Why smart, capable people still get stuck – and what finally gets you moving

Learn about the science behind getting things done

Robin J. Emdon, Author & GetResultsology Accountability Coach, Procrastination Slayer & Momentum Architect

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The Wake-Up Call

I was mid-celebration over coffee with my brother in 2019 when the face-palm moment hit. I was bragging about finally finishing my degree — when I realised it had taken me ten years to complete a six-year course. Not because I wasn’t smart (clearly!). Not because I didn’t care. But because I had become a master of procrastination.

I had always treated my procrastination like a head cold. Annoying, sure — but harmless. I figured it would pass. (Tomorrow, of course.)

I told myself the usual lies: I’m just busy. I’ll get to it soon. I need to be in the right headspace.

It took me a while to admit it. Maybe you can relate.

Eventually, I had to face a very hard truth: I was a trained coach. I wasn’t lazy but I was stuck.

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The Hidden Cost

If you’re leading a business or running a team, you already know pressure. But here’s what no one tells you: the more competent you are — sometimes even the more successful — the more invisible your procrastination becomes. People see the wins, not the half-finished projects quietly gathering dust in your digital drawer.

Back in 2001, I trained directly under Tony Robbins and his team in an intensive, invitation-only coaching programme. It was designed to develop new talent for his organisation, and Tony himself delivered key parts of the training. That experience laid the foundation for my coaching journey.

I later launched my own independent practice in the UK, but stepped away from it a few years later to become a full-time single father. So while I’ve spent years immersed in coaching and personal growth, I also know what it means to pause your dreams for something that matters more. Procrastination doesn’t care how capable you are — in fact, the smarter you are, the sneakier it gets.

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The real cost of waiting

For solopreneurs, freelancers, and anyone working without a boss, procrastination doesn't just slow you down. It quietly chips away at your confidence. It turns simple tasks into mountains. Keeps you busy with the wrong things. And worst of all? It pulls you further from the future you say you want.

If that sounds like you — if you’re running a solo business, juggling client work and trying to grow your own thing in the margins — you’re exactly who I created my system for.

One missed deadline can trigger a cascade of delays. A single decision, left too long, can snowball into months of inertia. You know what needs to be done. But knowing isn’t the problem. Finishing is.

Most systems treat procrastination like a time-management issue. But if that actually worked, we’d all be fine by now. I’ve got a cupboard full of wonderful (and sometimes weird) planners to prove it.

The truth is, procrastination isn’t a scheduling glitch. It’s emotional. It’s a stress response.

You delay launching that new offer because failure feels too risky. You avoid the strategic planning session because you’re mentally fried. You push the team restructure because conflict scares the hell out of you.

Sound familiar?

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What actually works

Once I understood this, I stopped trying to fight procrastination with shiny productivity hacks that just gathered digital (and real) dust. Instead, I started building something that actually worked.

I call it GetResultsology® - The Science of Getting Stuff Done! It blends psychology, neurology, coaching, and accountability to help capable people do hard things consistently. You don’t need a science degree to get it. Mine was in the arts and humanities, so trust me, clarity matters.

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The three truths of beating procrastination

Whether you’re running your business solo and trying to do everything at once, or leading a team with too much on your plate, these three principles will help:

1. Clarity and structure beat motivation. Waiting to feel ready is a trap. It’s not more motivation you need — it’s a clear plan and a simple structure. When your next step is specific, pre-decided, and already built into your day, resistance fades.

2. Accountability removes friction. Willpower is unreliable. But when someone is checking in on your progress, you show up differently. Even the most independent leaders benefit from smart, laser-focused accountability.

3. Progress fuels confidence. Every tiny win rewires your brain. The more you finish, the more capable you feel. And that momentum compounds.

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My turning point (and why it matters for you)

During lockdown, I dusted off two decades of coaching experience and took a deep dive into the world of procrastination. Not just surface-level tips, but real insights from research, books, and courses.

Procrastination is one of the most studied areas in psychology. The information is out there. Hundreds of studies. Countless resources.

Back when I was coaching more broadly, I saw it over and over: around 80% of a client’s progress came from just 20% of the work — the accountability. That stuck with me. It’s what led me to rebuild my entire approach around that one principle. Not because it’s clever, but because it’s clear. And clarity is what cuts through chaos — that’s what gets results.

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So, what can you do today?

Here’s one deceptively powerful habit: start your day by defining the one task that would make the day feel meaningful. Not ten. Just one.

Then set a timer for 20-minutes and start it — even if you’re not in the mood. Especially then. Action precedes clarity, not the other way around.

If you want a deeper reboot:

Grab the complete GetResultsology® book for free.

It’s the full, unabridged guide to getting real work done.

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Final thought

If procrastination has been quietly draining your momentum, you’re not alone. You’re definitely not broken. And you don’t need a productivity makeover — you need a system built for real life.

Because the truth is, the work you’re avoiding isn’t just a task. It’s a gateway. To growth. To freedom. To finally becoming the version of yourself that gets things done.

And I’d love to help you get there.

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Robin J. Emdon

Robin J. Emdon — aka The Procrastination Slayer —  is the creator of GetResultsology® – The Science of Getting Stuff Done! and host of the GoalBusters podcast (100+ episodes). His journey from chronic procrastinator to accountability coach began with a face-palm moment in 2019: despite being a trained life coach, it had taken him ten years to finish a six year home-study degree — stalled by years of procrastination. That embarrassing realisation sparked a three-year deep dive into academic studies and science-backed books on the topic.  Based in South Devon, England, Robin now helps solopreneurs, creatives, and independent professionals achieve up to 33% more of their goals through brain-based strategies, accountability, and his momentum formula: Do it today. Profit tomorrow. Repeat!

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Why do smart people procrastinate?

Because procrastination isn’t about laziness — it’s about emotion. Even high-achievers avoid tasks that trigger stress, fear of failure, or perfectionism. Your brain’s not broken — it’s just wired for comfort.

How can I stop procrastinating when I know what to do?

Knowing isn’t the problem — finishing is. Clarity, structure, and accountability beat motivation every time. Break your goal into one clear next step and get someone to check in on your progress.

What’s the most effective way to beat procrastination long-term?

Build momentum. Start small, track your wins, and focus on consistent action instead of waiting to feel “ready.” Progress rewires your brain — the more you finish, the easier finishing gets.