A Tiny Solution to Procrastination

Is there an effective solution to procrastination? Fortunately, for some, yes. People usually procrastinate on good financial decisions because their brain is trying to protect them from discomfort, uncertainty, and effort.

Looking at debt, retirement gaps, or spending patterns can trigger shame, fear, or regret. Procrastination gives short‑term relief from those feelings, even though it makes the long‑term problem worse. “I’ll deal with it later” becomes a way to avoid feeling bad right now.

Another factor is complexity and feeling overwhelmed. Financial decisions often involve jargon, forms, fine print, and lots of options. When something feels too big or fuzzy (“I need to get my whole financial life together”), the brain treats it like a threat and goes into freeze mode. Without a clear, manageable next step, it’s easier to do nothing.

There’s also present bias: our brains are wired to value comfort and rewards today more than benefits in the future. Saving for retirement, buying insurance, or paying extra on debt produces no immediate “hit” of satisfaction, while spending or ignoring the issue can feel good now. Even when people fully understand the logic, the emotional pull of the present wins.

Fear of making the wrong choice shows up too. Many people worry, “What if I pick the wrong account, advisor, or strategy?” That fear of regret makes inaction feel safer than imperfect action. This can be stronger for those who’ve had bad financial experiences, losses, or felt judged about money before.

Habits and environment play a big role. If someone is used to not checking accounts, paying things at the last minute, or handling money reactively, that pattern tends to continue by default. Friction—like not having logins handy, paperwork scattered, or no quiet time reserved—also subtly pushes decisions off to “later.”

Finally, identity and beliefs can keep people stuck. Messages like “I’m just not good with money,” “I’ll never catch up,” or “People like me don’t retire comfortably” become self‑fulfilling. If someone doesn’t truly believe change is possible or worth it, their motivation to act stays low, even if they logically “know” what would help.

The good news is procrastination can be managed to make your current habits work for, instead of against, you. For example, let's say you rarely balance your checkbook, and as a result, you don't know where you stand budget wise each month which causes a number of problems. Here are the steps to build a better habit:

1. Break the task, "balancing your checkbook", down into tiny, sometimes ridiculously small, steps, then start with the first step. "I will open my banking app and find the current balance." Also, consider writing out each small step first, which can be incredibly powerful, and a quick, motivational "win".

2. Anchor the step to an existing routine. "On Saturday morning, I make myself a cup of hazelnut coffee. After pouring it into my favorite cup, I will open my banking app, and write down the current balance."

3. Immediately celebrate, and reward yourself. A scone or muffin, perhaps? Choose a reward that works for you.

4. If possible, consider adding the next step while you're basking in the glow of a "win." If you feel resistance surge, stop, and identify the best time to tackle the next step with another anchoring routine.

5. Repeat this process until all steps are done.

A quick way of summarizing this approach is to remember, "You eat an elephant one bite at a time." The point is not the size of the action but building positive momentum through tiny steps, while generating an emotional result that works to your benefit.