Ep 64: Why You Can't Stop Procrastinating (And What to Actually Do About It)

We'll be honest, one of us procrastinated on her own podcast class about podcasting. And that's exactly how this episode happened.

This week, the Mandys get real about procrastination: why we do it, why we can't seem to stop, and the tips and tricks we're actually putting into practice. No judgment. We're both works in progress.

We get into:

• Why procrastination isn't laziness — it's often fear, overwhelm, perfectionism, or ADHD

• The dopamine hit of the deadline and why some of us genuinely do our best work under pressure

• Why the "eat that frog" method and waking up at 5am won't work for everyone

• The brain dump + time blocking combo that's actually making a difference

• How to use a secondary calendar to stop your week from blowing up on Thursday

• Why setting deadlines, even fake ones, changes everything

• The resentment connection: why you're putting off that task at work (hint: it might be a sign)

• The bite-sized piece method for massive projects you keep avoiding

• Why procrastinating on things that don't have deadlines is punishing future you

• How to take the shame out of the way your brain actually works

🔒 Share your corporate secrets anonymously at thecorporateburnouts.com⭐ Subscribe & leave a review — it means more than you know!

FAQs

1. What does the vagus nerve have to do with burnout?
Jessica Maguire explains that the vagus nerve plays a major role in regulating the nervous system and stress response, impacting everything from digestion and immune function to emotional regulation and recovery from burnout.

2. Why does Jessica say burnout is a physiology problem, not a willpower problem?
The episode explains that chronic stress changes how the nervous system functions, meaning burnout is not simply about motivation or mindset—it’s a biological state of depletion and dysregulation.

3. What physical symptoms of burnout are discussed in this episode?
Jessica and the Mandys connect burnout to symptoms like gut issues, brain fog, chronic fatigue, immune problems, low libido, and emotional numbness that many people do not immediately associate with stress.

4. Why is play considered important for nervous system recovery?
The conversation highlights that genuine play and feelings of safety help regulate the nervous system, reduce chronic stress responses, and support long-term recovery from burnout.