How to Stay Focused When Projects Feel Daunting

Procrastination isn't about time. It's about emotions. You're not lazy. Your brain is protecting you from difficult feelings. Fear. Anxiety. Self-doubt. I've seen it steal dreams. Maybe you have too. Here are 8 powerful ways to break free: 1. Create Space Between Trigger and Response 💬 "The moment I face a big task, I grab my phone." ➟ Pause for 30 seconds when avoidance hits ➟ Take three deep breaths ➟ Ask: "What tiny step can I take now?" 💡 Viktor Frankl: Our power lies in the space between trigger and response. Try: Set a 30-second timer next time you feel the urge to avoid. 2. Face Your Fears Head-On 💬 "I keep delaying because what if everything goes wrong?" ➟ Write down your worst-case scenarios ➟ Rate how likely each one is ➟ List one action to prevent each fear 💡 Named fears lose their emotional grip. Try: Write down your biggest fear about your delayed project. 3. Build Instant Rewards 💬 "Important tasks feel painful. Netflix feels good." ➟ Pair tough tasks with immediate pleasures ➟ Create small celebrations for completion ➟ Track your wins visually 💡 Your brain craves instant gratification. Use it to your advantage. Try: Choose one small reward for your next completed task. 4. Design Your Environment 💬 "My workspace doesn't inspire action." ➟ Place visual reminders of your goals ➟ Set out tools needed for tomorrow ➟ Remove distracting triggers 💡 Your environment shapes your behavior more than willpower. Try: Put one inspiring image where you'll see it tomorrow. 5. Use Social Power 💬 "I keep my goals private so I can't fail publicly." ➟ Tell someone your deadline ➟ Share progress updates ➟ Set public consequences 💡 Social pressure creates positive emotional urgency. Try: Text one friend about your next deadline. 6. Reset Your State 💬 "Bad moods make me avoid everything." ➟ Take a 2-minute meditation break ➟ Step outside briefly ➟ Do 5 jumping jacks 💡 Physical state changes create emotional shifts. Try: Stand up and stretch right now for 30 seconds. 7. Create When-Then Plans 💬 "I have good intentions but never follow through." ➟ Write specific action triggers ➟ Link habits to existing routines ➟ Remove decision points 💡 Clear plans bypass emotional resistance. Try: Write one "When X happens, I will do Y" statement. 8. Track Visible Progress 💬 "It feels like I'm getting nowhere." ➟ Use a progress calendar ➟ Mark daily wins ➟ Share your journey 💡 Seeing progress builds emotional momentum. Try: Draw a simple progress bar for your current project. Your dreams are waiting. Your emotions shouldn't stop you. Pick one strategy. Start now. Which one will you try first? ♻️ Repost if this resonated with you! 🔖 Follow me Suren Samarchyan for more.

Most people will never launch the big project they’ve been talking about. Why? Because they get overwhelmed and never find enough time to devote to this larger project. If you are overwhelmed or stalled on a project, steal my go-to momentum tool. This strategy helped me write a book in 12 weeks, launch a course in 2 months and start a newsletter in a month. “The Kit Kat Strategy” Step 1: Identify a big project Step 2: Break it into 4 parts Step 3: Take one part - try to tackle it. Step 4: overwhelmed? Repeat steps 2-3. Example: perhaps you want to start a newsletter but feel overwhelmed. Break it into 4 parts. - landing page - content strategy - template - welcome email Now let’s say you take the landing page and feel overwhelmed by that. Break it into 4 parts. - copy - design - connections - images Now let’s say you are overwhelmed with the copy….break it down again. - Hero copy - value props - UGC - FAQs Eventually you get the project small enough where it feels manageable and you can build momentum. Momentum > Completion Hope this is helpful!

Feeling stuck? It may be a case of what I call "analysis paralysis." You know the deal—you’ve got a project or decision to make, but instead of moving forward, you’re drowning in options. That’s analysis paralysis, and it’s a productivity killer. Here are a few tricks to break free: 1. Think small. Big-picture thinking is great for vision, but when it’s time to act, focus on just the first minute of activity. What’s the tiniest step you can take right now? 2. One step at a time. Stop juggling 10 steps in your head. Just focus on the next thing to do. 3. Break it down. Is a huge project overwhelming you? Cut it in half. Then do it again. Keep going until you’ve got a step so simple it feels like second nature. 4. Set a timer. Give yourself a time limit to think or act—whether it’s 10 minutes or 30. It’s amazing how creativity kicks in when you’re racing the clock. 5. Progress > Perfection. Forget about perfect. Every small action moves you closer to done—and done is better than stuck! No magic formula here—just simple steps to keep the momentum alive. What’s your go-to trick for beating analysis paralysis? #bestadvice #productivity #davecrenshaw