These 5 simple rules helped me stop procrastinating and actually finish what I start

Working remotely with a flexible schedule sounds like the dream. No commute, no strict office hours, just you and your laptop.

But here’s the truth: it’s dangerously easy to waste half the day scrolling, making “another coffee,” or convincing yourself you’ll get to the important stuff later.

I know because I lived it. For a long time, I was great at starting things—projects, workouts, even small daily tasks—but terrible at finishing. My days looked busy, but my to-do list didn’t shrink.

Over time, I realized procrastination wasn’t just laziness; it was a mix of habits, mindset, and fear. The good news? I found a handful of rules that actually worked for me.

Here are the five simple rules that finally helped me take control of my time and finish what I start.

1. Eat the frog first

Mark Twain once joked, “Eat a live frog first thing in the morning, and nothing worse will happen to you the rest of the day”.

It was a joke but that’s the rule I follow now: do the hardest, ugliest task first.

Why? Because those tasks don’t go away. They sit in the back of your mind all day, draining energy. And often, they’re the very things that will move your life or career forward.

I used to delay writing pitches until the afternoon. By then, I was already drained, and the quality suffered. When I flipped it—making pitches my first priority—the stress disappeared, and my afternoons felt lighter.

If you’re honest, you already know what your “frog” is today. Tackle it before anything else.

2. Focus on systems, not just goals

We all love setting goals. “I’ll write a book this year.” “I’ll get in shape by summer.”

But goals don’t get you there—systems do. Habit expert James Clear put it perfectly: “You do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems”.

I used to tell myself I’d “write an article this week.” But I didn’t have a system. Now I block out two hours every morning, no matter what. That system ensures the article gets written.

Systems make procrastination harder because they reduce decision fatigue. You don’t have to ask, “When will I do this?”—the schedule already decided for you.

It’s not about aiming higher, it’s about building habits that carry you there.

3. Say no to almost everything

I used to say yes to everything—coffee chats, side projects, “quick favors.” Before I knew it, my day was full of other people’s priorities, not mine.

That changed when I came across Warren Buffett’s advice: “The difference between successful people and really successful people is that really successful people say no to almost everything”.

It hit me. If I kept saying yes, I’d never get my own work done.

Now, when an invitation comes in, I pause and ask: does this align with my main focus right now? If the answer is no, I politely decline.

Saying no is uncomfortable at first. But every “no” to something unimportant is a “yes” to what actually matters.

4. Just start

This one sounds almost too simple, but it’s been a lifesaver: just start.

The truth is, procrastination often comes from overthinking. You look at the big project and feel overwhelmed. You tell yourself you’ll start when you’re “ready.”

The trick? Lower the bar. Commit to five minutes. Open the document, write a few sentences, or put on your running shoes. Nine times out of ten, momentum takes over.

I can’t count the times I’ve opened a blank page thinking I’d only write a paragraph, and an hour later I was deep into a full draft.

Starting is the hardest part. After that, finishing becomes a lot more natural.

5. Track progress and celebrate small wins

Finally, I learned to stop obsessing over the big finish line and start celebrating small wins.

If you only measure success by the end result, you’ll always feel like you’re failing until it’s done. That mindset fuels procrastination.

Now, I keep a simple checklist of daily actions: send one pitch, write 500 words, exercise for 30 minutes. Every tick on that list feels like progress.

It’s like cooking a multi-course meal: you don’t wait until dessert to feel accomplished. You enjoy each dish as it comes together.

Small wins keep the motivation alive long enough to see the big projects through.

The bottom line

Procrastination isn’t about being lazy—it’s about how you structure your day and where you put your focus.

For me, the turning point came when I stopped waiting for motivation and started relying on rules. Eat the frog. Build systems. Say no. Just start. Track wins.

They’re simple, but they work.

If you’re tired of half-finished projects and to-do lists that never shrink, pick one of these rules and try it tomorrow morning. You might be surprised how quickly momentum builds.

And when you do finish? That feeling beats procrastination every single time.