When to Stop

Structured procrastination is a strategy, not a lifestyle. Treat it as a bridge to better habits, and watch for the moment to face the decoy head-on:

• Under 48 hours left — The buffer is gone. Switch to direct action now.
• Avoidance is breeding anxiety — When the dread keeps you up at night, dodging costs more than doing.
• The list is empty — Everything else is done. The decoy stands alone.
• The task has shrunk — Your brain quietly chewed on it while you worked. It now feels smaller than you remembered.