Procrastination Between Creative Projects: How I Unlock Momentum

When I’m unsure of what to do next, when I feel procrastination rising in me, I do this: I ask myself clean, open questions — the kind that don’t push for an answer but let the right next step emerge on its own.

It happened again today. I was torn between two projects. One is more grown-up and structured, the other more playful and free. I had a familiar anxiety: if I start with the grown-up project, will I drain my energy and lose the spark for the fun one? It got me stuck for a bit.

So I used a clean language question method to try and unlock — this time through a conversation. Here’s how it unfolded, discussing doing a 'grown-up' project (stuff I know I have to work on) v.s. 'free project' (stuff that doesn't have a clear goal):

“What would you like to have happen?” was the first question.

I answered: “I would like to be able to work on both projects at the same time because I’m afraid that by doing the more grown-up project first I will take away the energy from doing the more fun project.”

Next question: “And when you would like to be able to work on both projects at the same time… what kind of ‘work on both’ is that?”

My answer: “I would say switch between them in one day, yes. The more grown-up project is more structured. I guess maybe I can compare to how I will feel afterwards. So if I do the grown-up project first, but make sure to have a time limit on it, then I will feel better about doing the free project.”

“What kind of time limit?”

“A 25-minute time limit. And not go by feeling or a stopping point — but a clear 25 minutes.”

Then: “And when you have that 25-minute time limit… what happens to your ability to move into the fun project afterwards?”

“I will feel much better about it and be more relaxed. As opposed to if I do the fun project first, I would be more tense if I hadn’t done the grown-up 25 minutes first.”

“And when you feel more relaxed… what kind of ‘fun project’ is that?”

“I will be more in the mood for it, and feel more healthy about it somehow.”

“And what happens to the part of you that was afraid the grown-up project would take energy away?”

“That part is going to feel more free and relaxed. And now suddenly I look forward to do the grown-up project.”

Finally: “And what would you like to have happen next?”

“Immediately start the grown-up project because I know how to do it, and how the grown-up project can support the fun and free project.”

And: “What kind of day is that?”

“I think it’s going to be a beautiful day.”

This is how you can shift your state when you feel stuck or unsure. The key isn’t to “push” yourself. It’s to ask open questions, one at a time, and let your deeper motivation clarify itself. For me, what looked like a dilemma turned into a simple rhythm: start the grown-up project for 25 minutes first, then flow into the fun one. And suddenly, I look forward to both.

The disclaimer for unlocking momentum is simple: it’s always a custom job. Every person, every day, every situation — what works once may not work again. The key ingredient is novelty — the method needs to feel fresh each time. There’s no universal trick, no one ring to rule them all.