Do the hard thing first: why you're not lazy, you're avoiding a feeling. The hardest part of any task isn't the middle. It's the start. That's the wall. I’m a chronic task avoider, and in this episode I’m sharing my tried and tested ADHD guide to beating procrastination and the avoidance loop.

This episode is for you if:
You'll dread one tiny email and somehow clean the whole house to avoid it
You've called yourself lazy your whole life despite having a full, busy, can't-sit-still life
You've tried every new planner and schedule and still can't make yourself start

Here's what I break down in this episode:
Procrastination is emotion management, not time management: why you're avoiding the feeling, not the task
The avoidance loop: how "being busy" is actually how you dodge the thing that matters
Open tabs: why unfinished tasks drain your battery all day (the 1920s study)
Do the hard thing first: how to beat your own excuses to the door
Three hacks to start: the doable start, name the feeling, and the 2-minute timer

…

Episode Links:

Weekly Planner Notepad: https://www.stephpaseplanners.com.au/products/weekly-planner-notepad-undated 

2026 Planners: https://www.stephpaseplanners.com.au/collections/planners

…

Follow Stephing Up

I’m Steph Pase, your (somewhat) organised bestie in your ears. This podcast is about growth that’s messy, building a life that actually fits you, and what happens when life doesn’t go to plan. We’ll talk mental health, motherhood, business, ADHD and how to stop being such an asshole to yourself.

New episodes drop every Monday morning.
So set your reminder. Pop in your headphones. Because we’re Stephing Up together.

…

Let’s Hang:

Submit your Hot Mess Hotline question here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeUnWTcPntVMCQrdu2wSFqFHEnQkggznr_23Ux9zDBNvlh78g/viewform?usp=publish-editor 

Stephing Up on Instagram: @stephing.up        

Steph Pase on Instagram:  @stephpase_         

Steph Pase on Youtube:  @stephpase.                

Shop Planners + Organisation: Steph Pase Planners    

Shop Steph’s book “Mastering my Messy Life”:    Penguin Books Australia 

Do the hard thing first: why you're not lazy, you're avoiding a feeling. The hardest part of any task isn't the middle. It's the start. That's the wall. I&rsquo;m a chronic task avoider, and in this episode I&rsquo;m sharing my tried and tested ADHD guide to beating procrastination and the avoidance loop.
This episode is for you if:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">You'll dread one tiny email and somehow clean the whole house to avoid it</li>
<li aria-level="1">You've called yourself lazy your whole life despite having a full, busy, can't-sit-still life</li>
<li aria-level="1">You've tried every new planner and schedule and still can't make yourself start</li>
</ul>
Here's what I break down in this episode:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Procrastination is emotion management, not time management: why you're avoiding the feeling, not the task</li>
<li aria-level="1">The avoidance loop: how "being busy" is actually how you dodge the thing that matters</li>
<li aria-level="1">Open tabs: why unfinished tasks drain your battery all day (the 1920s study)</li>
<li aria-level="1">Do the hard thing first: how to beat your own excuses to the door</li>
<li aria-level="1">Three hacks to start: the doable start, name the feeling, and the 2-minute timer</li>
</ul>
&hellip;
Episode Links:
Weekly Planner Notepad: <a href="https://www.stephpaseplanners.com.au/products/weekly-planner-notepad-undated">https://www.stephpaseplanners.com.au/products/weekly-planner-notepad-undated</a>&nbsp;
2026 Planners: <a href="https://www.stephpaseplanners.com.au/collections/planners">https://www.stephpaseplanners.com.au/collections/planners</a>
&hellip;
Follow Stephing Up
I&rsquo;m Steph Pase, your (somewhat) organised bestie in your ears. This podcast is about growth that&rsquo;s messy, building a life that actually fits you, and what happens when life doesn&rsquo;t go to plan. We&rsquo;ll talk mental health, motherhood, business, ADHD and how to stop being such an asshole to yourself.
New episodes drop every Monday morning. So set your reminder. Pop in your headphones. Because we&rsquo;re Stephing Up together.
&hellip;
Let&rsquo;s Hang:
Submit your Hot Mess Hotline question here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeUnWTcPntVMCQrdu2wSFqFHEnQkggznr_23Ux9zDBNvlh78g/viewform?usp=publish-editor&nbsp;
Stephing Up on Instagram: <a href="http://stephing.up">@stephing.up</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Steph Pase on Instagram:&nbsp; <a href="https://www.instagram.com/stephpase_">@stephpase_ </a>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Steph Pase on Youtube:&nbsp; <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@StephPase.">@stephpase. </a>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Shop Planners + Organisation: <a href="https://www.stephpaseplanners.com.au/">Steph Pase Planners </a>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Shop Steph&rsquo;s book &ldquo;Mastering my Messy Life&rdquo;:&nbsp; &nbsp; <a href="https://www.penguin.com.au/books/mastering-my-messy-life-9781761349256">Penguin Books Australia </a>

