Procrastinators Get Stuff Done: How to Go from Overwhelmed to Finished

by Dana K. White

Known for her groundbreaking work in decluttering, Dana K. White now extends her expertise to tackle procrastination head-on in Procrastinators Get Stuff Done, offering innovative strategies and insights for anyone seeking to conquer the pervasive habit of procrastination and unlock their full potential.

Have you ever stared at the clutter on your desk or the unfinished tasks in your life and felt overwhelmed by the weight of procrastination? Dana understands this all too well and has dedicated her life to helping others break through this roadblock.

In Procrastinators Get Stuff Done, Dana delves deep into the root causes of procrastination, moving beyond decluttering to provide concrete strategies for overcoming this common life challenge one baby step at a time.

Using her unique Anti-Procrastination Process Dana will show you how

ditch any shame for your procrastinator waysunderstand how to make real progress while conserving emotional energyidentify the very smallest thing to finish right nowface your overwhelming situation head onidentify the easy stuffexperience the power of decision-free progressexperiment without pressuremake a plan and keep trudging through it 

Prepare to experience breakthroughs where procrastination has paralyzed you. Whether it's advancing in your career, maintaining your health, tackling important life decisions, engaging in meaningful conversations, or pursuing your deepest aspirations, Dana's process will help you take actual steps forward until you're actually finished.

This book is more than just a guide; it's a lifeline if you feel stuck and desperate for a doable way forward. Dana gets you because she is you. Don’t let procrastination hold you back any longer—discover the process that will give you a path forward that fits your personality, sets you free, and propels you to the finish line.

Genres: Self Help, Adhd, Nonfiction, Productivity, Humor

240 pages, Hardcover

Published October 6, 2026

Reviews

[Chaya Mushka]

♥️♥️♥️ I am lucky enough to have gotten an early copy and am thoroughly enjoying the read!! Dana K White’s previous books decluttering books - Decluttering at the Speed of Life and How to Manage Your Home Without Losing Your Mind were easy and enjoyable to read and most importantly, actionable, operational!! My home became BETTER, not perfect - better and progress is the goal. “Perfect” is soul sucking, paralyzing more times than not and unattainable.
With her latest book, Dana is teaching us how to declutter procrastination from our lives!!!!! Regardless of the type of action or decision you have been procrastinating about- losing weight, doing your taxes, remodeling your home, choosing a place to retire, picking a career- Dana gives us a 5 step, NO FAIL process to moving forward, from the first step to finished!!
I will be staying up all night so I can finish the book!!

[Ann]

Dana did her magic again. Somehow she takes real life scenarios of our most challenging life obstacles and busts through them all! Her stories make her so real and relatable. And she’s so funny! I know when Dana writes, I am going to have life changes, and Procrastinators Get Stuff Done is no exception. Others say, just do it. But Dana helps me actually know HOW. Even to the point of getting stuck, frozen from overwhelm, she walks through what the next little step is to keep moving forward. When I finished the advance copy, I immediately went to do the thing I have been stuck on for months! I made progress immediately.

This book is NOT for people who have it all figured out. It is for people like me who believe I SHOULD know how, and still don’t. If shame and frustration is a regular voice in your head… be prepared to finally get the help you’ve always been looking for. God bless Dana for being willing to put herself out there for us to not feel alone in our struggles.

[Alicia Bayer]

I have been a huge fan of Dana’s first declutterring book (How to Manage Your Home Without Losing Your Mind) for years and it is always at the top of my most recommended lists (later books seemed to rehash the first). I was so excited to see this book by her because I am definitely a procrastinator and I thought if that first one was so helpful that this one would be such a blessing. I was sadly really disappointed. I kept waiting for her to stop telling random stories about herself and rambling and to get to the great advice.

At around halfway through the book, she finally got to her plan. It could be summed up in less than a short blog post. It could be summed up in a a social media graphic. Her steps are:
1. Look at the problem or task.
2. Do the easy things.
3. Experiment noncommittally
4. Make a plan.
5. Finish.

