---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Step 1: Recognize That You're…"
description: "\"“Step 1: Recognize That You're Procrastinating If you're honest with yourself, you probably know when you're procrastinating. Here are some useful indi..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b1f/tony-narams-69598_honest-with-yourself_step-1-recognize-that-you-re-procrastina_891850.jpg"
---

#  Step 1: Recognize That You're Procrastinating If you're…

![“Step 1: Recognize That You're Procrastinating If you're honest with yourself, you probably know when you're procrastinating. Here are some useful indicators that will help you know when you’re procrastinating Filling your day with low priority tasks from your To Do List. Reading e-mails several…” quote by Tony Narams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b1f/tony-narams-69598_honest-with-yourself_step-1-recognize-that-you-re-procrastina_891850.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b1f/tony-narams-69598_honest-with-yourself_step-1-recognize-that-you-re-procrastina_891850.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b1f/tony-narams-69598_honest-with-yourself_step-1-recognize-that-you-re-procrastina_891850.jpg)

> ““Step 1: Recognize That You're Procrastinating If you're honest with yourself, you probably know when you're procrastinating. Here are some useful indicators that will help you know when you’re procrastinating Filling your day with low priority tasks from your To Do List. Reading e-mails several times without starting work on them or deciding what you’re going to do with them. Sitting down to start a high-priority task, and almost immediately going off to make a cup of coffee. Leaving an item on your To Do list for a long time, even though you know it's important. Regularly saying "Yes" to unimportant tasks that others ask you to do, and filling your time with these instead of getting on with the important tasks already on your list. Waiting for the “right mood” or the “right time” to tackle the important task at hand.””

[Tony Narams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-narams/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Recognizing procrastination involves noticing low‑priority habits, avoidance, and waiting for the perfect moment, which delays important work.

**In simple terms:** Spotting avoidance habits shows you’re procrastinating.

Key Takeaway

Identify and act on real priorities.

Themes

productivity self‑awareness time management

Mood

motivational practical

Type

self‑help coaching

When to use this quote

- daily work
- task planning
- goal setting

Key Concepts

behavioral cues habit loops

Questions to Reflect On

- What tasks do you consistently delay?
- How can you create a “right mood” without waiting?

A Different Perspective

Procrastination often hides deeper fear of failure.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Honest with yourself](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/honest-with-yourself/) [Know Procrastinating](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/know-procrastinating-1155834/) [Long time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/long-time/) [Procrastinating](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/procrastinating/) [Procrastinating Filling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/procrastinating-filling-1155836/) [Procrastinating Useful](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/procrastinating-useful-1155835/) [Recognize Procrastinating](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/recognize-procrastinating-1155833/) [Right time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/right-time/) [Task at hand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/task-at-hand/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/)

## Related quotes

> [I shaped my reputation in this business and this outlook in this business being singularly focused on the task at hand.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-tomlin/i-shaped-my-reputation-in-this-business-and-this-outlook-in-this/)

[Mike Tomlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-tomlin/)

> [“One must beckon the spiritual warrior inside oneself whenever it is necessary for the task at hand. Courage is the fuel. Healing is the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donna-goddard/one-must-beckon-the-spiritual-warrior-inside-oneself-whenever-it-is/)

[Donna Goddard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donna-goddard/)

> [When I'm hiring someone I look for magic and a spark. Little things that intuitively give me a gut feeling that this person will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tommy-mottola/when-i-m-hiring-someone-i-look-for-magic-and-a-spark-little-things/)

[Tommy Mottola](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tommy-mottola/)

> [“it was so hard to see what the future held because to perform at this game, you have to be “in the mud,” obsessed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doug-glanville/it-was-so-hard-to-see-what-the-future-held-because-to-perform-at-this/)

[Doug Glanville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doug-glanville/)

> [“Concentrate all your thoughts on the task at hand. The sun's rays do not burn until brought to a focus.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-graham-bell/concentrate-all-your-thoughts-on-the-task-at-hand-the-sun-s-rays-do/)

[Alexander Graham Bell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-graham-bell/)

> [“I learned an important lesson about staying focused on the task at hand. It was important to have dreams, but if all you did…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-jennings-hegar/i-learned-an-important-lesson-about-staying-focused-on-the-task-at/)

