7 Brutal Excuses Procrastinators Use (And How to Kill Them)

The Lies We Tell Ourselves

Procrastinators are the best liars — not to others, but to themselves.
Every time you delay, you cover it with an excuse that makes it sound reasonable. But excuses don’t protect you. They chain you to the same cycle.

Here are the 7 brutal excuses procrastinators use — and the truth that kills each one.

1. “I’ll start tomorrow.”

Tomorrow is a liar. Tomorrow never comes. Every time you say this, you’re training your brain that delay is acceptable. The only cure? Start today, even if it’s messy.

2. “I work better under pressure.”

No you don’t — you’re just addicted to stress. Last-minute rushes aren’t peak performance, they’re survival mode. Excellence is built in preparation, not panic.

3. “I’m not ready yet.”

News flash: you’ll never feel fully ready. Readiness comes from action. The more you wait to feel prepared, the less prepared you’ll ever be.

4. “It’s not the right time.”

There is no “perfect” time. The right time is the one you actually use. Waiting for stars to align is just another way of saying no to yourself.

5. “I don’t feel motivated.”

Motivation is inconsistent. Discipline is permanent. Stop waiting to “feel” like it. Move first — motivation follows action, not the other way around.

6. “I need more information.”

Researching is not the same as doing. Endless planning is just procrastination dressed up as productivity. You don’t need another article — you need to start.

7. “I’ll do it when things calm down.”

Life never calms down. There will always be chaos, distractions, and problems. If you can’t work in the storm, you’ll never work at all.

The Brutal Truth

Excuses feel safe, but they’re killing your progress. They make procrastination sound logical — but all they really do is keep you stuck in the same loop.

Every time you catch yourself using one of these, call it out. Replace it with action.

My book Don’t Leave It Till Later doesn’t just list excuses — it gives you the tools and mindset to crush them for good. If you’re tired of lying to yourself and ready to finally take control, this is the system you need.

Grab your copy today and stop letting excuses run your life.