Let’s be real for a minute. If beating procrastination were easy, we’d all be out there crushing goals, waking up at 5 AM, drinking green smoothies, and journaling like monks. But instead, most of us are caught in the loop of “I’ll start tomorrow.” That was me, too, until I stumbled upon a weirdly effective strategy: watching the right shows.
Yes, seriously. Watching TV helped me beat procrastination.
Now, before you roll your eyes and click away, let me explain. These weren’t just any shows. They were deeply personal and mentally stimulating, and each one triggered something in me that made me want to get up and take charge of my life. They lit a fire under me when I felt stuck. They made me reflect on my habits, my choices, and the direction of my life.
And no, this isn’t an excuse to binge-watch aimlessly. This is about being intentional with your entertainment. These shows helped me create momentum, shift my mindset, and build habits that lasted beyond the final episode.
There are many short series that you should watch, too that are worth seeing and shouldn`t be missed.
Here’s how it happened, and how you can use them too.
The Queen’s Gambit (Netflix)
Watching Beth Harmon go from an orphan with nothing to a world-class chess champion sparked something powerful in me. She was obsessed with getting better, studying, practicing, and challenging herself every single day. Her discipline was intimidating at first, but it eventually became contagious.
I realized that procrastination wasn’t my real problem. It was a lack of clarity. Beth knew exactly what she wanted: to be the best. I didn’t. So I got clear on my goals, and suddenly, I had something to work toward.
I started blocking time in my day to focus, with no distractions. I created a dedicated workspace, even if it was just a corner of my room. I began tracking my progress like Beth tracked her games. The more I focused, the more I felt like I was beating procrastination one small task at a time.
Takeaway: Define your vision. Clarity kills procrastination.
Did you know?
The Queen’s Gambit led to a 600% spike in chessboard sales
BoJack Horseman (Netflix)
At first glance, this looks like a goofy cartoon. But BoJack’s internal battles with depression, regret, and self-sabotage hit hard. Watching him avoid responsibility and push people away made me see my habits more clearly.
Beating procrastination wasn’t just about doing tasks. It was about facing the uncomfortable stuff I was avoiding. BoJack helped me stop lying to myself. I started journaling. I admitted where I was stuck. It wasn’t pretty, but it was the start of real change.
One episode, in particular, made me realize how I was using distractions to numb discomfort. That awareness gave me power. I became more mindful of when I was reaching for my phone or turning on random YouTube videos. I began replacing avoidance with action, even small ones.
Takeaway: Healing your mindset is part of the journey to beat procrastination.
Did You Know?
Watching motivational content can trigger dopamine. Studies show that watching inspiring TV shows can activate the brain’s reward system,
Better Call Saul (Netflix/AMC)
Jimmy McGill is the king of persistence. He messes up a lot, but he always finds a way to bounce back. His journey from underdog to criminal lawyer is a masterclass in resilience.
Watching him grind, hustle, and evolve despite the odds made me rethink my approach. I was waiting for motivation to strike. But Jimmy showed me that consistency beats waiting for inspiration.
To beat procrastination, I started setting tiny deadlines. Not perfect, just progress. I didn’t need to feel ready. I just needed to start. And like Jimmy, I learned to use creativity to find solutions instead of excuses.
Takeaway: Progress over perfection. Just take the next step.
Ted Lasso (Apple TV+)
Ted is the kind of guy who walks into chaos and chooses kindness. His optimism isn’t naive, it’s powerful. He believes in people until they believe in themselves.
Watching Ted deal with pressure and expectations, all while staying true to his values, gave me a new kind of motivation. Beating procrastination, for me, meant being kinder to myself. I stopped calling myself lazy. I started celebrating tiny wins.
This shift in attitude made a bigger difference than I expected. I no longer dreaded tasks. I approached them with curiosity, not shame. And when I slipped up, I bounced back faster because I wasn’t mentally beating myself up anymore.
Takeaway: Self-compassion fuels consistency.
Breaking Bad (Netflix)
Walter White’s transformation is extreme, but it highlights something real: change is possible at any point in life.
While I didn’t start cooking meth (thankfully), I did realize that excuses were holding me back. Walt broke his comfort zone because he had to. I didn’t have that kind of pressure, but I could create urgency by setting real consequences.
That’s when I stopped snoozing alarms. I made to-do lists. I created “mini-deadlines” with rewards and penalties. And I stuck to them. Beating procrastination became a personal rebellion against mediocrity.
Takeaway: You don’t need a crisis to create urgency.
The Midnight Gospel (Netflix)
This show is trippy, philosophical, and honestly kind of weird, but in a good way. Each episode dives into deep conversations about life, death, purpose, and mindfulness.
One episode made me pause and think: “What if I’m wasting my time because I’m afraid to live?”
That hit hard. I started meditating. Just 5 minutes a day. It helped quiet the noise in my head and gave me space to focus. That mental clarity helped me beat procrastination on a deeper level. I also started listening to more podcasts and books that encouraged inner work.
Takeaway: Stillness helps you hear what matters.
The Last Dance (Netflix)
Michael Jordan’s work ethic is legendary. This documentary pulls back the curtain on what it takes to be the best. Spoiler: it’s not talent, it’s relentless effort.
Watching MJ train, compete, and lead with intensity made me ask: Why am I treating my life like a side hustle?
Beating procrastination meant showing up every day, whether I felt like it or not. I turned off distractions. I scheduled time blocks. I trained my brain to treat my goals like they matter,because they do. I even stuck inspiring quotes around my room to remind myself of my “why.”
Takeaway: Show up like it matters, because it does.
How to Use These Shows to Beat Procrastination (Action Steps)
- Watch with intention. Don’t just binge for escape. Ask yourself: What can I learn from this?
- Note what resonates. Keep a journal of powerful moments, quotes, or characters that reflect your struggles.
- Turn inspiration into action. Apply one lesson from each show in your daily routine.
- Create rituals. Whether it’s meditation from Midnight Gospel or scheduling like Queen’s Gambit, build a habit around it.
- Share your insights. Talking about what moved you makes it more real and reinforces the mindset shift.
Did you know?
Some universities now use BoJack Horseman to discuss depression, self-sabotage, and mental health.
Final Thoughts: Entertainment Can Be Empowering
Look, I’m not saying watching TV will magically transform your life. But I am saying that when you’re intentional about what you watch, it can shift your mindset. These shows helped me reflect, refocus, and eventually beat procrastination.
It’s not about bingeing. It’s about being inspired to take action. So if you’re stuck in that endless loop of “I’ll do it later,” maybe give one of these a try. But this time, watch with purpose.
You might just find your motivation tucked inside an episode.
