Simple Shifts Forward Podcast
Episode 04: Easy Steps to Beat Procrastination (S3E4)
Easy Steps to Beat Procrastination. Motivation is like the weather — unpredictable. If you wait for it, you might wait forever. In this Clarity Chat, Dana shares a funny family story and explains why taking one tiny step is more powerful than waiting for the perfect moment.
You’ll learn:
- Why motivation isn’t the spark you think it is.
- The “tiny step” principle that builds real momentum.
- Every day, examples you can try right away.
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“You don’t need a giant burst of motivation — you just need one tiny step.”
Full Transcript
Hi, I’m Dana. Let’s talk about why progress comes from small steps, not waiting around for motivation.
Let me tell you a story About My Dad: My dad was a master procrastinator. His favorite line was: “I’m getting ready to start thinking about doing it.”
It always made me laugh — but it also bugged me. As a Type A kid, I couldn’t stand inaction. Ironically, he wasn’t bothered at all. I was the one bothered.
So that leads me to the The Motivation Myth: We tell ourselves: “When I feel ready, I’ll start.”
But motivation is like the weather — unpredictable. If you wait for it, you may never begin.
So then what do we do? In comes the Power of Tiny Steps: Tiny steps bypass the motivation trap.
Examples:
o Putting on sneakers instead of running three miles.
o Opening your laptop instead of finishing a report.
o Washing one plate instead of scrubbing the whole kitchen.
Once you begin, energy shows up. Momentum builds. Like pushing a swing — the hardest part is the first push.
Bonus Takeaway: Most people wait to feel motivated before they act. But it works the other way around: action sparks motivation.
Reflection Prompt: What’s one tiny step you could take today? Something so small it feels almost laughable — but once you do it, you’re in motion.
Everyday Examples:
o Write one sentence — not a chapter.
o Send one text — not overhaul your social life.
o Drink one glass of water — not change your whole diet.
As we wrap up, I will circle back to my dad story from earlier… Looking back, I realize my dad’s procrastination taught me something valuable — I don’t want to wait for “someday.” I’d rather start small today than laugh later about what I never began
In closing:
So I hope you feel a bit inspired to take action today. don’t wait for motivation to strike. Just take one tiny step. You’ll be surprised how far it carries you.
Thanks for spending this moment with me — I’ll see you in the next talk.
💭 Reflection Prompt:
What’s one tiny step you could take today? Something so small it feels almost laughable — but once you do it, you’re in motion.
Your Next Steps
