We’ve all been there, right? I sure have. The to-do list is glaring at us, but somehow, the siren song of social media, or that “quick” snack break, is way too irresistible. I mean, suddenly, even watching paint dry seems like a great idea. To overcome procrastination and get things done can be a little tricky but it is totally doable. That’s why I made this post packet with great BYO Bossy tips to beat those first 15 minutes.

Let’s face it—the first 15 minutes of any task can feel like a battle against procrastination. But here’s the best part: once you power through those first minutes, the rest is so much easier. Think of it as breaking through a brick wall with a sledgehammer—hard at first, but after the first hit, things start to crack. We’ve got to be fierce!

So, how do we tackle those sneaky 15 minutes of procrastination and crush them to the ground? Let’s dive into some practical, no-nonsense, and totally fun tips that will get you moving because, Bossy, we’ve got work to do!

1. Acknowledge That Procrastination Is a Sneaky Beast

Procrastination is always lurking in the shadows, waiting to derail your productivity. It’s sneaky, often wearing the disguise of “productive” distractions. You know the type: “Oh, I’ll just check my emails really quickly, and then I’ll dive in,” or “I should go get a glass of water, after all, I need to keep myself hydrated.” Sound familiar?

Procrastination’s many masks

Procrastination loves to sneak in and convince you that whatever you’re doing is helpful or even necessary—when, in reality, it’s keeping you from your actual work. And it’s not laziness.

Procrastination often stems from fear—fear of failure, imperfection, or even success. (My mom once told me, “You’re not afraid of failing—you’re afraid of succeeding.” Ouch. She was absolutely right, and deep down, I knew it. The good news? I overcame it, and now I’m here to help you do the same.) Procrastination tricks us into delaying because avoiding those emotions feels safer than facing them head-on.

Quick Fix: Name Your Procrastination

Procrastination is often linked to deeper emotions such as fear or perfectionism. We delay tasks because we’re afraid of failing, not knowing where to start, or not getting things perfect on the first try. By putting off the task, we avoid these uncomfortable feelings—at least temporarily. But the longer we delay, the bigger the task seems, and the more stressful it becomes.

The moment you catch yourself saying, “Just one more minute,” or “Let me get everything perfect first,” stop. Take a deep breath and name it. Say to yourself, “This is procrastination, and it’s not fooling me anymore.” By calling it out, you regain control over the situation. Now that you’ve identified it, you can manage it like the boss you are.

Bossy Tip: Embrace Imperfection (I confess. For a really long time I needed to hear this)

One of the sneakiest things procrastination tells us is that we can’t start until things are perfect. Newsflash: they don’t need to be! You don’t need to have the perfect plan, the perfect tools, or even the perfect mindset. Start messy. Start imperfectly. But just start. Progress beats perfection every time.

2. Shrink the Task to the Size of a Post-it Note

Nothing says “overwhelm” like a huge, looming task on your to-do list. It’s no wonder we struggle to overcome procrastination when our brains see a massive project and immediately hit the panic button. But here’s where we outsmart that sneaky beast: shrink the task down.

Why Small Steps Are a Big Deal

Here’s the trick—when you look at a big task, your brain automatically feels stressed. It’s the natural “fight or flight” reaction. But if you break it down into bite-sized pieces, you trick your brain into thinking, “Hey, this isn’t so bad. I can handle this.” It’s all about shifting your focus from the overwhelming big picture to one small, manageable step.

Bossy Pro Tip: The Power of Micro Tasks

You know those sticky notes you’ve got lying around? Time to put them to work! Write down the smallest possible step you can take toward completing your task. Maybe it’s “Open the document” or “Write one sentence.” Whatever it is, make it so small that it feels like a no-brainer to do it.

This micro-tasking strategy will have you making progress before your brain even realizes what’s happening!

Here’s how I approach this with BYO Bossy: If I’m staring down a big content project, I’ll shrink it into these little, non-threatening steps. For example, instead of “Write the blog post,” I break it into:

• Open document
• Write intro (one sentence!)
• List three key points to cover

See how easy that feels? Once you’ve started, the momentum builds. Suddenly, you’re in the flow, and that giant task doesn’t feel so scary after all. We’ve done it!

3. Set the Timer for Just 5 Minutes

Now, let’s be real—the hardest part is starting. But here’s where we get clever (because, well – we are!): you can do anything for 5 minutes, right? Set a timer for just 5 minutes and promise yourself that you’ll work until the timer goes off. When the buzzer rings, you can stop if you want to. But here’s the kicker—you probably won’t want to.

The 5-Minute Power of Momentum to Overcome Procrastination

This simple 5-minute trick works wonders to help overcome procrastination because once we’re in motion, we tend to stay in motion. That’s Newton’s First Law, right? Objects in motion stay in motion – not that we are objects but, you know what I mean. By committing to just 5 minutes, you take the pressure off yourself and overcome procrastination. There’s no expectation to finish anything huge—just start. And once you start, you’ll often keep going because the hardest part (getting over the starting line) is already behind you. That’s the beauty of this power momentum!

