Don’t Let the Popcorn Guy Be in Charge
Sep 22, 2026
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In my book, We All Have a Thing (affiliate), I created a character to represent procrastination. I named him, Procrastino, Minister of Later, Keeper of Snacks.
Isn’t he adorable? Sitting on the sofa, wearing glasses, just in case, you know Netflix binge. He’s got his blanket. He’s got his popcorn. I’m sure he’ll share. I kind of love him.
He says things like, “Not right now,” and “You’ll do better later,” and “ You deserve a break.” He suggests five minutes on your phone, just a little scroll, to reset. Or one more episode, one more nap, or one more game of solitaire. He’s really good at his job.
Usually, when we procrastinate, we make it mean something about us. We think, “I am a procrastinator.” The problem is this takes something that happens and turns it into our identity and now procrastination has a permanent foothold in our life.
I’d like us to practice being able to notice him. “Oh, Procrastino is here.”
That shift gives us space to see what is happening without condemning ourselves. Of course Procrastino is here. What you are getting ready to do is hard, or you’re tired as you start, or it’s going to take a chunk of time. Your brain wants to protect you from the discomfort. It’s treating discomfort like danger.
Procrastino shows up with thoughts of couch, snack, later, not yet. He presents options that feel easier in the moment. He may even tempt you with the word rest. And while we do need rest,(I did a whole blog series on this. Check out the May Rest Series-2026)his rest doesn’t restore us.
Procrastino entices us to avoid what we say we want to do or what we need to do.
This week, we’re not asking whether Procrastino will show up. He will. We’re asking whether we’re going to let him be in charge.
Let’s look at the Clarity Loop to help us understand.
My thought might be, “I’ll do it later.” It might even create a surface feeling of relief, but I want to challenge us a little. After that short moment of relief, how does it really feel to not do what you were going to do? There might be disappointment. Maybe you feel overwhelmed knowing later doesn’t give us more time or energy.
If you give in to procrastination, the action is usually delayed. You do something else. The result is the thing is still undone. And now you’re back to the thought, “I’ll do it later.” See? I put things off.
When Procrastino is in charge, the thing doesn’t get easier later. If we’re honest, it gets harder because now it has baggage and practice behind it. You’ve practiced not doing it, letting yourself off the hook.
This is when making procrastination into a cartoon character helps me. If we can imagine this whole cycle being narrated by a little guy on the couch with popcorn, it gets easy to laugh at the idea of letting him make our decisions.
I mean he’s cute. Maybe he’ll share his popcorn. Maybe it’s yummy movie theater popcorn.. But honestly, I don’t want him to decide whether I write the chapter, pay the bill, get the car serviced, or clean the kitchen. It’s just not a living my best life strategy to let a cartoon character be in charge.
Leading ourselves is a better strategy. That involves noticing the pull to procrastinate. “Oh, Procrastino is here. Of course he is. This feels hard, thanks for trying to help, but I’m in charge.” When you notice him and choose not to hand him your daily to-do list, you build trust with yourself.
You teach your brain that this discomfort isn’t danger.
We’re not trying to create a life where the inclination to procrastinate never shows up. I’m not sure that’s even possible. We’re practicing noticing it sooner, naming it with a little humor, and deciding who’s in charge.
So, here’s the practice for this week:
When you notice yourself putting something off, pause and name it. “Oh, Procrastino is here.” Then ask, “What feels hard about this?”
Is it boring? Time intensive? Hard? Does it take resources you feel like you don’t have? Maybe you don’t know how to do it? Name what feels uncomfortable about it, and then decide who’s in charge.
For this week, practice saying, “I’m in charge here.”
Not Procrastino. We’re not letting the popcorn guy be in charge of the things we want or need to do.
Notice the ink-making
See the loop.
Borrow a plan
Decide who’s in charge.
I’ll be cheering you on.
Interested in learning more about coaching? Don’t procrastinate! 😉 Send me a message and we’ll set up a time to talk about it. (paigekullmancoaching@gmail.com)
