Why I Wait Until The Last Minute to Start Projects (And How I Finally Stopped)

Eric Kaufmann
Sep 12
5 min read

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Hi Friend,

Do you find it impossible to get started on projects days in advance? Then, in a last-minute, anxious panic, get it all done the night before it's due?

That’s been me more times than I can count.

When I was teaching, I had 20 days to finish a presentation for the parents at my school. For 19 days, I did nothing.

Well, not nothing....

I thought about it. A lot.

I stressed about it. A lot.

I convinced myself I had time for a nap, to lesson plan next month, even to clean out the fridge. Anything but starting.

Then, with hours left, I frantically cranked out three weeks of work in one day. Music blasting, hyperfocus engaged, and the presentation turned out solid. My principal even praised me.

But I wasn't proud of my work. I 'should' all over myself for days.

I should have started earlier.

I should be doing a better job.

Why do I always wait until the last minute to start?

This wasn't something new. I was kicked out of the Marist University library at 2:00 AM while still working on an essay due the next day, numerous times.

I used to tell myself, “I get my best work done at the last minute!” But the chaos my procrastination created was never worth it.

Frustrated bosses.

Anxious thoughts.

Sleepless nights.

When I started graduate school, things began to change. I learned how to harness my adrenaline and manufacture that feeling of urgency earlier. Finally, I start big projects in advance.

Now, I teach this to my adult executive function coaching clients. Today, I want to share it with you.

Let’s dive in.

Why I Wait Until The Last Minute to Start Projects

The reason many neurodivergent adults "come alive" right before a deadline isn’t about laziness or incompetence.

It’s tied to gaps in executive function—specifically, task initiation.

If you have ADHD or are autistic, your brain may only know how to start tasks in two ways:

By relying on urgency.
By waiting until perfectionism no longer feels possible.

Neither path is sustainable.

Constant anxiety, sleepless nights, and guilt take a heavy toll. Worrying for weeks that your boss will find out you haven’t started is no way to live.

Life doesn't have to be this way because executive function skills can be improved.

First, we need to understand how urgency in the ADHD brain works.

I Used to Rely on Urgency to Get Started

Urgency boosts neurotransmitters like dopamine and adrenaline, which help filter distractions, sharpen focus, and improve motivation. This is why people with ADHD can become so productive right before a deadline.

There are two kinds:

External urgency: deadlines set by someone else, like your boss or teacher.

Internal urgency: deadlines you intentionally create for yourself.

Many neurodivergent adults rely only on external urgency. The trick is to manufacture internal urgency so you can start earlier.

Perfectionism Causes Procrastination

Perfectionism is another common roadblock. With plenty of time, you might rewrite the same section of a report three times, paralyzed by fear of what others will think.

But when a deadline looms, Parkinson’s Law takes over.

Suddenly, the work that “should” take seven hours is finished in four. Perfectionism fades because “done” becomes better than “perfect.” The fear of missing a deadline becomes greater than the emotions causing procrastination.

But you don’t need an all-nighter to find that freedom. You can create systems that reduce perfectionism and build urgency earlier.

3 Steps to Beat the Last Minute Panic

If you have ADHD or are neurodivergent, there's a good chance you wait until the last minute to get started on big projects.

Here's a framework to help you create urgency earlier and escape that cycle.

1) Break projects into milestones

Break up the project into small steps. Yes, this is common executive function advice, but that's because it works.

Next, estimate how long each step will take, and then double it. The brain is horrible at estimating. Give yourself extra time.

This creates urgency by showing you just how much work really needs to happen.

Pro tip: If planning is hard, use AI to draft a project plan. Here's a prompt you can use:

You are an expert project manager with a deep understanding of [insert task/project]. Create a detailed project plan for this project that is due in [insert number of days]. Break the plan into small, clear, and manageable steps. For each step, include: the specific action to take, the estimated time it will take, the order of priority, and milestones I should aim for along the way, with suggested deadlines.

2) Set visual deadlines.

Work backward from the final due date and schedule each milestone from step one.

Visual timelines like Google Calendar, paper planners, and wall charts make deadlines tangible. Plus, it helps keep long-term projects front of mind.

3) Expose yourself to accountability.

This is the key. Make your first milestone public.

Share it with a coworker, friend, or coach and agree upon how they will check in with you.

The added layer of accountability can spark the same urgency you usually only feel under pressure.

Summary

If you wonder why you wait until the last minute to start projects, you're not alone. And, you're not lazy. Neurodivergent adults often rely on urgency to get started. But this creates unnecessary racing thoughts of worry and sleepless nights.

Instead, you can practice improving your task initiation skills with the same framework I use with my clients:

Break the project into steps
Set visual deadlines
Make your first milestone public

These steps create urgency earlier, so you can get things done without the last-minute panic.

Keep in mind, this skill requires practice. You may not nail it on the first try. That's normal. Give it a try this week and give yourself some grace.

And, if you'd like some support, book a free coaching call with me here.

In service,

Eric

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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. Eric is also the founder of Elevate Learning Solutions, an Educational Therapy practice that supports neurodivergent students in becoming independent and confident. Book Eric to speak or lead a workshop.