Bossy Dare: 5-Minute Challenge (This one is for you! Are you in?)

Here’s my challenge for you—set that timer, start working, and when the timer goes off, see how you feel. You’ll likely be in a groove and won’t want to stop. But hey, if you do, no shame. You’ve already beaten procrastination just by getting started. You showed up—and that’s huge. Let me know in the comments how it went—seriously, I’m rooting for you to crush this!

4. Change the Scenery, Change the Vibe!

Do you know how a fresh outfit can make you feel like a million bucks? Well, the same goes for your workspace. Sometimes, all it takes is a change in environment to flip that procrastination switch and get you into full-on ‘grab the bull by the horns’ mode.

New Space, New Energy

Switching up your workspace can work wonders for your productivity. Whether it’s moving from the couch to a desk, grabbing your laptop and heading to a coffee shop, or even just decluttering your workspace, a change of scenery can shift your mindset. It’s like hitting the reset button on your mental energy—hello, fresh start!

I like to keep my workspace dynamic—changing things up keeps me sharp. If I’ve been staring at the same spot for hours, I move to another room, pop on a fresh playlist, or even just add a candle to create a new vibe. Instant productivity boost!

Bossy Tip: Create a Productivity Sanctuary To Overcome Procrastination

Your workspace should be your productivity haven, Bossy! It’s not just about physical comfort—it’s about setting the tone for your workday. Whether it’s adding a plant, hanging some motivational art, or getting rid of clutter, make your space work for you. When your environment supports you, you’re way more likely to kick procrastination to the curb.

5. Visualize That Sweet Victory Moment Of When You Overcome Procrastination

Let’s fast forward to that glorious moment when you’ve finished the task. Picture yourself crossing it off your list and feeling that incredible sense of accomplishment. Doesn’t that feel amazing?

Spoiler alert: it’s going to feel even better when it actually happens. So, why not use that sweet victory to power through and get started?

The Science Behind Visualization

Here’s why visualization works: your brain can’t always tell the difference between something vividly imagined and something real. When you visualize yourself completing the task, your brain creates a mental roadmap for success to overcome procrastination. It starts believing you can do it because it’s already seen the outcome in your mind. Cool, right?

Bossy Tip: Create a “Win Wall”

Take this visualization practice a step further by creating a “win wall.” It could be a literal wall in your workspace or a virtual board where you list your accomplishments, big or small. Every time you complete a task, add it to your win wall. It’s a visual reminder of everything you’ve achieved—and there’s no better motivation than seeing all those wins stack up!

6. Start with a “Feel-Good” Task to Avoid Procrastination

We all know that jumping straight into the big, scary task isn’t always realistic, especially if you’re not in the mood. So, what’s the fix? Start with something simple—a quick, feel-good task that gives you a little win right out of the gate. Maybe it’s replying to an email, cleaning up your workspace, or checking a small item off your list.

Why This Works: The Momentum Effect

Small wins create momentum. Once you’ve accomplished something—even something tiny—you feel more motivated to keep going. It’s like pushing a snowball down a hill: once it starts rolling, it keeps growing and gaining speed.

Bossy Pro Move: Feel-Good Task Mastery

Start your day by knocking out 2-3 small, easy tasks. These don’t have to be work-related—they can be anything that makes you feel good about getting stuff done.

These quick wins build confidence, giving you the boost you need to dive into that bigger, more daunting task, with the right energy.

Bossy Pro Tip: Now, that you know how to overcome procrastination, check out 7 Great Potential Business Ideas, and smile all the way to success!

7. Reward Ourselves for Just Starting to Overcome Procrastination

Who says you need to wait until the task is finished to celebrate? That’s old news! Let’s celebrate just starting. Yep, reward yourself for taking that first step—whether it’s indulging in your favorite snack, taking a quick break, or blasting your go-to feel-good playlist. The point is to make starting to feel like a win.

Bossy Tip: Make Rewards Part of the Process

Turn starting into something you actually look forward to. That might mean giving yourself a cookie after those first 15 minutes or taking a mini dance break (because who doesn’t love a solo dance party in the middle of the day?). When you associate starting with something fun, you’ll be a lot more excited to dive in and overcome procrastination

I see a cookie 🍪 in our future… with icing on top!

Final Thoughts To Overcome Procrastination

Overcoming procrastination in the first 15 minutes can be the hardest challenge, but with the right tools, tricks, and a bit of BYO Bossy attitude, you’ll turn them into a launching pad for success. From shrinking tasks to rewarding yourself for just starting, there are plenty of ways to outsmart procrastination and make progress every day.

Remember, it’s not about perfection—it’s about showing up and making progress. So, the next time procrastination rears its ugly head, remind it who’s boss: YOU!

You’ve got this, Bossy—now go out there and slay those tasks, one bold step at a time.

Thanks for sharing this beautiful business journey with me.🧡

Fabi Terra