I have to admit that I like the idea of noncommittal experimentation (like start a secret blog page and see what works), but I do not feel any bit less like a procrastinator after reading this book. She gives some examples of how to use her steps for three made up goals — starting a cupcake business, refinancing your mortgage, and making more friends — and she also talks a lot about how she uses the steps for her business, but it didn’t seem particularly noteworthy examples or beyond what anyone would probably do (like look for a mortgage refinancer and sign up for a social activity).

She also gives advice like to get rid of the tiresome decision making effort by just deciding you will do whatever you’re procrastinating every day, like decide to do the dishes every night or swim every day. She says that since you are the one who decided you will do them every day, you just will. Apparently we are completely different species, because I would not consider myself a procrastinator if I could just tell myself I was going to do something every day and I magically could from then on.

This was a miss for me.

I read a digital ARC of this book via netgalley.

[Erin Gessner]

Dana K White has done it again! She has helped me take the most overwhelming task and break it down into simple easy steps so I can check it off my to do list. Procrastination is exhausting, planning is futile, but not having the steps is overwhelming. This book is for anyone! Dana brings her easy to achieve steps in a fun manageable way.

If I could give this book 1,000 stars I would. I have never read a book like it.

[Anne]

I am currently reading Dana K White's soon to be released book "Procrastinators Get Stuff Done" and it delivers a powerful message for procrastinators who have struggled with getting stuff done and felt like nobody understands them. Do yourself a favour and pre-order this book it launches early October 2026 so not long to wait till you can get some stuff done!

[Robin]

Excited to get a sneak peek at Dana's newest book that's tangentially related to her earlier ones but this one is specifically to help break through procrastination. Very compassionate and sensible look at misconceptions procrastinators and the rest of the world have about the reasons and solutions for it. Very easy to read for a person who hasn't read anything off a page or a screen in years.
I love the five steps and I love that you can often have beaten Procrastination with the first three decision -free steps!

[Sarah]

Half of the book felt more like a memoir, but I can't deny the metric shitton I got done since starting this book.

[Kristi Cleveland]

I can't EVEN...right now. I'll get to that tomorrow...fast forward days, months even years later. Is that thing still weighing on your mind? This book is for you. This reader has never read a book that has had such a profound impact on every aspect of life. I felt seen, heard, and most of all no longer ashamed of being me. I have been stuck (mostly from a long sequence of tragic events) which has made the tendency to procrastinate even worse. Dana's approach is not preachy, it's not fancy, it is vulnerable and honest. The book feels like an old non-judgemental friend who get's it.

[Vera Sokolow]

Looking forward to reading the entire book. Dana has the gift of clearly and honestly stating the challenges without making her reader feel inadequate. Coming from the same place as her audience, she understands the two essentials: 1) that we must feel capable of dealing with the issues; 2) that the techniques for dealing with those issues are useful and effective.
I'd recommend everything she's written.

[Lesh]

due to my parasocial relationship with dana (she is my podcast mom) i actually preordered/paid full price for the ebook which has happened maybe 4 times ever (sorry authors)

decluttering at the speed of life (+ listening to approx 500 hours of content) changed my life. it completely reframed how i view my belongings/my space/daily chores etc and im actually rly passionate about it. with all the time i spend thinking about this stuff i had already integrated some of the decluttering steps into things that aren't decluttering (concepts of looking for trash, easy stuff, taking it there now), but this book maps it out completely

the book could be easily summarised to the five steps (done in one of the top reviews), similarly to how the five decluttering steps are... literally just five steps. if reading the list of steps is enough for someone to implement them then that's great and these books are useless to them. this and decluttering at the speed of life go through the steps in great detail, however i think it was done better in the former book. when i compare it to other self help-y books i have read (i read a lot but im vaguely embarrassed by that so i don't mark most of them) i think it's one of the most actionable. it's up there for me with "your life can be better" which has been a great help for an ✨undiagnosed but pretty sure✨ person such as myself. i think the effect has been lessoned slightly by the fact that i have already been consuming so much dana content and had already naturally integrated some of the steps, but im also not sure if i would have been as amenable to it/her style of writing if i hadn't already felt the positive impact of decluttering at the speed of life. overall i would recommend but ☝️ i would read her earlier books first (decluttering at the speed of life/ how to manage your home without losing your mind) if those things cause stress

