The Truth About Procrastination (and How One Tiny Step Can Change Everything)

Yesterday, I co-hosted a unique online gathering—a Procrastination Party. It was a space for people to share the things they keep putting off, from getting out of bed early to going for a walk to having a long-overdue conversation. And it was fascinating.

As the stories unfolded, I couldn’t help but think about how often procrastination is the silent force behind why we don’t speak up. We know what we want. We know what we need. And yet, we don’t act on it.

Why?

Because procrastination isn’t just about laziness or poor time management. It’s deeply rooted in the way we’ve been conditioned to think and behave—especially if you’ve been running on the “Good Girl Operating System” for years. Your brain says things like, “That’s not who you are,” or “You don’t want to cause a fuss.” So instead of setting a boundary or making a change, you freeze.

Here’s the good news: breaking that pattern doesn’t require a huge leap. It just takes one small, intentional step.

Whether you’re procrastinating about exercising, speaking up in a meeting, or finally setting that boundary, tiny steps create momentum. They spark accomplishment. And most importantly, they help you feel safe enough to move forward.

When I created the NICE process for setting boundaries, I didn’t design it to fight procrastination—but it turns out, it’s a powerful antidote.

Let’s say you’re avoiding setting a boundary because you’re afraid of upsetting someone. You don’t have to set it today. Just take the first step in the NICE process:

N = Notice.
Notice what you’re feeling. When someone crosses your boundary, even subtly, your body knows. You might feel frustration, tension, anxiety, or even sadness. Simply acknowledging that emotion is a step forward. It’s not confrontational. It doesn’t require action. It’s just you honoring your own experience.

That’s enough for today.

And when you’re ready, you can take the next step: I = Identify.
What do you want instead of what’s happening? Clarity creates courage.

Procrastination loses its grip when you stop judging yourself and start breaking things down into doable pieces. That’s how you build momentum—and ultimately, that’s how you reclaim your voice.

Want to know where procrastination might be hiding in your life?
Take the Nurses Boundary Impact Quiz and discover what area of your life could transform with just one small shift.

You’re not lazy. You’re just overdue for something different. And it starts with one small step.