My Favorite AI Tool to Beat Procrastination
- Eric Kaufmann
- 6 days ago
- 5 min read
TL;DR: If you struggle to start tasks, stick with goals, or feel frozen by overwhelm, this article is for you.
You’ll learn what truly drives procrastination, how to use the domino effect with a simple AI tool to find the smallest possible first step. One tiny action can unlock momentum and help you finally get started.
Table of Contents
Hi Friend,
I learned something recently that completely shifted how I start tasks I dread. Big ones. Small ones. Even things as boring as unpacking after a trip (which I really need to do).
It’s called the domino effect.
I used to think the domino effect meant that the flick of one domino could knock over hundreds of other dominoes. Satisfying to watch. Nice metaphor for life. End of story.
But after reading The ONE Thing, I learned something wild. In 1983, researcher Lorne Whitehead discovered that one domino can knock over another that’s 1.5 times its size.
Line them up, each slightly bigger than the last, and by the 18th domino, you could knock over something the height of the Leaning Tower of Pisa. That’s 183 feet!
Whether it’s procrastination, setting big goals and falling off, or wanting to get organized but thinking, ‘I don’t even know where to start,’ this is the missing piece.
Today, I want to show you how to use the domino effect to improve your executive function skills and finally get started.
Let’s dive in.
Why do I Procrastinate?
Procrastination isn’t laziness. It’s not a lack of discipline or willpower. Procrastination and avoidance are driven by emotion.
Most often, the emotions getting in the way are fear, anxiety, boredom, or confusion.
When we procrastinate, we are often trying to avoid the emotions that arise when we think about doing a task. Avoiding the task gives us short-term relief from those feelings.
That’s why procrastination "feels good" in the moment but costs us later.
Avoid daily movement, and your body pays for it.
Put off reviewing finances, and debt sneaks in.
Delay starting that business you dream of, and shame takes over.
People who procrastinate less have the skills of task initiation, emotional regulation, and goal-directed persistence dialed in.
On the other hand, many neurodivergent adults, like those of us with ADHD or autism, procrastinate constantly because of natural weaknesses in executive function.
So no, you’re not “just a procrastinator.” You haven’t learned how to start in a way that works with your brain.
Why Small Steps Work When Big Goals Don’t
When a task feels overwhelming, our brains freeze. The goal feels too big. The timeline feels endless. The emotional load feels heavy.
Starting your business is a massive undertaking with fear and self-doubt lurking behind every step.
Unpacking after a trip or folding laundry are not enjoyable tasks. Even though we know our future self will be grateful, we never make time to do such a boring task.
This isn't a character flaw. It's an executive function challenge.
That’s where the first domino comes in.
The first domino is not the goal. It’s the smallest possible action that moves you forward.
Putting away one item from your suitcase.
Writing a list of expenses instead of building a full budget.
Brainstorming for 10 minutes instead of launching the business.
Replying to emails for three minutes and stopping when the timer goes off.
I know these steps feel laughably small. That’s the point. This is how we start our most daunting tasks and projects.
This comes with a mindset shift too:
There is no action too small. No step too tiny. Anything that moves you forward is progress.
How to Find Your First Domino and Beat Procrastination (Three Steps)
It's rarely easy to break down a task or goal into steps. Often, they feel complicated or overwhelming. When those emotions kick in, we procrastinate.
Here's how you can beat procrastination with my favorite AI tool:
Open Magic ToDo.
Add your goal, project, or task.
Click the magic wand.
See that first step? That's your first domino.
The goal is to find a step so simple you’d feel silly not doing it. So, if gathering the cleaning supplies feels too heavy, click the blue magic wand again, and Magic ToDo will make that domino even smaller.
Here’s a key part: give yourself permission to stop after that step.
Often, momentum takes over, which is great. But if it doesn’t, you still made progress.
If you'd like more support regulating the emotions that cause procrastination, I’ve created a no-cost course you can finish in under 30 minutes, along with a worksheet that walks you through an evidence-based framework for getting started. You can access the course here.
Summary
Procrastination and avoidance are rooted in emotional dysregulation, not laziness or a lack of willpower. It’s deeply tied to executive function skills like task initiation, especially for adults with ADHD or who are autistic.
Instead of trying to force ourselves to do "the thing" or shaming ourselves for not being able to start on our big goal, we can find our first domino.
The first domino is a small, simple step that we are willing to take. Once we knock over the first domino, momentum begins to build.
But breaking down the steps to reaching a big goal or completing a large project is a challenging skill in itself. That's where my favorite AI tool comes in handy.
Here's how you can use Magic ToDo to break down any goal, project, or task:
Open Magic ToDo.
Add your goal, project, or task.
Click the magic wand.
BOOM! You've discovered your first domino.
If starting feels hard, you don’t have to figure it out alone.
This is exactly what I help adults do as an executive function coach: find the smallest possible starting point, regulate the emotions around it, and build momentum from there.
If you’d like support finding your first domino, you can book a no-cost strategy session with me here.
One small action is enough. It's enough to begin. Enough to celebrate. And, enough to build momentum.
In service,
Eric
FAQs
Why do I procrastinate even when I care about a goal?
Procrastination is driven by emotion, not laziness or a lack of willpower. Fear, anxiety, boredom, and confusion create discomfort, and avoiding the task provides short-term relief. For many adults, especially those with ADHD or autism, weaker executive function skills like task initiation and emotional regulation make this pattern more intense.
How does the domino effect help beat procrastination?
The domino effect works by focusing on the smallest possible action instead of the entire goal. That first “domino” lowers emotional resistance, reduces overwhelm, and makes it easier to begin. Once the first step is complete, momentum often takes over, making it easier to continue without forcing motivation.
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About the Author
Eric Kaufmann is an Educational Therapist, Certified Executive Function Coach, and speaker. He is the Co-founder of UpSkill Specialists, an executive function coaching company that helps adults and workplace teams overcome disorganization, procrastination, and productivity roadblocks.
Want to learn more about 1:1 coaching? Click here.
Interested in hosting a workshop for your team or company on how to improve executive function skills in the workplace? Click here.
Looking for guidance on how to become an adult executive function coach? Click here.
P.S. Free Mini Course: Break the Procrastination Cycle
Procrastination can seriously impact your mental health, physical well-being, and financial freedom.
My free mini-course, Break the Procrastination Cycle, teaches the 4 emotions behind procrastination, how to spot them, and a proven toolkit to manage them—all in just 30 minutes
If you or someone you care about struggles with procrastination, this course is here to help.