[Kenna Smith]

Incredible! I not only feel seen by the examples and personal stories Dana shares, but I also feel encouraged by the strategies and steps that help break down overwhelm in any situation. Changing the goal to "making progress" and "moving forward" removes the daunting weight of the overall project or scenario. Teeny tiny steps finished completely count as success and that motivates me to continue. 🧡💚

[Jen]

Not "just another book" on procrastination! Instead of being written by someone who has never procrastinated about anything lecturing me about just "not procrastinting" *eyeroll* THIS book is written from the perspective of a fellow procrastinator who GETS the overwhelm, the (over!)thinking, and the paralysis that gets in the way. The age old advice of "starting" is in here, but she covers what others don't - HOW do you start?! She introduces simple, repeatable steps that you can until whatever you're struggling to complete is done.

What I love even more though are the MINDSET shifts. Understanding the power of "predetermined decisions". Learning to accept reality - the limits of the time and energy you have - and understand you don't have to compare yourself to someone else (whew, that one will take me a while!) It's full of honest experiences from her own life that help illustrate her points. I expected to learn steps to push through procrastination (and yes that's in here!!) but the mindset shifts I found were even more profound - like I said at the beginning - not "just another book" on procrastination!!

[Lorilyn Gaudette]

I really enjoyed Procrastinators Get Things Done It was funny, relatable, and full of practical advice that actually feels doable. I loved that the author doesn’t make you feel guilty about procrastinating—she gives you simple ways to work with the way you are. An easy, encouraging read that left me feeling motivated!

[Stephanie Geary]

A Book That Helps You Get Your Life Back, Not Add More to Your To-Do List

What I love about Dana K. White’s Procrastinators Get Stuff Done is that she understands something fundamental about overwhelm: when you’re already struggling to keep up with life, the last thing you need is another system that requires you to become a more organized, more disciplined, more productive version of yourself before you can even begin.

Dana’s approach to decluttering is about working with reality instead of fighting against it. You don’t have to wait until you have more time, more energy, more motivation, or the perfect plan. You start where you are, with what you have, and you take the next manageable step. And somehow, that practical approach extends far beyond physical clutter. It becomes a way of approaching life itself.

One of the things I appreciate most is that this book doesn't feel like another obligation. Reading it doesn't add another mountain of tasks to your already overwhelming list. Instead, it helps you recognize what actually matters, what is genuinely worth your time and energy, and what you can stop feeling obligated to do. It gives you permission to move forward without having to solve everything first.

I think this is particularly valuable for people who have big ideas, meaningful goals, and things they genuinely want to accomplish, but who get stuck because there are so many competing demands that everything starts to feel equally urgent. When everything feels important, it's incredibly difficult to make progress on anything. Dana's approach helps cut through that paralysis by bringing you back to what you can actually do, right now.

The beautiful thing is that the goal isn't simply to get better at managing an endless pile of responsibilities. It's to create room for the things that make your life meaningful. It's about being able to put your energy behind the things you care about instead of constantly feeling buried beneath everything you think you should be doing.

This is a book for people who are tired of feeling behind, tired of trying to fix themselves, and tired of believing that they need to get their entire lives in order before they can start living the lives they want.

You don't need to become a different person to make progress. You don't need to wait until everything is perfect. You just need a way to start moving forward that doesn't overwhelm you all over again.

That's what I think Dana K. White has captured so well in this book. It's not just about getting stuff done. It's about making space for the life you actually want to live.

