It’s April Fool’s Day—the one time a year when it’s socially acceptable to saran wrap a toilet or switch someone’s keyboard keys around. But let’s be honest, for us procrastinators, the real pranks aren’t coming from our friends. They’re coming from our own brains. Procrastination traps are awful tricks we play on ourselves.
That’s right. Our inner saboteurs are expert pranksters, constantly convincing us to delay, defer, and put off the very things we actually want to accomplish. And like all good April Fool’s jokes, these procrastination traps seem harmless at first… until you realize it’s April 1st and your “March goals” are still sitting there, untouched, collecting dust and judgment.
Let’s expose some of the most common procrastination traps and excuses—those sneaky lies we tell ourselves—and call BS on them once and for all.
“I’ll Do It When I’m More Motivated”
APRIL FOOLS! Motivation isn’t coming.
This is the classic bait-and-switch. You wait around for inspiration to strike, and guess what? It never does. Motivation doesn’t just drop out of the sky like a leprechaun on St. Patrick’s Day (see what I did there?).
The Fix:
- Start before you’re ready. Action creates momentum, which creates motivation—not the other way around.
- Try the 2-Minute Rule: Just do five minutes. If you want to stop after that, fine. (You probably won’t.)
“I Don’t Have Enough Time Right Now”
APRIL FOOLS! You had time. You just didn’t use it on what mattered.
This excuse makes us feel like helpless victims of time theft. But often, “not enough time” means “I spent 42 minutes analyzing which font to use in my planner before doing anything.”
The Fix:
- Use time blocking. Give each task a place on your calendar—even if it’s just 10 minutes.
- Use a visual timer like a Pomodoro app to keep yourself accountable.
“I Work Better Under Pressure”
APRIL FOOLS! No, you don’t. You just work faster—and more stressed.
Sure, you can get stuff done in a panic-fueled frenzy. But are you doing your best work? Or just praying your WiFi doesn’t cut out five minutes before the deadline?
The Fix:
- Build in “fake deadlines.” Trick yourself into starting early and leave buffer time for edits.
- Reward yourself for finishing ahead of schedule—yes, snacks count.
“It’s Not the Right Time”
APRIL FOOLS! There’s no such thing.
Waiting for the “perfect” time to start is like waiting for someone to invent a productivity device that works via osmosis. (Still waiting, by the way.)
The Fix:
- Break your task into smaller steps and just start the first one—imperfectly.
- Remind yourself: Progress beats perfection every time.
“I Need to Be in the Right Mood”
APRIL FOOLS! The mood you’re waiting for is called “after you’ve already started.”
You don’t need to be in the mood to do dishes, fold laundry, or write your business proposal. You just need to start. Mood follows motion.
The Fix:
- Use habit stacking. Tie the task to something you already do (e.g., write for 10 minutes after making your coffee).
- Create a ritual. Light a candle, play your “focus” playlist, and get into it—even if you’re not feeling it.
“I’ll Have More Energy Later”
APRIL FOOLS! Later You is just as tired—and probably has even less patience.
We love to dump responsibility on Future Us. But unless Future You has superpowers (and if so, I’ve got some questions), that energy boost isn’t magically arriving.
The Fix:
- Try a microtask approach. Do just one tiny step now, instead of the whole thing later.
- Don’t wait for energy—schedule the task for a time you know you’re usually sharper.
Celebrate Wins Against Procrastination Traps—Even If They’re Small (And Silly)
Just like April Fool’s pranks don’t have to be huge to be hilarious, your wins don’t have to be monumental to matter. Did you reply to an email you’ve been avoiding? Victory. Did you work on your resume for 15 minutes? You’re crushing it. Getting around those procrastination traps may not be easy, but you can do it.
And if your brain tries to say that wasn’t enough?
APRIL FOOLS, BRAIN. That was progress.
Want to really prank your procrastination? Show up. Take action. Follow through.
If you’re looking for more ways to outsmart your inner excuse-maker, check out my book You Aren’t a Lazy Piece of Sh!t (or on Amazon.com). It’s packed with practical tools, relatable stories, and plenty of humor to help you outwit procrastination—no whoopee cushions required.