than not, the answer is no.
Some ways to challenge yourself:
Test your logic: Will waiting really help? Or is it just fear disguised as planning?
Use a timer: Tell yourself you’ll just do 10 minutes. That’s often enough to get moving.
Look at the cost: Stress, missed deadlines, or lost opportunities all pile up the longer you wait.
James had a business idea but kept telling himself he needed more time, more experience, more savings.
Then he asked, “Will I gain anything from waiting?”
He realized: no. More waiting just meant more excuses. He started by drafting a basic business plan for 15 minutes. That turned into an hour. That turned into a pitch deck.
Three months later, he had his first customer.
Combining the Questions
When things feel heavy and you’re tempted to push them off, use both questions.
Like a student facing finals:
“How can I make this easier?” leads to a daily study plan.
“Will I get any benefit from delaying?” shows that waiting only adds pressure.
Now they’re taking action, not spinning in stress.
Conclusion
Procrastination isn’t personal—it’s built-in.
But once you know how it works, you can outsmart it.
Two questions help you cut through the stall:
How can I make this task easier?
Will I get any benefits from delaying this work?
Use them next time you find yourself avoiding something important.
No hacks. No guilt. Just smart questions that shift your mindset and get you moving.
Try them. You’ll be surprised what a 10-minute start can lead to.