[Erika B]

As a lifelong procrastinator, I can attest that procrastination is more the result of feeling overwhelmed than it is laziness or lack of motivation. I tend to not know where to start to get something accomplished. I only see Here and There, not the steps along the way. Dana’s solution: Don’t worry about all the steps, just take ONE step…the easiest step that must be done if the project is to be completed. Then take one more step and one more. As you make progress, you start to understand what is required to get to the end point, and you may even change your goals along the way. One strategy for getting “unstuck” is the concept of non-committal experimentation. It’s OK to try something out, see how it goes, and then assess whether it gets you closer to completing your task or project.

Throughout the book, Dana references and builds on her 5-step decluttering process. Fans of Dana, in particular, will be familiar with that foundation as Dana expands her ideas to the challenge of overcoming procrastination. Similar to Dana’s “container concept” for decluttering (you can only keep what fits in the container), another of her procrastination strategies is to view your life as a container that has only so many hours in a day and days in a week. Rather than overfilling your life with more commitments than you have time for, you should carve out space for the ones you value most and reduce or eliminate time spent on less important things.

After reading and absorbing Dana’s lessons for a few weeks, I can appreciate how her advice applies to both big changes (like starting a business) and smaller actions (keeping the kitchen clean, fixing a leaky faucet). I find myself moving forward on all kinds of projects that were part of my seemingly never-ending “to do” list. I highly recommend this book for its concrete advice on breaking the cycle of procrastination and finally getting “unstuck.”

[Jordan]

As a procrastinator who loves Dana's decluttering method, picking this up was an obvious choice. I love the fact that she skips complicated systems or overly optimistic advice and just gives a solid framework for what works. Yes, often it seems obvious when she says it, but sometimes you really just need it laid out in front of you in an easy to follow format. Plus she does it in a casual and conversational manner.

Much like her 5 step decluttering method, her 5 step anti-procrastination method breaks down daunting tasks and projects into manageable steps. I especially love that her planning step is all the way at step 4. Which seems counterintuitive at first, but really makes sense! You really do need to do her first three steps before you can come up with an actual plan and not just make a plan with no basis in reality. Planning before you have a solid idea of the task is just another way of procrastinating.

I also really liked her applying the container concept to things like your identity or your time. You have 24 hours in a day, and it's not your fault you can't take on more, it's simply the limits of time. Similarly you can't be everything. If you have 12 hobbies, you're probably not really investing the time and energy in to any of them that you should to actually enjoy them. Limit your commitments and if you need to take on more, other commitments need to go to make room. Your commitments can and should change with your life.

I read this as an e-arc on Kindle and the formatting was a bit wonky, but hopefully that will be fixed by the final release. The images at chapter beginnings were weirdly broken up and pull out quotes were strangely inserted right in the middle of paragraphs. My only minor quibble with the content itself is wishing there was a quick reference guide in the back or something. A page or two with things like the five step method and procrastination pitfalls to watch out for that would be easy to look back on!

[Pamela Jo]

I was given an advance copy of “Procrastinators Get Things Done” and am giving my honest opinion. And BTW, I’ve always used way too many em dashes and way too many commas. :) All my own “intelligence” such as it is — nothing artificial.
Just as with her blog, and books, and podcasts about decluttering, Dana approaches procrastination from the point of view of a person who struggled with the chaos that procrastination causes. It is not the scolding of someone who has always gotten things done on time. It is the sharing of reality that she worked through—worked through tears—worked through frustration— and worked through “non-committal experimentation.” The pretty obvious statement that, “Going back in time isn’t a strategy” is something that I know, but act like I don’t, when I don’t keep working on a project because I should have already done it. “The ’what I would (or should) have done’ mindset results in procrastination.”
Dana’s “container concept” has been life changing in keeping my house under control and is even more powerful when she applies it to life. “Ultimately, your life is a container. When you embrace the reality that your time is not endless, don’t let it make you panic.”
One of the most powerful statements she makes is, “I know that all of these suggestions are fairly obvious when you look at someone else’s situation. But when you’re in the midst of your own challenge, separating how you wish things were from how they actually are is difficult. But, the situation you’re in is the situation you’re in.”

