How to Overcome Procrastination: Expert Strategies from The RESULTS Guy

Q: I've tried everything to stop procrastinating, but nothing works. Do you have a reliable method to break this cycle for good?

A: Not all procrastination is harmful. As a productivity expert known as The RESULTS Guy, I've long distinguished between positive and negative procrastination. Examine your self-talk: Does it provide valid reasons to delay, or is it just an excuse to avoid discomfort? Excuses like "It doesn't matter, I'll do it later" or "I just don't feel like it" fuel negative procrastination.

If you do nothing, you'll achieve nothing. But taking action opens endless possibilities.

Positive procrastination, on the other hand, is strategic. Phrases like "I need more information before deciding" or "I'll sleep on it" allow your intuition to guide better choices. Related: Why procrastinating is okay

Negative procrastination delays essential tasks. To reclaim control, counter that inner dialogue with these proven reframes:

Thought: I can do it tomorrow.

Ask: What can I start now to advance this project?

Thought: I don't have everything I need.

Ask: What can I do with what's available right now?

Thought: I don't have time right now.

Ask: What can I accomplish in the next 10 minutes toward my goal?

Thought: Someone else can do it better.

Reframe: It's my responsibility. Practicing will make me better anyway.

Thought: I just don't feel like it.

Reframe: I'll commit to just five minutes. Momentum builds once I start.
Starting is toughest, but action creates results. Do nothing, get nothing. Act, and possibilities unfold.

Assess your procrastination level. Rate 1 (often) to 10 (never):

• Do you push tasks aside claiming no time?
• Do you delay due to lack of clarity or overcomplicating?
• Are you unproductive from perfectionism?
• Do distractions justify delays?

Total under 25? Follow these steps from my years of coaching high-achievers:

1. Get up early. Avoid snoozing; start calm to set a proactive tone.
2. Build momentum. Tackle small tasks in spare moments to fuel motivation and finish ahead.
3. Motivate yourself. Use to-do lists and check off wins for that satisfying rush.
4. Practice Production Before Perfection (PBP). My cornerstone time-management principle: Start imperfectly, refine later. Taxes don't need perfection upfront—track expenses monthly instead of waiting. Exceptions like surgery demand flawlessness, but for most work, good enough launches progress.
   Produce first, perfect as you go!

Related: TED Talks: “Inside the mind of a master procrastinator”

Have questions for The RESULTS Guy? Email [email protected]
This article originally appeared in the February 2017 issue of SUCCESS magazine.