Overcoming Procrastination as a Blogger: A 5-Step Plan
- Elisha Bearam
- Sep 27
- 8 min read
Updated: Sep 27
Disclosure: I may earn a small commission for purchases made through affiliate links in this post at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products I truly believe in. Thank you for supporting my site!
You have that brilliant blog post idea. It’s been swirling in your head for days, maybe even weeks. You can picture the engaging title and the helpful comments from your readers.
You know that publishing this content is a crucial step toward building the online income you dream of.
But instead of writing, you’re organizing your desk for the third time, scrolling through social media, or suddenly deciding the kitchen floor desperately needs mopping. Sound familiar?
If you feel stuck in this cycle of knowing what you should do but finding a million other things to do instead, you’re in the right place. This isn’t about working harder; it’s about working smarter.
Let’s break the cycle of blogger procrastination together.
What is Blogger Procrastination? (It’s Not Just Laziness)
First things first, let’s clear something up: procrastination is not laziness.
Laziness is a general unwillingness to act.
Procrastination, on the other hand, is the act of delaying a task despite knowing you’ll be worse off for it. It’s an emotional regulation problem, not a character flaw.
When you procrastinate on your blog, you’re often trying to manage a negative feeling—like anxiety, boredom, or self-doubt—by avoiding the task that’s causing it.
For bloggers, this avoidance shows up in clever disguises:
The “Research Rabbit Hole”: Spending hours “researching” a topic without ever starting a draft.
Perfectionist Tweaking: Endlessly adjusting your website’s font, colors, or sidebar instead of creating new content.
Social Media “Busywork”: Telling yourself that engaging on Instagram for two hours is “marketing,” when it’s really just a way to avoid the harder work of writing.
Recognizing these behaviors is the first step toward overcoming procrastination.
The Real Reasons You Procrastinate on Your Blog (And How to Fix Them)
To fix the problem, we need to look under the hood. What’s really causing you to hit the pause button?
1. Fear of Failure (or Success)
This is a big one. The pressure to be perfect can be paralyzing. What if no one reads your post? What if you get negative comments?
Or, conversely, what if your post is a huge success? That brings its own pressure to consistently perform at a high level. This fear makes starting feel incredibly risky.
The Fix: Embrace the learning process. Your first ten, twenty, or fifty posts don’t have to be masterpieces. They are practice.
Remind yourself that a “good enough” post published is infinitely more valuable than a “perfect” post that lives forever in your drafts.
If the blank page terrifies you, check out our supportive guide on how to write your first blog post.
2. Overwhelm and Decision Fatigue
“Write a blog post” isn’t one task; it’s a dozen. It involves outlining, researching, writing a first draft, editing, finding images, SEO optimization, formatting, and publishing.
When you look at the mountain, it’s no wonder you feel like turning back. This overwhelm is a major trigger for feeling unmotivated to blog.
The Fix: Break the mountain into small, manageable pebbles. Don’t think “write a post.” Think, “brainstorm five headlines” or “write the introduction paragraph.”
Using a structured system can also eliminate countless decisions. Our content planning templates can save you from decision fatigue and provide a clear roadmap.
3. Lack of Clarity and Goals
If you’re not crystal clear on what you’re working toward and why, it’s easy to drift. Vague goals like “grow my blog” or “make money online” aren’t actionable. Without a clear next step, procrastination creeps in.
The Fix: Set specific, measurable goals. Instead of “grow my blog,” try “publish two 1,500-word posts per week for the next month” or “increase my email list by 50 subscribers this quarter.”
Knowing exactly what to do today eliminates ambiguity and the excuse to put it off.
4. The Task is Unpleasant or Boring
Let’s be honest: not every aspect of blogging is fun. You might love writing but dread the technical side of SEO or formatting. It’s natural to avoid tasks we find boring.
The Fix: Acknowledge the feeling without letting it rule you. Then, use strategies to make it more palatable (we’ll cover “Temptation Bundling” soon).
You can also try to automate or outsource these tasks down the line.
5. Waiting for the "Right" Moment or Mood
How often have you thought, “I’ll write after I feel inspired”? This is one of the biggest myths about creative work.
Motivation doesn’t usually strike out of the blue; it follows action.
The Fix: Stop waiting. Professional writers don’t write only when inspired; they write because it’s their job. Treat your blog with the same professionalism.
Show up and start, and the motivation will often catch up with you.
How to Overcome Blog Procrastination: A 5-Step Action Plan
Knowing why you procrastinate is powerful, but you need a battle plan. Here are five practical steps to take back control.
Step 1: Break It Down with Micro-Tasks
As we mentioned, overwhelm is a dream killer. The antidote is to make your tasks so small they become almost impossible to refuse.
Instead of: “Write a blog post about overcoming procrastination.”
Try: 1. Brainstorm 5 title ideas. 2. Create a basic outline (H2s only). 3. Write the introduction. 4. Write the first sub-topic. 5. Find one relevant stock photo.
Ticking off these micro-tasks builds momentum and makes a huge project feel achievable.
This principle is the foundation of a powerful strategy called batch content creation, where you group similar tasks together for maximum efficiency.
Step 2: Schedule Your Blogging Time (Time Blocking)
If it’s not in your calendar, it’s not real. Instead of saying “I’ll blog sometime today,” block out a specific, non-negotiable time in your schedule.
Call it a “Blogging Appointment” and treat it with the same importance as a doctor’s visit.
This method is a cornerstone of good blogger productivity. It removes the mental energy spent on deciding when to work and ensures your blog gets dedicated focus.