[Glitter Me]

This was an amazing book! As someone who has struggled with severe procrastination, it would have been amazing to have a book like this while I was struggling. It was a very relatable book, the last chapter on the Jinx Mentality unfortunately hit close to home.

There were also a lot of surprising insights towards making regular life easier that were very helpful, such as the section on premade decisions. If you are in a pinch, the steps begin in chapter 9, although I highly recommended going back and reading the whole book through when you have time.

This leads into my only critique, the organization of this book is quite strange. The action steps are only given halfway through the book? The rest of the book both before and after the strategy explain the mindset shifts of the author in regards to the steps-and personal anecdotes connected to them- but this isn’t outright stated so it just reads like a memoir until you reach the middle.

It would have been better if either the system was listed first, or the examples were divided up amongst chapters dedicated to each step of the process. All in all though, I loved this book!

My favorite quote is “Being mad at reality only makes reality more miserable.”.

4.75 Stars

I requested this book from NetGalley due to the great experience I’ve had with the author’s other books. Her book Decluttering at the Speed of Life in particular was spectacular. Find her at https://www.aslobcomesclean.com/ to learn more.

[Amy]

Dana K. White, who is known for helping people declutter, has written THE book on helping procrastinators get "stuff" done! White takes you through a process, in which she carefully explains the steps, using concrete examples, of moving forward, so that you, as the reader, can end your procrastination once and for all. The most valuable thing that I learned from this book was that progress is the goal -- things don't have to be perfect, as long as progress is being made. The other truly helpful thing that I learned from this book was in regard to rest -- having read so many self-help-type books in the past, many of which tell you to keep going despite being tired, this book was a breath of fresh air in explaining that rest is necessary and actually helpful to procrastinators of all kinds and types. The chapter on rest is worth the price of this book, alone. Great book by a talented writer!

[Kim]

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I loved this book! Dana makes the ideas feel incredibly practical and relatable by using so many real-life examples. I especially loved seeing the concepts applied to everything from business challenges and making a new friend to everyday things we tend to put off.

I’ve already started using many of the techniques in my own life, especially to move forward on business projects that felt intimidating. Breaking things into small, non-committal steps has helped me start, move forward, and even work through some of the fear that was keeping me stuck.

I’ve also used several of the ideas and terminology with my decluttering clients. Sometimes simply having the right words and strategies helps our brains approach something differently, and I’ve already seen it help people begin moving forward.

This is one of those books I finished and immediately started using. Highly recommend!

[Elizabeth Messenger]

I received an early copy as part of the launch team. And procrastinator fashion I didn't finish reading the book in time for release day. But I have read several chapters.
I saw another review a few weeks ago that said it was a waste of time. But I don't agree.
Dana K White is so thoughtful and she verbalizes all the little things that pinpoint my hangups. She helps break the big projects down into little steps so that those big daunting things that we keep putting off aren't so daunting.
I love Dana's writing so I really enjoyed the part that I was able to read. And I'm looking forward to finishing the book. But already I have been trying to implement some of the principles like just look and do some of the little things that you have to do anyway.

[Genell Wheeler]

I binge read the first Dana K White book I stumbled upon "Decluttering at the Speed of Life" and it changed how I tackled our house and belongings. I've followed her ever since, often returning to the basic steps of her no mess decluttering process when I needed a reminder. I was so excited when I learned she was writing a book about procrastinations because hello clutter and procrastination go hand in hand, or at least they do in my world! When I started reading Procrastinators Get Stuff Done I wasn't sure whether to be freaked out or relieved that I felt so seen by someone I've never met. In true Dana fashion, the book is filled with down to earth advice, humor, and a reminders to show yourself grace. The anti-procrastination process has been a great addition to my toolbox of how to adult more effectively.

[Reader]

If you’ve ever used Dana’s No-Mess Decluttering Process, you know her superpower is making overwhelming tasks feel simple and safe to start. Her 5-step Anti-Procrastination Process applies that exact same logic to overcoming procrastination.

