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got a question from one of you recently.
How do I stop procrastinating? I know the things I want to do but I cant seem to bring myself to do it.
I responded with an answer at the time but promised I would do more reading up and research on the subject.
Reflecting on the question, much later, I realized this is something I also struggle with in some way.
When you procrastinate, what you're doing is replacing the discipline to do less pleasurable things with the thrill that comes with doing something pleasurable instead
Sometimes, I find myself delaying a task till it's two days to deadline and then, I throw in late nights for two days to get it finished. Afterwards, I feel guilty for not doing my best on the task.
In fact, I just spent the last two hours dweedling away on some YouTube videos instead of focusing on finishing my post. The irony, right?
So who's the enemy here? Instant gratification.
The urge to binge all weekend on movies or sleep like your life depended on it. The urge to scroll through Instagram pictures rather than complete a pending task. The temptation to laze around even when you know you have an urgent task.
Yeah, that's the enemy.
and this enemy is not skin deep. It will take more than the routine advice to '
get more disciplined' to overpower it.
It runs much deeper to your sense of identity.
Do you tell yourself,
I'm not the kind of person that can resist distractions even when I have something really important to do?
then, Bingo!
If that's what you believe, that's who you are.
So, here's what to do. Start with telling yourself who you need to be to stop procrastinating. This is not a shallow motivational move. Nope, this is you changing your narrative.
Have you ever wondered why you find yourself crying when you watch an emotional scene in a movie? You know the movie is not real, no? Yet you cry. Lol
That's because your subconscious mind doesn't know the difference between what's real and what's not.
According to research, the brain makes files based on information it is given, usually through our senses but sometimes through our thoughts or words.
This means that what you imagine to be real is actually real as far as your brain is concerned. So, you have the power to tell your mind what you want to be real.
Once you correct/adjust your sense of identity, then you can focus on performance. This is where the rubber hits the road.
and the best way is to do this is to start small. Focus on completing small tasks consistently. In fact, make it so easy you can't say no.
For instance, tell yourself you can finish a task you need to complete and focus on doing that task for 15 mins or more (if you can handle it) a day.
Focus on the schedule and not a deadline
Each action you perform will be driven by the fundamental belief that it is possible
I love this quote by BJ Fogg.
If you plant the right seed in the right spot, it will grow without further coaxing. I believe this is the best metaphor for creating habits.
The “right seed” is the tiny behavior that you choose. The “right spot” is the sequencing — what it comes after. The “coaxing” part is amping up motivation, which I think has nothing to do with creating habits. In fact, focusing on motivation as the key to habits is exactly wrong.
Let me be more explicit: If you pick the right small behavior and sequence it right, then you won’t have to motivate yourself to have it grow. It will just happen naturally, like a good seed planted in a good spot.
—BJ Fogg
So, in summary, two simple steps;
Change your sense of identity
Start with completing small tasks that are really easy to complete
Once you start taking these two steps, you are well on your way to beating procrastination.
So, let me know. Are these steps practical enough for you to start today?
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