Overcome Procrastination: Clarity for Entrepreneurs in Vietnam
- 4 days ago
- 3 min read
Dear Entrepreneur,
Ever sit down with your friend, only to end up scrolling or staring at a blank screen? You call it laziness, but let’s be real—it’s not. It’s fog. Too many ideas, too much pressure, and no clear path forward. You’re not slacking; you’re just lost in the haze. Here’s how to overcome procrastination and find your way.
Overcome Procrastination: The Morning That Felt Like Mud
Last week, I was at a coworking spot in Da Nang, surrounded by the hum of laptops and the clink of coffee cups. I’d planned to nail a pitch deck, but two hours in, I’d rearranged my desktop icons twice and watched three YouTube videos about “productivity hacks.” Sound familiar? I felt like I was wading through mud, blaming myself for being “lazy.” Then, over a quick bún chả lunch, a friend said something that hit: “You’re not stuck because you’re lazy—you’re stuck because you’re trying to do everything at once.”
That moment flipped a switch. Procrastination wasn’t about my work ethic; it was about my focus—or lack of it. Entrepreneurs in Vietnam, like anywhere, juggle a million things: client calls, side hustles, and dreams bigger than Dragon Bridge. But when everything feels urgent, nothing gets done. To overcome procrastination, you need to clear the fog, not add more noise.
Why the Fog Rolls In
Here’s the raw truth: your brain hates chaos. When your to-do list looks like a Hoi An market at Tet—crowded, colorful, and overwhelming—you freeze. In Da Nang’s startup scene, I’ve seen freelancers and founders alike stall out, not because they lack drive, but because they lack direction. Maybe you’re scared of picking the wrong task, or you’re drowning in options: Should you tweak your website, pitch a client, or post on social?
That fog? It’s a signal. It’s your mind begging for clarity. To overcome procrastination, you don’t need more hustle—you need less clutter. Strip away the noise, and you’ll see the path.
One Trick to Cut Through
Here’s the lesson I’ve learned, and it’s helped me and others in Vietnam’s creative crowd: start stupidly small. Forget “launch a business” or “build a brand.” Pick one tiny move—like writing a single email subject line or sketching a logo idea on a napkin. Last week, I ditched my grand plan and just wrote one slide for that pitch deck. Took 10 minutes. Suddenly, the fog lifted, and I was rolling.
Why does this work? Small steps trick your brain into action. They’re less scary, less heavy. In a city like Da Nang, where slow life meets startup hustle, this approach fits. You don’t need to sprint like you’re in Saigon traffic—just take one step, then another. Those micro-wins stack up, and before you know it, you’ve overcome procrastination without even trying.
Keep Your Spark Close
There’s one more thing: your “why.” Running a startup or freelance gig in Vietnam isn’t easy—language barriers, visa stress, or just missing phở from your hometown can weigh you down. When I feel stuck, I remind myself why I’m here: to build something that matters, to live life on my terms. Jot your reason down—stick it on your laptop or whisper it over your morning coffee. That spark will guide you when the fog gets thick, helping you overcome procrastination by keeping your eyes on the prize.
Take a Breath, Then Move
Dear Entrepreneur, you’re not lazy—you’re human, and humans get foggy sometimes. Whether you’re grinding in a Da Nang coworking space or sketching ideas at a beachside café, know this: you don’t need to do it all today. To overcome procrastination, pick one small thing, do it, and let the momentum carry you. The haze will clear, and you’ll find your stride. Come meet people like you at Wildcats—we’re all figuring it out together.
Always have your back,
— Wildcats
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