Hey legend, welcome to Stephing Up. 

Have you ever felt that everyone got a manual for life, and yours is from Temu and it smells funny? Me too.

I’m Steph Pase, your (somewhat) organised best friend in your ears. 

This podcast is about growth that’s messy, building a life that actually fits you, and what happens when life doesn’t go to plan.

We’ll talk mental health, motherhood, business, ADHD and how to stop being such an asshole to yourself. 

This podcast isn't for people with an alarm clock built into their brain, it's for the messy minds of the world. Because spoiler alert, you might know me for my organisation tips and tricks… but I’m actually a hot mess. 

So if you’re feeling behind, burnt out and like you’re barely holding it together, this is the place for you. 

New episodes drop every Monday morning.
So set your reminder. Pop in your headphones.
Because we’re Stephing Up together.

----

LINKS:

Stephing Up on Instagram: @stephing.up   

Steph Pase on Instagram:  @stephpase_  

Steph Pase on Youtube:  @stephpase.   

Shop Planners + Organisation: Steph Pase Planners   

Shop Steph’s book “Mastering my Messy Life”:    Penguin Books Australia https://www.penguin.com.au/books/mastering-my-messy-life-9781761349256 

Hey legend, welcome to Stephing Up.&nbsp;
Have you ever felt that everyone got a manual for life, and yours is from Temu and it smells funny? Me too.
I&rsquo;m Steph Pase, your (somewhat) organised best friend in your ears.&nbsp;
This podcast is about growth that&rsquo;s messy, building a life that actually fits you, and what happens when life doesn&rsquo;t go to plan.
We&rsquo;ll talk mental health, motherhood, business, ADHD and how to stop being such an asshole to yourself.&nbsp;
This podcast isn't for people with an alarm clock built into their brain, it's for the messy minds of the world. Because spoiler alert, you might know me for my organisation tips and tricks&hellip; but I&rsquo;m actually a hot mess.&nbsp;
So if you&rsquo;re feeling behind, burnt out and like you&rsquo;re barely holding it together, this is the place for you.&nbsp;
New episodes drop every Monday morning. So set your reminder. Pop in your headphones. Because we&rsquo;re Stephing Up together.
----
LINKS:
Stephing Up on Instagram: <a href="http://stephing.up">@stephing.up</a>&nbsp; &nbsp;
Steph Pase on Instagram:&nbsp; <a href="https://www.instagram.com/stephpase_">@stephpase_ </a>&nbsp;
Steph Pase on Youtube:&nbsp; <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@StephPase.">@stephpase. </a>&nbsp;&nbsp;
Shop Planners + Organisation: <a href="https://www.stephpaseplanners.com.au/">Steph Pase Planners </a>&nbsp;&nbsp;
Shop Steph&rsquo;s book &ldquo;Mastering my Messy Life&rdquo;:&nbsp; &nbsp; <a href="https://www.penguin.com.au/books/mastering-my-messy-life-9781761349256">Penguin Books Australia </a><a href="https://www.penguin.com.au/books/mastering-my-messy-life-9781761349256">https://www.penguin.com.au/books/mastering-my-messy-life-9781761349256</a>&nbsp;

Have you ever felt that everyone got a manual for life, and yours is from Temu and it smells funny? Me too.  I’m Steph Pase, your (somewhat) organised best friend in your ears.   This podcast is about growth that’s messy, building a life that actually fits you, and what happens when life doesn’t go to plan.

Stephing Up

Do the Hard Thing First: Why You're Not Lazy, You're Avoiding a Feeling

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/cc67a574-30a5-41a6-8288-b46e0078b7f1/transcript