[Mary Jennings Hegar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-jennings-hegar/)

> [When you're in the field, you just focus on the task at hand.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-berehulak/when-you-re-in-the-field-you-just-focus-on-the-task-at-hand/)

[Daniel Berehulak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-berehulak/)

> [“My rule of thumb is that any time we impose limits or procedures, we should ask how they will aid in enabling people to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-catmull/my-rule-of-thumb-is-that-any-time-we-impose-limits-or-procedures-we/)

[Ed Catmull](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-catmull/)

> [I think the right way to work is by focusing on each task at hand and then move forward.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lance-stroll/i-think-the-right-way-to-work-is-by-focusing-on-each-task-at-hand-and/)

[Lance Stroll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lance-stroll/)

> [“Let go of your worries and focus only on the task at hand. The future will be what it will, and fretting about it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-paolini/let-go-of-your-worries-and-focus-only-on-the-task-at-hand-the-future/)

[Christopher Paolini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-paolini/)

> [“Mamá was mixing bread dough by the kitchen window, pressing and pulling in a culinary tug of war. It took all her strength to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tess-almend-rez-lojacono/mam-was-mixing-bread-dough-by-the-kitchen-window-pressing-and-pulling/)

[Tess Almend�rez Lojacono](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tess-almend-rez-lojacono/)

> [“Once taken off one task without completing the transaction, the mind continues to seek closure. Fight to stay focused on the task at hand.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-davidson/once-taken-off-one-task-without-completing-the-transaction-the-mind/)

[Jeff Davidson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-davidson/)

> [Game day can be emotional, and there are a lot of ups and downs throughout a game, but as a quarterback, you have to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-smith/game-day-can-be-emotional-and-there-are-a-lot-of-ups-and-downs/)

[Alex Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-smith/)

> [“Viagra isn't the only drug being prescribed off-label for women with arousal problems. Los Angeles urologist Jennifer Berman told me some doctors are prescribing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-roach/viagra-isn-t-the-only-drug-being-prescribed-off-label-for-women-with/)

[Mary Roach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-roach/)

> [“Tools of the Mind, by contrast, doesn’t focus much on reading and math abilities. Instead, all of its interventions are intended to help children…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-tough/tools-of-the-mind-by-contrast-doesn-t-focus-much-on-reading-and-math/)

[Paul Tough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-tough/)

## More by Tony Narams

> [“WHAT IS PROCRASTINATION? In a nutshell, someone said it right when he said that you procrastinate when you put off things that you should…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-narams/what-is-procrastination-in-a-nutshell-someone-said-it-right-when-he/)

[Tony Narams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-narams/)

> [“Step 2: Work Out WHY You're Procrastinating This can depend on both you and the task. But it's important to understand which of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-narams/step-2-work-out-why-you-re-procrastinating-this-can-depend-on-both/)

[Tony Narams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-narams/)

> [“Step 3: Adopt Anti-Procrastination Strategies Procrastination is a habit – a deeply ingrained pattern of behavior. That means that you won’t just break it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-narams/step-3-adopt-anti-procrastination-strategies-procrastination-is-a/)

[Tony Narams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-narams/)

[Explore all 4 Tony Narams quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-narams/)

## More Honest with yourself quotes

> [There are two ways of knowing if something ends badly: If you're honest with yourself, you just kind of know it. And then there's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vince-gilligan/there-are-two-ways-of-knowing-if-something-ends-badly-if-you-re/)

[Vince Gilligan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vince-gilligan/)

> [When you're able to be honest with yourself about who you are and finally can present your authentic true self to the world, you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gus-kenworthy/when-you-re-able-to-be-honest-with-yourself-about-who-you-are-and/)

[Gus Kenworthy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gus-kenworthy/)

> [I guess it has to be healthy, you have to be honest with yourself and I think that's when ego is okay.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sophia-amoruso/i-guess-it-has-to-be-healthy-you-have-to-be-honest-with-yourself-and/)

[Sophia Amoruso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophia-amoruso/)

> [“feel free to lie to anyone,but be honest with yourself”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doto-xuyi/feel-free-to-lie-to-anyone-but-be-honest-with-yourself/)

[Doto-Xuyi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doto-xuyi/)

