Here are the top 100 powerful affirmations to overcome procrastination. Procrastination is truly the worst and can feel incredibly frustrating because you are the person in your own way.
These affirmations will help you become the person you need to be to get ish done! No more doom-scrolling on TikTok, no more watching hours and hours of YouTube videos and definitely no more revenge bedtime procrastination.
Today, you’re choosing a new path.
Procrastination is something that I’ve struggled with for years and have spent my whole adult life researching because it is a fascinating subject. And as a Mindset and Productivity Coach for perfectionists, I’ve found really simple and easy ways to help my clients shift their mindset.
Some of these affirmations are specific for students and employees and others break down different areas that cause you to get stuck in the perfectionism-procrastination loop.
Why are you procrastinating?
Being stuck in a procrastination cycle is such a horrible feeling because you know that you should be working on your goals, you want to work on your goals but for some reason, you are compelled not to.
This feeling of wanting to do but not doing brings about a lot of shame and guilt which further perpetuates the negative cycle. Shame keeps you stuck.
If you want to learn how to stop procrastinating, you need to dive deeper into your mind and find out the reasons why you’re avoiding the goals you set out to achieve.
Is it fear of failure? Fear of success? Or simply, a lack of desire for the task.
Maybe, procrastination is meeting an unmet need and is not actually a form of self-sabotage. There are 6 basic human needs:
- Certainty
- Uncertainty
- Significance
- Love and connection
- Personal growth
- Contribution
For example, I know that if I use Instagram as a procrastination tool, is because I am meeting the need for 1) love/connection 2) certainty and 3) significance. And since it meets 3 needs, it’s much harder for me to break the procrastination habit but awareness is key.
Why these affirmations will help you stop procrastinating
Affirmations help to reframe your procrastination habits and focus them on your desired goals. These ones are written in the present tense and designed to help you shift your mindset from shame/guilt to self-compassion and progress over perfection.
I know we’re all busy people so I have broken them down into different subcategories depending on your needs. For example, there are ones specific for students and employees, short affirmations and I am affirmations.
Positive mindset affirmations
- I see challenges as chances to grow and as evidence that I am learning
- Today, I know I can handle whatever comes my way
- I don’t have to know everything right now because I am smart enough to figure things out as I go along
- I’m focusing on what I can do today
- I am doing the next and most necessary thing
- I am successful now, in the past and always in the future
- I put my energy into what feels right and let go of the rest
- My work ethic is powerful and diligent
- I’m showing up for myself today
- I’m capable of more than I can even imagine
Embracing imperfect action affirmations
- Starting messy is still starting. I can polish things as I go.
- Perfection isn’t required to make progress. I’m showing up, and that’s enough.
- Today, I’m letting go of getting it ‘just right’ and focusing on just getting it done
- I’d rather be moving forward imperfectly than standing still
- Today’s a chance to do things a little better than yesterday
- I am moving the needle forward no matter what
- I love starting small and scrappy because it means I am making progress
Overcoming doubt affirmations
- I don’t need to have all the answers right now. I trust myself to figure it out
- I am talented, I am smart and I made it this far so I can make it even further
- Doubt is just a feeling and it doesn’t rule my life
- Today, I trust myself a little more than yesterday
- I am 100% sure my dreams will come true because I will always work towards them
- My confidence grows with action
- I don’t need anyone else’s permission to go after what matters to me
- Doubt doesn’t mean I’m unprepared—it just means I’m stepping into something new
- I’m focusing on what I can do
- I have everything I need to make this work
- I’m stronger than any second-guessing
Creating a sense of urgency affirmations
- There’s no better time to start than right now
- I take action now and thank myself later
- I’m choosing to tackle this now so future me has less to worry about
- Instead of overthinking, I’ll just do the first thing that comes to mind
- I can start with five minutes and if that’s all I can do, I’ll still be proud
- Now is the best time to get moving because later is not worth it
- I don’t need a perfect plan to get started
- I’m one step closer to achieving my goal
- I’m done overthinking
Done list affirmations
- Progress is progress and that is all that matters
- I have achieved so much already so completing another small task is easy for me
- I did a lot today, and I am proud of myself
- I’m giving myself credit for the little wins because they add up
- Today, I’m focusing on what I did get done rather than what’s left
- I’m allowed to be proud of any progress I make
- I’m choosing to focus on what went right today
- I did my best today, and that’s more than enough
- Each completed task reminds me that I’m capable and committed to my goals
- I know that I am good enough
- I’m building momentum one completed task at a time and I’ll keep going
The 5 Second rule affirmations
- In five seconds, I’m getting started, even if I don’t feel ready. 5,4,3,2,1
- In the next five seconds, I’m taking that first step because I don’t have time to overthink
- I’m choosing action over hesitation
- 5 seconds is enough time to turn my thoughts into actio
- I’m giving myself permission to start without waiting for perfect conditions
- 5 – I am capable of taking on whatever comes my way today
- 4 – I believe in my ability to make progress
- 3 – I trust myself to start now and figure things out as I go
- 2 – I choose to take action instead of waiting for the ‘perfect’ moment.