Step 3: Use the 5-Minute Rule
When resistance feels strongest, trick your brain. Commit to working on a task for just five minutes. Anyone can handle five minutes. Set a timer and go.
The magic is that once you start, you’ll often find it easy to continue past the five-minute mark. The hardest part is almost always just beginning.
Step 4: Create a Dedicated, Distraction-Free Zone
Your environment matters. If you try to write with email notifications pinging and laundry staring at you, you’re fighting a losing battle.
Physically: Clean your desk, have a glass of water ready, and put your phone in another room.
Digitally: Use website blockers like Freedom or Cold Turkey to block social media and other distracting sites during your scheduled writing time.
Step 5: Pair a "Want" with a "Should" (Temptation Bundling)
This is a fun one. Link a task you dread with a activity you love.
Only listen to your favorite podcast or audiobook while you’re doing SEO keyword research.
Enjoy a special latte only when you’re writing your first drafts.
Watch your favorite show only while you’re formatting images or scheduling social media posts.
This association makes the unpleasant task something you might even start to look forward to.
Essential Mindset Shifts to Stop Procrastinating for Good
Techniques are vital, but lasting change requires a shift in how you think about your work.
Embrace "Done is Better than Perfect": Perfectionism is the enemy of progress. A blog post published at 85% is helping someone and growing your business. A “perfect” post stuck in drafts helps no one. Aim for excellence, but ship your work.
View Your Blog as a Business, Not a Hobby: This simple mental switch changes everything. You show up differently for a business. You have deadlines, systems, and goals. This mindset reduces the room for “I don’t feel like it” excuses.
Practice Self-Compassion: Beating yourself up after a day of procrastination only makes it worse. Acknowledge the slip-up without drama—“Okay, I didn’t get to it today. That’s alright. I’ll try again tomorrow.” Self-criticism fuels the cycle of avoidance; self-compassion breaks it.
Top Productivity Tools and Apps for Bloggers
Leverage technology to make your life easier. Here are a few categories of tools that can help.
Task & Project Management (Trello, Asana, Notion): These are perfect for implementing Step 1 (breaking things down). You can create boards or lists for each blog post, with columns for “To Do,” “Doing,” and “Done.”
Focus Aids (Freedom, Cold Turkey): As mentioned, these apps block distracting websites and apps across all your devices, forcing you to focus during your time-blocked sessions.
Time Management (Pomodone App, Kitchen Timer): The Pomodoro Technique (25 minutes of focused work, 5-minute break) is fantastic for blogging. Use an app or a simple timer to chunk your work.
Simple Note-Taking (Google Keep, Evernote): Have a place to capture ideas instantly. When a blog post idea strikes, jot it down immediately so you never face “I don’t know what to write about” paralysis.
To take your efficiency to the next level, explore our guide to the latest AI productivity tools that can help with everything from generating ideas to drafting outlines.
Building Procrastination-Proof Blogging Habits
The ultimate goal is to make consistent action automatic.
Start with a Consistent "Anchor" Time: Write at the same time each day or on the same days each week (e.g., Monday and Wednesday mornings from 9-11 AM). Consistency builds a powerful rhythm.
Track Your Streaks: Use a simple habit tracker in your planner or an app. There’s a unique motivation in seeing a chain of successful days and not wanting to “break the chain.”
Create a Pre-Writing Ritual: A simple 2-minute routine signals to your brain that it’s time to shift gears. This could be making a cup of tea, lighting a candle, taking three deep breaths, or playing a specific “focus” playlist.
What to Do When You're Procrastinating Right Now (Emergency Tips)
Feeling the pull to procrastinate at this very moment? Try one of these quick fixes:
Change Your Scene: Immediately get up and move to a different room, or even just a different chair.
Do the Easiest Task: Look at your to-do list and do the absolute smallest, simplest item. The feeling of accomplishment can kickstart your motivation.
The 15-Minute Sprint: Set a timer for 15 minutes and race against the clock. See how much you can get done. The short time frame feels less daunting.
Call an Accountability Partner: Text or call a fellow blogger or friend and tell them what you’re going to accomplish in the next hour. Knowing you’ll have to report back is a powerful motivator.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Is it normal to procrastinate even when I'm passionate about my blog?
A: Absolutely. Passion doesn’t make you immune to fear, overwhelm, or the lure of easier tasks. It’s a common experience, even for the most successful bloggers.
Q: How do I get back on track after a long period of procrastination?
A: Gently. Don’t try to make up for lost time. Start with one tiny task—like updating one old blog post or writing 100 words. One small win builds momentum for the next. Be kind to yourself.
Q: What's the one biggest tip for a blogger who is a chronic procrastinator?
A: Start small. Ridiculously small. Commit to five minutes. The goal is not to write a masterpiece in five minutes; the goal is to overcome the initial resistance. Action precedes motivation.
Conclusion: Your Blog is Waiting for You—Not the "Perfect" You
Your dream of a profitable, impactful blog is valid and achievable. Overcoming procrastination is the bridge between that dream and your reality. It’s built not with giant leaps, but with small, consistent steps.
Your blog isn’t waiting for a more perfect, motivated, or fearless version of you to show up. It’s waiting for the you that’s reading this right now.
So, take one action today. Open a document and write one sentence. Block 30 minutes in your calendar for tomorrow. Do one thing that moves the needle.
You have the ideas, and now you have the plan. You can do this.
Ready to turn that overwhelm into action? Implement these simple productivity hacks to create a workflow that actually works for you.
Comments