She breaks down mental blocks without pushing rigid "productivity guru" rules that fail after three days. Instead, you get a clean, zero-guilt, step-by-step framework to build momentum when you’re feeling totally stuck. Her first three steps are decision-free and enable you to chip away at any project without feeling stuck. Her fourth and fifth steps are the "finishing steps," but by then, the project is already significantly smaller.

[Linda Swan]

Dana offers a practical approach to procrastination that works for anyone whose brain tells them everything needs to be “just so” before they start the thing they need or want to do. I’m the type of person who can plan anything to the nth degree and then put off actually doing any part of the plan. The five step process outlined here gives me a framework to approach this dilemma, starting with considering what the smallest thing is that I can do right now that will eventually have to be done anyway. I read an advance electronic copy of the book and can’t wait to receive my hard copy so I can reread, highlight and memorize all the important parts. Bravo, Dana K. White for helping many people with your words once again.

[Dee Heitz]

I have only read the first 3 chapters so far, and generally I don't really care for self-help books. However, this one is different. Reading these chapters about misconceptions about procrastination, have already given me a sense of relief and hope. Here is someone who understands and doesn't judge me or make me judge myself. She gets it, and she helps me get it. The relief and clarity that I feel even in these first chapters are such a help. The way she lays out the steps (I am familiar with her decluttering steps) is straightforward and helps clarify what to do next. It may seem almost too simple at first, but it is actually the way forward. This is book is worth the read!

[Tracy K]

I tend to procrastinate and think of all the things I needed to do. I become overwhelmed and shut down, which means nothing gets done. This book Procrastinators Get Stuff Done by Dana K. White, has helped me so much! At the beginning it was alittle difficult to stay interested but the more I read, the more I wanted to read. I learned a lot about moving myself forward. I also loved the small glimpses into her life told through the little stories. So if you are like me and you procrastinate with getting stuff done, order the book today!

[Anne Michele Somerville]

I am reading the book and can't wait until it is officially launched and I can get my preordered copy on Audible. Dana has a knack for getting to the heart of things that I struggle with. I often tell people that Procrastination" is my middle name. Dana is funny, honest and gets right to the heart of the matter, both in having a first hand experience of the heartache that can come from procrastination and has successful tips to help me overcome them. She can help you too. It is a book you will want to read over and over or listen to.

[Joy]

Dana has once again pulled me into her book by helping me see myself in what she writes. She shows me what I’m thinking when I’m procrastinating and why it’s so hard to move forward. Her examples from her own life and from other readers like me, are so helpful in showing me how I can incorporate these ideas into my home and life. Guidance with simple steps is the best way for me to work through these kind of every day and not-so-everyday tasks in ways that help me gain progress and confidence. It’s not magic. It’s not a straight line from A to Z. It is a way to do something I’ve struggled with my whole life such that I can make progress with consistency but not with the usual overwhelm. Thanks Dana!!

[Shiralee Stewart]

I have been privileged to be a member of the launch team for this book, and I have found it to be an absolute breath of fresh air.

The advice is practical, relatable and genuinely helpful, but what I’ve enjoyed most is the way it is written. It feels more like sitting down and having a conversation with the author than being lectured to — something I have often found with other books on this subject.

It’s easy to read, encouraging and full of advice that you can actually put into practice. I’ve enjoyed it so much that I’ve ordered both the paperback and audiobook, and I know it’s a book I’ll be coming back to again and again.

A wonderfully written, insightful and genuinely helpful book that I’m very happy to recommend.

[Reader]

Do I think everyone needs to read this book? Yes I do. Do I think I will continue reading it over and over and over again. Oh yes, I do. As in previous books, Dana L. White has a way with words that just makes my brain click, and suddenly I see the whole thing. I relate to her stories. I have laughed so hard so many times while reading, because I’ve been in similar situations like the ones she described in the book. No shame attached. And most important: I really, really make changes right now. This is amazing.