Finish What You Start: Overcoming Procrastination & Self-Doubt with Alison Miller

Why do we struggle to follow through on big projects—even the ones that truly matter to us? In this episode of Beyond the Bestseller, I chat with Alison Miller, author of Finish Your Dissertation Once and for All, about overcoming procrastination, perfectionism, and self-doubt to finally complete the work that feels overwhelming.

Alison shares how she went from struggling with imposter syndrome in graduate school to becoming a coach dedicated to helping people get unstuck and achieve their goals. Whether you’re writing a book, launching a business, or working on a major creative project, her insights on time management, mindset shifts, and showing up for yourself will help you build momentum and finish what you start.

We dive into:

• Why discipline alone isn’t enough—and what actually works when tackling long-term projects.
• How to structure your time to make progress, even when motivation is low.
• The concept of “compatibility” and how to align your energy with the task at hand.
• The impact of perfectionism on productivity and how to move past it.
• How her online co-working community helps writers and academics stay focused and accountable.

Links & Resources Mentioned:

• Get Alison’s book, Finish Your Dissertation Once and for All – https://amzn.to/4aZScHC (affiliate link)
• Join The Academic Writer Space & try two weeks of co-working for free: https://www.theacademicwritersspace.com/
• Follow Alison on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube for more insights on productivity and mindset shifts

If this episode resonated with you, don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who needs a push to finally finish what they’ve started! For more resources to help you write and market your book, visit kellyschuknecht.com.