> [I think, as a filmmaker, it's important to be honest with yourself at all times in terms of what's working and what's not.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-wingard/i-think-as-a-filmmaker-it-s-important-to-be-honest-with-yourself-at/)

[Adam Wingard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-wingard/)

> [Everybody knows what they were kind of drawn towards or what they're gifted at and it's more of courage and looking at yourself and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-greene/everybody-knows-what-they-were-kind-of-drawn-towards-or-what-they-re/)

[Robert Greene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-greene/)

> [The statement 'I have no choice' is a lie. Be honest with yourself as to why you are choosing to do a particular thing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-statement-i-have-no-choice-is-a-lie-be-honest-with-yourself-as-to/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [“At a certain point, an eating disorder ceases to be "about" any one thing. It stops being about your family, or your culture. Very…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marya-hornbacher/at-a-certain-point-an-eating-disorder-ceases-to-be-about-any-one/)

[Marya Hornbacher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marya-hornbacher/)

> [You are honest enough by nature to be able to see and judge your own self clearly - and that is a great thing.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/enid-blyton/you-are-honest-enough-by-nature-to-be-able-to-see-and-judge-your-own/)

[Enid Blyton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/enid-blyton/)

> [Being honest when you're dealing with others is easier to do because your honesty is on the table for all to view...Being honest with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-gitomer/being-honest-when-you-re-dealing-with-others-is-easier-to-do-because/)

[Jeffrey Gitomer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-gitomer/)

> [People tend to lie to themselves about their finances - they'll ignore their credit card bills or ignore certain expenses and won't even make…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-nassib/people-tend-to-lie-to-themselves-about-their-finances-they-ll-ignore/)

[Carl Nassib](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-nassib/)

> [If you're honest with yourself, that's the first step in maturing and becoming a better person. If you suppress your shortcomings and fears, they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keith-millard/if-you-re-honest-with-yourself-that-s-the-first-step-in-maturing-and/)

[Keith Millard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keith-millard/)

> [It's being honest with yourself, being honest with your team, listening to them and being open to tell them your fears and what is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrey-rublev/it-s-being-honest-with-yourself-being-honest-with-your-team-listening/)

[Andrey Rublev](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrey-rublev/)

> [“What are the top-three activities that I use to fill time to feel as though I’ve been productive? These are usually used to postpone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-ferriss/what-are-the-top-three-activities-that-i-use-to-fill-time-to-feel-as/)

[Timothy Ferriss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-ferriss/)

> [Don't kid yourself. Be honest with yourself. Take your own inventory.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-canfield/don-t-kid-yourself-be-honest-with-yourself-take-your-own-inventory/)

[Jack Canfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-canfield/)

[Browse all 207 Honest with yourself quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/honest-with-yourself/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "“Step 1: Recognize That You're Procrastinating If you're honest with yourself, you probably know when you're procrastinating. Here are some useful indicators that will help you know when you’re procrastinating Filling your day with low priority tasks from your To Do List. Reading e-mails several times without starting work on them or deciding what you’re going to do with them. Sitting down to start a high-priority task, and almost immediately going off to make a cup of coffee. Leaving an item on your To Do list for a long time, even though you know it's important. Regularly saying \"Yes\" to unimportant tasks that others ask you to do, and filling your time with these instead of getting on with the important tasks already on your list. Waiting for the “right mood” or the “right time” to tackle the important task at hand.”",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Tony Narams"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-narams/step-1-recognize-that-you-re-procrastinating-if-you-re-honest-with/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Honest with yourself"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-narams/step-1-recognize-that-you-re-procrastinating-if-you-re-honest-with/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b1f/tony-narams-69598_honest-with-yourself_step-1-recognize-that-you-re-procrastina_891850.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b1f/tony-narams-69598_honest-with-yourself_step-1-recognize-that-you-re-procrastina_891850.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b1f/tony-narams-69598_honest-with-yourself_step-1-recognize-that-you-re-procrastina_891850.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“Step 1: Recognize That You're Procrastinating If you're honest with yourself, you probably know when you're…” — Tony Narams",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Tony Narams",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-narams/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "“Step 1: Recognize That You're Procrastinating...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-narams/step-1-recognize-that-you-re-procrastinating-if-you-re-honest-with/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-narams/step-1-recognize-that-you-re-procrastinating-if-you-re-honest-with/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
