How to never procrastinate ever again

Confession time

I used to be a chronic procrastinator.

I'd justify it by saying, "It's just how I work," and I believed that the pressure of looming deadlines fueled my productivity.

To some extent, science-supported this idea—the Yerkes-Dodson Law showed that stress and performance are positively correlated up to a certain point.

But I had two major issues:

1. I couldn't honestly assess if I was at the optimal stress level or had already crossed the line.

2. My reliance on procrastination meant I focused on urgent tasks, neglecting important long-term projects, which hindered my progress.

I eventually realized that procrastination was limiting my growth and potential. It was time to change my ways and create a system to combat it.

Before

Imagine a life filled with stress, rushing to meet deadlines, and constantly feeling like you're stuck, unable to make real progress on your long-term goals. This was me, unaware of the impact my chronic procrastination was having on my life.

After

Now, picture a transformed version of yourself. You've learned to harness the right amount of stress and pressure, and you're making steady progress on your online business. You feel accomplished, proud of your actions, and excited about the future.

How I did it

Here's the Anti-Procrastination System that helped me, and it can help you too:

Step 1: Awareness

Become aware of your procrastination tendencies. Don't beat yourself up; it's a natural part of being human. Schedule daily assessments of your actions and identify the important long-term projects you need to tackle.

Ask yourself these questions:

• Am I proud of the actions I'm taking on these big projects?

• Am I doing what I should be doing?

With this awareness, you can move to the next step.

Step 2: Deconstruction

Large and intimidating projects often lead to procrastination. Break them down into smaller, manageable tasks. For instance, if your goal is to build an online business, the tasks could include setting up a website, researching your target audience, creating content, and marketing strategies.

This simple mental conversion, from overwhelming to achievable, will make a huge difference.

Step 3: Plan Creation

Develop a detailed plan to tackle each deconstructed task. Be specific about what you'll do and set a realistic timeframe for completion. Remember, it's better to be less ambitious on the micro-scale and celebrate easy wins that keep you motivated.

Use tools like Notion to create a project document to track your progress effectively.

Step 4: Stake Creation

This step is crucial but often overlooked. Create stakes to drive better outcomes for yourself. Some ideas include:

• Making a public declaration of your intentions so you're less likely to flake.

• Using social pressure by committing to meet a friend and work together on the initial task.

• Setting up rewards for completing tasks or penalties for not doing so.

Turning your projects into "games" with mental incentives can be surprisingly effective.

Step 5: Action

Taking action is often the hardest part, especially the initial movement. Remember Newton's First Law of Motion: A body in motion tends to stay in motion. Just start moving!

To get started, you can:

• Plan a sync session with a friend to kickstart your progress.

• Reward yourself for the initial movement.

• Commit to a short sprint followed by a well-deserved break.

The key is to build momentum with quick wins, leading to more significant achievements over time.

Now, envision yourself diligently following this Anti-Procrastination System. You're on top of your tasks, making consistent progress on your online business. Each small victory adds up, and you feel empowered by your newfound ability to overcome procrastination.

Conclusion

In summary, the Anti-Procrastination System can transform your life and business. Follow these steps:

1. Be aware of your procrastination tendencies.

2. Deconstruct big projects into smaller tasks.

3. Create a detailed plan to tackle each task.

4. Use stakes to turn your work into a game.

5. Take action, start moving, and keep the momentum going.

This system is dynamic and iterative, so continuously assess and adjust your plan as you progress. Don't expect perfection, but embrace this powerful tool to conquer procrastination and achieve your online business goals. I guarantee you'll see a positive impact in your life!

Author's Note

I used to write my newsletters last minute, a clear example of my procrastination.

But this time, I applied the Anti-Procrastination System to tackle it head-on.

I planned, deconstructed, and took action step by step. Now, it's a Monday afternoon, and I'm heading to the club to enjoy a well-deserved break after completing this newsletter as planned.

Remember, if I can do it, so can you! Give it a try and share your transformation with me—I'd love to hear about your success!

In the upcoming editions of The Rationalist Chronicle, we'll explore more strategies and insights to optimise different aspects of our lives.

From lifestyle design to goal setting, we'll delve into topics that empower us to lead fulfilling, high-performance lives.

Thank you for joining me on this adventure.

Until next time, stay obsessed and keep striving for greatness!

Best regards,

Writer and Lifestyle designer

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