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- Destroying procrastination
Hello and happy Friday,
To kick off the year, some things around destroying procrastination in 2024:
One quote
From Ali Abdaal
‘Procrastination is an emotional problem.
We don’t put things off because we’re lazy, unmotivated, or lack discipline.
We put things off because it’s the easiest way to cope with the negative feelings caused by a daunting task.’
Six recommendations
Put your phone in another room for two 3-hour stints — one from 9-12, and another from 1-4
Download Self Control on your computer. Block distractions during these stints
Now name the fear — what is stopping you from starting?
Pretend you’re someone else, someone who doesn’t care about the task. Imagine you’re Zuckerberg or your sister or whoever. Get into a different headspace, and the anxiety will dissipate
Or even pretend the task is a joke. Seriously — imagine you’re simply doing it to have a laugh and that you don’t care. The same effect will apply
Finally, finish the task in a good mood, like you feel you could carry on. It’ll make coming back to it so much easier next time. This psychologically verified tactic is called ‘parking uphill’
One thought
Part of the cycle of procrastination is guilt. We feel bad about not starting, so we don’t start.
As soon as you feel this pattern emerge, break it.
There is nothing to feel guilty about.
Everyone on Earth procrastinates.
One image
It took Da Vinci 16 years to complete the Mona Lisa.
He kept coming back to it and tweaking.
Remember: procrastinators can still be brilliantly — exceptionally! — successful.
And finally, One Last Thing:
Notice the fear.
Name the fear.
Squash the fear.
Forget the fear.
Begin.
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Before I go, check out this episode of Unboxed (with my amazing co-founder Sam Uwins) and subscribe for more.
You can also share this issue of One Last Thing.
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Speak in a week,
Jordan