Four years ago, I lost one of my closest friends to a heart attack. Jarret Golwitzer and I were the same age and grew up together through high school years. We had fished together, golfed together, laughed with our families, and built memories that still make me smile. I knew him and his family very well.

But here’s the truth I wish I could rewrite: I never told him how much he meant to me while he was alive.

Now, each summer, we host a memorial golf outing in his honor. The proceeds provide scholarships for students at three schools where we grew up. It’s a beautiful tribute. And yet, I carry a quiet regret. Why didn’t I tell him directly how much he meant to me while he was alive?

That’s the hidden danger of procrastination. It doesn’t just keep us from cleaning the garage or finishing a project at work. It can rob us of moments that matter most—words left unsaid, decisions postponed, conversations avoided.

We all procrastinate. Sometimes it’s because of fear, sometimes it’s because of perfectionism, and sometimes it’s simply easier to do nothing. But here’s the brutal truth: waiting rarely makes things easier. It usually makes them heavier.

So how do we break the cycle? Here are five practical steps you can take today:

1. Name the Real Reason You’re Delaying

Be honest with yourself. Are you afraid of rejection? Worried about conflict? Or just overwhelmed? Naming the reason pulls the shadow into the light. Suddenly, it’s not a vague dread—it’s a challenge you can actually address.

2. Shrink the Task

Big projects—whether personal or professional—loom larger the longer we avoid them. Break them down. Instead of “finish the report,” write the first paragraph. Instead of “call my sister to heal a rift,” send a simple text: “Thinking of you.” Small beginnings break inertia.

3. Use the 24-Hour Rule

If it’s on your mind today, act on it within 24 hours. Make the appointment. Send the note. Have the tough conversation. Time is not guaranteed. My friend’s passing taught me that with painful clarity.

4. Rehearse the Hard Conversation

Many of us avoid emotionally charged topics at work or home because we don’t know how they’ll land. Try rehearsing your opening line aloud. Often the act of speaking it—even privately—releases the fear and gives you courage to begin.

5. Visualize the Aftermath

Ask yourself: What relief or joy will I feel once this is done? Picture the clean slate, the reconciled relationship, or the problem no longer hanging over you. That positive picture can carry you through the discomfort of starting.

Procrastination is an internal battle, but its consequences spill into our external world. It can strain teams at work when deadlines slip, or distance us from loved ones when words remain unspoken. The antidote isn’t perfection - it’s action. Even the smallest step forward is a victory.

So let me ask you: Who do you need to call today? What conversation at work are you avoiding? What dream are you waiting to pursue “someday”?  Make a list, prioritize things, and get after it.

Don’t wait. Say the words. Start the work. Take the step.

Because life is shorter than we think.

And the cost of waiting is far greater than the discomfort of beginning.

Check out my website for FREE resources and more at www.therivercoach.org
Got a question? Send it directly to Tony at [email protected]