Humans have the capacity to envision complex outcomes. We dream of traveling to the stars. We plan for unknowable futures. We strive for god-like powers. And often, fail to fold the laundry when it comes out of the dryer.
For me, having good ideas is easy. Implementing them is hard.
When I was younger I had a lazy streak. I would watch T.V. for hours. If that wasn't an option I would sit in my room and listen to music. I would do just about anything- or nothing at all- to avoid work. Even the things I wanted to do, like learning to play guitar, would often be put off for no apparent reason.
Though I worked hard to break that habit, procrastination can still set in. I’m convinced I could be far more productive than I am. But I’ve learned a lot about myself, and that’s provided me with some tools for progress. This is the key. Learning about yourself. Because what works for some, isn't likely to work for all. I've had to develop my own methods for setting goals and avoiding the pitfalls of procrastination.
If you struggle as I have, perhaps these tips can help. At the very least, I hope to show you that there is no "one way" to make progress on your plans. Know thyself.
Then, discover your methods.
First, Forgive.
The first “tool” to get over my procrastination is to just cut myself some slack. I personally don’t enjoy using guilt as a motivator. Even with myself. Guilt and shame feel crappy.
I’m pretty sure we’ve evolved to try to conserve energy. If you have water, food, shelter, and companionship, there’s not a big biological emergency to go do anything. Those big long-term plans aren’t usually enough to keep you going when the going gets mundane. Sometimes life is tough, but often that’s not what derails us. Sometimes it’s just freaking boring. Work can be monotonous, and work takes energy. If you’ve found yourself putting off the work, give yourself a break - emotionally speaking. No need to feel guilty. Just get moving.
Smooth it out.
Since I recognize this default mode of energy conservation, I try to reduce the friction between what I’m doing and the work I “should” be doing. Have the tools ready for a task readily available. If you’re putting off guitar practice, don’t keep the guitar in a case under the bed. Keep it propped up on the couch. If you have paperwork to do, don’t keep it in a drawer. Hell, if you have to- tape it to your T.V.
Make some space- both physical, mental, and schedule-wise that is only open for the task you’ve been putting off. Reduce the “prep” time as much as possible. Often preparing to do something is just a form of procrastination to avoid actually doing the thing. Getting ready to get ready to get ready...
Just go.
If you’re feeling uninspired, just remember; feelings follow actions. Sometimes when the music stops, you just have to dance until you begin to hear it again. I wrote an article about this back when I was in the thick of my divorce, sleeping in a hammock slung in an attic, showering in gyms.
Fake-it-till-you-make-it is best applied to your own emotional state. Act like you’re motivated by just starting in on the task, and often the motivation to do it will rise along with your activity. Set a timer and hit the start button. Sometimes that’s like a magic switch that gets me moving. Once I’m going, then I feel like going.
Keep your eye on the habit- not the goal.
We have a vision board in our home. We have goals to get married this year, to get out of debt, to build a skoolie and live in it for a while...we have many more. This vision board serves as a reminder to us of what we’re working for. But our focus is not on accomplishing any one of these things. Our focus is on living the type of life we want to live. One that will bring these goals to fruition.
Yes, it feels great when we pay off a debt. We high-five. But real congratulations happen when we work on the habits and processes that get us closer to the vision. Paying off a debt is just a milestone that shows us we’re heading in the right direction. The real victory is in the work earning the money, the budgeting that we spend time on, and the opportunities we take to save money. We keep our focus on the habits, processes, and practices that we think will help us be the type of people who are debt free.
We’re not waiting to be financially successful until we are debt free. We are financially successful every time we cook at home, take on extra work, pay into our planned budget.
I’m not waiting to be a writer until I publish my book. I’m a writer every day that I sit down and write.
It’s easy to congratulate the weightlifter as they are presented with a medal on a podium. But that’s not the moment they won. They were winning that all along the months and years of training. It was a series of many, many wins. Every day the athlete takes the time to show up in the gym, put on the gear, and pick up the barbell- that’s a win. If we recognize these practices as the wins that they are, it’s easier to live in a sense of victory. It’s easier to want to pick up the pen, or the barbell, or the extra shift.
Be willing to let go of the outcomes. The results will come on their own terms. Most of the time you can’t control results, but you can control your own efforts. So make your work the goal and know that every step is a win. Start celebrating the work you do and the work you have to do will be a lot more enticing.
Perfect.
I should tell you- every time I write an article on procrastination, it’s because I was probably procrastinating. I can waste time like a pro. It can get pretty frustrating. I’m busy and booked most of the week, and I’m eager for my writing days. Then, when the writing day comes, I’m doing housework, Instagram, emails, podcasts...hours go by. What the hell, man?
Forgive. Smooth it out. Set a timer and go. Congratulations! We did something. Imperfect progress is the only kind I know of.
I'm publishing a book in February. In it, I discuss my life transformation over the past two years and the habits that have set me up for the happiest year of my life.
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My name is Cody Limbaugh. If you liked this, you might also like my other content.
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Live All Your Life is a project of discovery. My aim is to live with intention, to get the most out of life, and to share my discoveries with you.
Providing value is important to me, so I often write about techniques that I've found to work well in my life.
I think having rich experiences is a critical component of living well, so I often share my travels.
It's important to me to develop a deep sense of curiosity and relentless personal development, so I also write about learning and various topics and skills that I'm currently working on.
I've been a fitness coach for the past 13 years. I now write for three fitness sites.
I believe that authenticity is critical to living a good life, so I strive to rise above cultural norms and expectations.
