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Learning to Shut Down My Procrastination Excuses

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If there’s one thing I’ve learned about procrastination, it’s that most of the battle happens in my own head. In earlier modules, I realized how often I make excuses that justify putting things off — and how those excuses feel so reasonable in the moment. But Module 4 showed me something huge: the way I talk to myself is either feeding my procrastination or fighting it.

This module forced me to face two kinds of self-talk that keep me stuck:

  1. The excuses that make procrastination feel “OK”.

  2. The self-criticism that makes me feel worse and lowers my motivation even more.

And honestly? Both of these patterns have been running my life more than I realized.

Changing the Story I Tell Myself

The biggest takeaway from this module is that procrastination often begins with a small truth… and then spirals into an unhelpful conclusion.

For example:

  • Truth: “I’m tired.”

  • Unhelpful conclusion: “I’ll definitely do better if I wait until later.”

At first, the conclusion seems logical. But when I really think about it, it’s basically me betting on a magical future version of myself who suddenly wakes up more inspired, less tired, and surrounded by perfect conditions. Spoiler: that version of me rarely shows up.

Module 4 taught me that I need to challenge these conclusion jumps — almost like becoming a detective investigating my own thoughts.

Becoming My Own Detective

This part felt surprisingly powerful. The module introduced “disputation questions,” which basically help me fact-check my excuses.

Some examples:

  • Is there real evidence that waiting will make this easier?

  • Can I start even one small part right now?

  • If I start now, how might I feel after?

  • If I don’t start now, how will that affect me later?

Using these questions, I realized how often my excuses fall apart when I actually test them instead of automatically believing them.

For instance, one of my biggest excuses is:

“I don’t have enough time to do all of it — so I’ll wait until I do.”

But the reality?

  • I do have time to start.

  • Starting makes the task feel smaller.

  • Waiting makes it heavier, scarier, and more stressful.

By challenging myself with the module’s questions, I was able to turn my original excuse into a new conclusion:

“I don’t have enough time to finish everything — but I can still get part of it done right now.”

It sounds simple, but it genuinely changed how I approached my tasks this week.

Testing My Own Theories

Another thing I really liked was the idea of experimenting with my procrastination beliefs.

Instead of assuming things like:

  • “I’ll feel more motivated tomorrow,”

  • “I work better under pressure,”

  • “I need all my resources before starting,”

…the module pushed me to test them.

So I did.

And the results were kind of embarrassing.Every time I forced myself to start for even five minutes — especially when I was tired, unmotivated, or “not in the mood” — I actually felt better after starting. My energy went up. My mood lifted. The task felt less impossible.

The whole “I’ll do it when I feel more motivated” excuse is basically a trap.

Rewriting the Way I Talk to Myself

The second half of the module hit even harder. It focused on how self-criticism destroys motivation.

I know I’m not the only one who thinks:

  • “Why am I like this?”

  • “I should be done by now.”

  • “Everyone else can do this — what’s wrong with me?”

But the module reminded me that criticizing myself doesn’t help me change. It just pushes me deeper into avoidance.

So I practiced replacing that harsh voice with something more motivating — something I’d actually say to a friend.

Instead of:

“I must finish this. Why can’t I get it together?”

I tried:

“I will finish this. It’s just going to take time, and that’s okay. Let’s focus on the next step.”

Instead of:

“I’m so lazy.”

I reframed it to:

“Not starting doesn’t mean anything about who I am. I can choose to take one small step right now.”

The difference in how it made me feel was huge.


Final Reflection

Module 4 helped me understand that procrastination isn’t just about time management — it’s about thought management. My excuses and my self-criticisms work together to keep me stuck, but I can challenge both.

My new reminders to myself:

  • I don’t need the perfect moment to start.

  • A small start is still a start.

  • Motivation often comes after taking action.

  • Being kind to myself helps me move forward more than shaming ever will.

This module didn’t just teach me strategies — it helped me see myself in a different light. And honestly? That feels like progress.


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