The #1 Reason Procrastination Keeps Winning (and How to Beat It)

Read time: 5 minutes

Procrastination isn’t just about laziness—it’s often the result of unnecessary rules we create for ourselves.

You know the drill. You set a goal, but somewhere along the way, you start building these invisible rules:

• “I can’t start until I have everything in order.”
• “I need the perfect environment to be productive.”
• “There’s no way I can move forward without feedback from …”

It feels like you’re waiting for the perfect moment to begin, but that moment never comes. And before you know it, you’re stuck in a loop, going nowhere fast. These hidden rules are the real culprits, keeping you stuck and delaying progress.

But how do I know this? I’ve lived it. I’ve experienced it. And even now, there are days when that old mindset sneaks in and slows me down.

Here’s a recent example.

When my family moved into this house, we now call home, one of the tasks at the top of my priority list was to set up my studio space so I had a place to work and record. But almost immediately, I convinced myself I needed to have the “perfect” setup and create the “right” mood before I could share anything I produced in this room.

Looking back, I realize how ridiculous that was. I was procrastinating because of the rules I created in my head.

And maybe you’re caught in similar patterns without even realizing it. The good news is that this behavior is just a bad habit we must recognize and retrain.

So, let’s talk about the secret rules that are holding you back—and I’ll show you how to identify and challenge them. By the end of this, you’ll be ready to take immediate action toward your goals—no perfection required.

The Hidden Truth

We all follow hidden rules—whether we realize it or not.

The tricky thing is these rules aren’t always obvious. They often take the form of small, almost invisible habits we’ve created to feel more in control or to avoid discomfort. These habits stem from a mix of self-imposed expectations and behaviors we’ve adopted over time.

For example, you might believe that you can only be productive if you work in complete silence or that you must perfect every detail before moving forward. We often treat these mental barriers as necessary, but it’s important to pause and challenge those beliefs.

In most cases, we create these rules because we think they’re essential for success. However, they often slow us down instead.

The Negative Impact of This Reality

So why do these hidden rules hold us back?

The first problem is they make progress feel impossible. When you’re trapped in a cycle of perfectionism or rigid “rules,” you constantly wait for the perfect conditions. You might feel like you can’t move forward until everything aligns, and as a result, nothing gets done.

The second problem is mental overwhelm. As you juggle more and more rules in your head, you create a backlog of tasks that feel unmanageable. Instead of focusing on what truly matters, you become bogged down by unnecessary steps.

And finally, it kills momentum. Momentum is built on taking action, but when self-imposed rules weigh you down, even the smallest task can feel like a mountain to climb. This isn’t just frustrating—it’s demoralizing.

These rules not only slow us down, but they also make us feel stuck—and the longer we follow them, the harder it is to move forward.

How to Identify and Challenge the Rules You’re Creating

Now that we know these rules are holding us back, the good news is that we can change them.

Here’s how you can start.

Step 1: Reflect on a current goal you’re working on.

Think about one thing you’ve been putting off or delaying. What’s been stopping you from getting started?

Step 2: Identify the hidden rules at play.

Ask yourself:

• What do I think I need to do before I can start this?
• What’s the “right” way I’ve convinced myself to approach this?
• What am I waiting for to feel “ready”?

You’ll likely uncover that some of the rules you’ve been following don’t help—like waiting for the perfect environment or needing validation before you move forward.

Step 3: Challenge those rules.

Once you’ve identified a hidden rule, ask yourself:

• Why do I think this rule is necessary?
• What would happen if I ignored it?
• How can I take action on this goal without waiting for the “perfect” conditions?

Remember, rules like “I can’t start until everything is perfect” are just beliefs you’ve been following without questioning them. When you challenge them, you’ll realize how much freedom and progress awaits on the other side.

Create a New Rule That Serves Your Goals

Once you’ve identified and challenged a hidden rule, it’s time to replace it with a new, actionable rule that serves your goals.

For example, instead of thinking, “I can’t start until everything is perfect,” reframe it to something like:

• “I’ll start with what I have and adjust along the way.”
• “I’ll take the first step, even if it’s messy, and learn as I go.”

This new rule should empower you to act and make progress without waiting for the perfect moment. It must be practical, easy to follow, and something you can act on right now.

Once you’ve nailed this down, the next part is putting it into action. And from this point on, there are only two things you must remember:

1. Commitment
2. Consistency

Here’s a simple reminder I keep in my back pocket whenever I need it: momentum comes from doing, not from overthinking—and commitment means showing up every day, no matter how small or imperfect.

But here’s the thing: it doesn’t stop after taking that first step. Consistency is what keeps the momentum alive. Breaking free from hidden rules is a process, not a one-time fix. It’s easy to slip back into old habits, especially when things get tough. But the more you challenge these unnecessary rules and keep taking action, the easier it becomes to maintain momentum.

One way to keep consistency high is by scheduling time each day or week to check in with your goals. Ask yourself:

• What small action can I take today to move closer to my goal?
• Is there a rule I’ve been following that’s holding me back again?
• How can I challenge that rule to keep making progress?

By making this a habit, you’ll continuously break down the barriers you’ve created and keep building the momentum that leads to success.

The Bottom Line

At the end of the day, it’s not about being perfect—it’s about progress. The rules you’ve created for yourself don’t have to be followed. Instead, create new rules that serve your goals, take small actions, and stay consistent.

When you stop letting these invisible rules control you, you’ll start seeing real progress toward the things that matter and the life you’re creating.

That’s all for today.

See you next Sunday.