You’ve probably heard that quote before—maybe even said it yourself with a wry smile. I know I have. It’s funny, but it’s also painfully true. Tomorrow is where we file away all the things we don’t want to deal with today. That tough conversation? Tomorrow. Starting the new routine? Tomorrow. Cleaning out the garage, writing the thank-you note, finally reading that book? You guessed it—tomorrow.
The problem is that tomorrow has no limits. It can hold anything and everything. So we keep piling it up, thinking we’ll have more time, energy, and motivation. But the truth is, tomorrow never shows up as we imagine it.
So how do we break the habit of “I’ll do it later”? Here are six practical ways to move from procrastination to action:
- Shrink the Task
Most of the time, we procrastinate because the task feels too big. So instead of saying, “I need to write the whole report,” say, “Let me write just the first paragraph.” Instead of saying, “I have to clean the house,” say, “I’ll start with the kitchen counter.” Small steps create momentum, which creates progress.
- Schedule It Like It Matters—Because It Does
If it’s not on your calendar, it’s just wishful thinking. Block time for the task you’ve been avoiding. Treat it like a meeting with yourself—and keep the appointment. The act of scheduling turns “someday” into “today at 2:00 p.m.”
- Set a Timer
Permit yourself to work on something for just 10 or 15 minutes. Set a timer and start. You’ll often find that once you begin, the resistance fades, and you’ll keep going. Even if you stop at 15 minutes, that’s 15 more than you had yesterday.
- Focus on the Why, Not Just the What
Why does this task matter? What’s on the other side of it? It gets easier to begin when I reconnect with the purpose behind the action—whether it’s peace of mind, progress toward a goal, or simply less stress. Your “why” is your fuel.
- Limit Your “Maybes”
Don’t clutter your mental space with a long list of “I might do this tomorrow.” Choose one thing. Prioritize it. Decide in advance that it’s important enough to deserve your attention. That clarity makes it far more likely you’ll follow through.
- Reward Progress, Not Perfection
Celebrate small wins. Checked one thing off the list? Great. Took one step forward? Even better. The goal isn’t to be perfect—it’s to move. And when you reward action, even in tiny doses, you reinforce a healthy habit.
So, the next time you catch yourself saying, “I’ll do it tomorrow,” pause and ask: “What’s one small thing I can do today?” Because today is where change begins. We do not keep imagining the perfect future, but the imperfect, beautiful now.
