Here are 10 practical ways to stop procrastinating and to get real work done:

1. Remove easy distractions. If you cannot put your phone away, delete social media apps. Use them only on your laptop.

2. Make your phone less appealing. Switch the screen to black and white. Ask ChatGPT how to turn on grayscale. You can even reduce the screen brightness to make it less stimulating.

3. Decide beforehand. Plan your meals and workouts for the week. Stop spending energy making the same decisions every day. Decision fatigue is real and can lead you to burn out.

4. Set a non-negotiable time for the work you keep avoiding. No busy work allowed. The task is often bigger in your head than it is in reality. Completing these tasks builds confidence and helps you tackle more of the work you keep avoiding.

5. Stop answering personal calls during work. Not even to say you are busy. Return calls and texts when you are done.

6. Stay calm through unavoidable interruptions. A crying toddler needs attention. Attend to them, then return to your work. Getting worked up makes it harder to refocus. Be intentional about where your energy goes.

7. Let unimportant things wait. Dust, laundry, and dishes can wait. Finish what is on your priority list first.

8. Keep everyday meals and routines predictable. Boring gives you more room to focus. Save fancy dishes for special occasions.

9. Do one thing at a time. Our home motto when things feel overwhelming is, “One thing at a time, and everything gets done.” We even have a song we sing. Stay present. Be in the task. Stop checking the clock. Finish one thing, then move to the next.

10. Complain less. Focus on what you can control. Some days carry more demands than others. Sometimes, things get pushed to the next day. That is okay. Put your energy into the next action you can take.

Protect your work time, finish the task, and repeat tomorrow.