- 1 – I’m ready to move forward now!
Short positive affirmations
- I’ve got this
- I’m learning and growing
- I don’t need to rush
- I am more capable than I sometimes give myself credit for
- My work ethic is amazing
- I’m doing my best, and that’s enough
- I am moving forward with purpose
- I trust my own judgement
- Today, I choose positivity
- I love myself enough to chase my goals
- I am in control of my day
I am affirmations
- I am learning to trust myself and my choices
- I am capable of facing big challenges
- I am allowed to take my time and go at my own pace
- I am enough, just as I am, even if I don’t get everything right
- I am becoming more confident in myself each day
- I am strong, capable, and determined
- I am stronger than my desire to procrastinate
- I am grateful for the journey I’m on
- I am becoming the person I want to be
- I am worthy of achieving my goals
- I am calm, focused, and ready to take on today
- I am exactly where I need to be to learn and grow
- I am proud of the progress I’m making
Anti-procrastination affirmations for students
- Future me loves the fact that I started studying now
- My focus on this task is an investment in my goals and future
- I am capable of understanding this study material
- I am taking one step by reading a page of my assignment now
- Writing a sentence for my essay feels good
- By reviewing my class notes now, I’m making study time easier for myself
- I am making progress by reading this section today
- I am creating clarity by organising my notes right now
- I am putting in the effort now so that I’ll feel more relaxed during exams
Affirmations to stop procrastinating at work
- I am replying to this email now to clear my inbox and stay on top of my work
- Creating the first slide of this presentation makes me feel accomplished
- I am taking action on this report because I am a diligent worker
- Summarising my meeting notes now is keeping me organised and prepared
- Adding one entry to this spreadsheet now keeps my work manageable
- I am building momentum by working on this report for 5 minutes
- I love being organised because it reduces my stress levels
- Starting on this report is helping me feel organised and proactive
- A first draft is progress
How to use these affirmations effectively
There are a few things you can do to get the most out of using these affirmations:
- Pick one or two to repeat every single day
- Say them out loud, don’t just repeat them in your head
- Visualise the ideal version of you who would have these positive thoughts naturally. How do they show up in the world, what do they do? Become that person
- Tap into your feelings. What does it feel like to stop procrastinating
- Habit stack them. Pick a habit that you already do (e.g. brushing teeth in the morning) and choose to repeat your affirmations right afterwards
- Print them out, write them down, add them to your vision board but whatever you do make sure they are somewhere you can see them
So, what affirmations are you going to use?
I hope you found these procrastination affirmations helpful in breaking the negative cycle. You don’t have to struggle alone and blame yourself for not working towards your goals. These things happen and self-awareness is always key.
I recommend you pick a couple of affirmations to say daily and then pick relevant ones in times of crisis depending on your needs. For example, you might need a work-specific affirmation or one to help you overcome self-doubt.
Always remember to be kind to yourself and done is better than perfect.
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