Can't get going?! How to beat procrastination!

Just waiting for inspiration to do that "thing" you've always wanted to do? But can't get going?

Rosie heard a Mel Robbins Podcast*, featuring guest Seth Godin, who had some really good suggestions for moving ahead with any project we may be stuck on... from writing a book, to clearing out the attic!

These are the main points:

1) So we feel we have a problem or situation stopping us from getting on with it?

Problems have solutions, and though we may not like what those solutions are, there's always something we can do.

Situations don't have solutions, so we have to accept that. An example of a situation is that maybe it's raining during our holiday. We can't alter that fact. Therefore we have to decide whether we want to "be a victim" and let it stop us doing what we desire to do. Or take it forward in a positive way.

So we can use the word "but" or "and". Saying "I'm on holiday but it's raining" implies our holiday is ruined. Whereas saying "I'm on holiday and it's raining" means we can look at other opportunities for enjoying or entertaining ourselves according to the circumstances. Think about how you can use an "AND" rather than a "BUT" for your project!

2) We may find we have "resistance" to doing the important thing we want to do. This implies there is work to be done to bring our project to fruition. Productive and useful work makes us fully alive. It gives us a gratifying life, and a feeling that we have done something for the greater good of the world!

3) Seth says our watchword should be "pick yourself". We can't just sit around waiting for others to "pick us" to do something. We need to just do it and put it forward ourselves. For example, if we want to be a writer, we can start by writing and producing a book on PDF, and just give it to 20 people for free, and ask them to share it with others. So we can say "here, I made this". It may take off from there. Or it may at least provoke constructive feedback that inspires us to write something better.

4) Are our loved ones being negative about our new project? Seth says it may be down to fear.

There are three things that motivate people:

status (our position in society or the family),

affiliation (how we fit in with our peers),

and fear (underlying them both).

So even our loved ones who we thought would support us might be fearful and resistant to our new life intentions. Try to perceive how you can handle the new "problems" or "situations" that have now come into play.

5) If you've been sitting on a project, waiting, it is your choice! No-one is stopping you. You are just hiding. It is a normal thing to do. But if you really want to get ahead, just get on with it. Do it under an assumed name if necessary. Once you've really got started with it, you will want to claim ownership of it.

Seth says there's something called "intentional design": you need to ask "who's it for?", and "what's it for?". The smallest audience for "who's it for?" may be just one family member who notices when you have, say, cleared out the attic! And the smallest item for "what's it for?" is a small aspect of your intended product or project. Like helping at an animal shelter if you're intending to train as a vet nurse.

6) When you bring your work to the world, make it a gift, with no strings attached. Don't look for praise and thanks in return, from others. Adhere genuinely to the ethos "here, I made this". Relying on someone else for gratification or remuneration is a recipe for disappointment.

7) The "and" option to our new project is ultimately putting it into the world to make the world a better place - the connection between "doing our thing" well, and consequentially improving the bigger picture at the same time. You can be a catalyst for greater things. Make your project "remarkable" in the respect that people "remark" about the impression you've made on them. It shouldn't be a status thing. We're back to "who's it for, what's it for"?

8) Don't aim for "perfection". Just ship it. Quality means meeting "spec." Trying to get better than "spec" is a waste. "Perfection" just doesn't exist. You can tweak things forever, trying to get them "perfect". So just ship it. Don't obsess. Stop overthinking!

9) We become what we do. (For example, if you want to be "a truthful person", just start by telling the truth!). We can "live into" our role. The concept of "authenticity" is overrated, spawned by social media. The secret of being of service and getting people's attention, is to be consistent, as opposed to being "authentic" (i.e. moody, reactive, inconsistent).

Being a "professional" is making a promise and keeping it. Adopt a consistent role of "the best version of me", that is not at odds with who you really want to be. Not to have to "act out" in contradiction of your nature. That will burn you out.

Seth Godin's final words are "Go make a ruckus". Which he defines as "work that matters for people who care".

*The Mel Robbins Podcast, 12th March 2026: Simple Steps for Getting Unstuck: Do THIS and Change Your Life

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