How To Stop Procrastination and Get Work Done

If you’re on a quest to supercharge your productivity, enhance your focus, stop procrastination, all while keeping your mental well-being and happiness intact, you’re in for a treat. Darius Foroux‘s book, “Do It Today,” is a goldmine of practical wisdom that’ll inspire you to seize the day and make the most of your time. Let’s get started!

Key Idea No. 1: How to Stop Procrastination

Procrastination can be a constant battle for many of us. We often find ourselves delaying important decisions, hitting the snooze button, or avoiding tasks that need to be completed.

Blaming external factors for our lack of productivity is a common escape route. We may point fingers at a slow computer, a noisy office environment, constant interruptions, or a shortage of time. But in truth, the battle against procrastination is primarily an internal one.

In the journey of building a fulfilling life, there are no magic shortcuts, no quick fixes, and no tech gadgets that can do it for you. It’s all about creating a system that empowers you to shape your life, career, and business. What’s crucial is taking action now, not putting it off until later. You’ve got the power to stop procrastination and lead a more meaningful and productive life.

Picture this: You’re setting out on a new adventure, maybe starting a business or changing your career. A couple of years go by, and you start feeling restless, craving more opportunities. You dabble in freelancing, but when it comes to the tough, boring tasks that are vital for growth, you find yourself avoiding them. Instead, you opt for a job that allows you to escape these challenging responsibilities.

This aversion to hard work is at the heart of procrastination. We know what needs to be done, but we choose to put it off, trading it for distractions like reading the latest news, scrolling through social media, or indulging in online shopping.

Overcoming procrastination and boosting productivity involves the development of a system that fosters a productive, content, and purposeful life. To achieve this, focus on strengthening your mental resilience and self-reliance through practices like studying philosophies such as Stoicism and Pragmatism, as well as cultivating mindfulness to gain control over your thoughts. Prioritize physical fitness to maintain focus, energy, and confidence, emphasizing that a strong body supports a strong mind. Establish a daily routine consisting of habits like journaling, reading, setting priorities, filtering out irrelevant information, and maintaining social connections. Keep your expectations realistic and concentrate on finding joy in each day. When confronted with challenging tasks, break them down into manageable steps rather than waiting for the “perfect” day, enabling you to commence work on achievable tasks today.

Key Idea No. 2: Why People Procrastinate

Procrastination is a common struggle that many of us face at some point in our lives. We find ourselves constantly delaying tasks and putting off important responsibilities. While the reasons behind procrastination can be complex and multifaceted, there is a simple yet powerful solution that often goes overlooked: doing meaningful work.

It’s easy to believe that procrastination is solely a result of poor time management or a lack of effective productivity hacks. We may try various systems and methods in the hope that they will miraculously turn us into productivity machines. However, these solutions often fall short of addressing the root cause of procrastination.

The truth is that the most effective way to stop procrastination is by engaging in work that resonates with our passions. When we are genuinely passionate about what we do, procrastination becomes less of an issue. This realization holds the key to unlocking our true potential and productivity.

If you often find yourself procrastinating, it may be time to assess your level of passion for your work. If you lack enthusiasm and genuine interest in what you’re doing, it becomes much more challenging to stay motivated and focused. In such cases, no productivity hack or time-management system will provide a lasting solution.

Key Idea No 3: How to Focus

Do you struggle with maintaining focus and find yourself easily distracted by various interruptions and temptations? You’re not alone in this challenge. Maintaining focus on a single task can be one of the most challenging aspects of work and productivity. It’s so easy to get sidetracked by the constant stream of distractions in our modern lives, but it’s time to take control. Here’s what you can do:

• Eliminate Unnecessary Distractions: To enhance your focus and minimize distractions in your life, start by identifying the things that disrupt your concentration, whether it’s social media, superfluous projects, or well-intentioned suggestions from others. Next, prioritize your tasks and activities by assessing which ones align with your core goals and values, emphasizing what genuinely matters and aligns with your long-term vision. To further sharpen your focus, eliminate or delegate tasks and commitments that don’t support your objectives, which may involve politely declining additional projects or unsubscribing from distracting email lists. By simplifying your life and reducing mental clutter, you’ll create a conducive environment for concentration, making it easier to focus on what truly matters. The less complexity in your life, the clearer and more productive your focus will be.
• Boost Serotonin for Better Focus: Serotonin significantly influences our well-being and focus. Low serotonin levels can lead to yielding to short-term pleasures and losing sight of long-term goals. To enhance your serotonin levels, consider incorporating regular exercise into your daily routine, as it’s known to boost serotonin production, ultimately improving your mood and focus. Additionally, engaging in positive reflection by reminiscing about past positive life events can stimulate serotonin production in the brain’s attention control center. Elevating your serotonin levels can result in improved focus and the ability to act on long-term plans, making it a valuable natural mood enhancer with the potential to significantly enhance your productivity.

Key Idea No. 4: Habits of Unproductive People

In a world full of images showcasing super successful, healthy, and wealthy individuals, it’s easy to feel like you need to be on the move all the time. But let’s face it, nobody can keep up that level of productivity, and a big part of being productive is about ditching those unproductive habits. So, here’s a list of ten common unproductive habits to steer clear of:

• Working Too Much: Working non-stop might seem like the way to go, but it often leads to burnout and decreased efficiency. Set some boundaries, take regular breaks, and remember it’s about quality, not quantity.
• Worrying Too Much: Worrying excessively is not only unproductive, but it’s also super stressful. Focus on what you can control, try out mindfulness techniques, and find ways to manage your worries, like meditation or writing in a journal.
• Being Stubborn: Stubbornness can put a dent in your personal and professional relationships. Learn to listen to others, be open to different viewpoints, and remember, you don’t have to be the best at everything.
• Checking Things Constantly: Scrolling through social media, checking your email every two minutes, or staying glued to the news can gobble up your time. Limit how often you check these things and maybe consider deleting some distracting apps from your phone.
• Escaping Life: Avoiding problems or trying to escape through things like alcohol or vacations won’t fix your issues. Face problems head-on, dig into their root causes, and work towards finding real solutions to build a fulfilling life.
• Saying Yes: It’s essential to learn to say no to commitments and requests that don’t match your priorities. By doing this, you’ll regain control of your time and get to focus on what truly matters to you.
• Not Writing Things Down: Relying solely on your memory is pretty inefficient. Start making a habit of jotting down your thoughts, ideas, tasks, and goals. It’ll free up mental space for creative problem-solving and help you stay organized.
• Being Hard on Yourself: Small victories and accomplishments deserve celebration. Recognize that simply making it through the day is an achievement in itself. Be kind to yourself and give credit where it’s due.
• Neglecting Your Personal Education: Learning should never stop. Invest in yourself by reading books, taking courses, and picking up new skills. Continuous learning not only boosts your productivity but also enriches your life.
• Hating Rules: While you might want to rebel against rules, creating your own set of guidelines can be pretty empowering. Craft rules that match your values and goals, and use them to structure your day and keep your productivity on track.

Remember, change takes time and effort. Start by identifying the unproductive habits you want to address and take small, actionable steps to eliminate or reduce them. Over time, you’ll find yourself becoming more productive and living a more fulfilling life. Embrace the journey of self-improvement and enjoy the benefits of a more balanced and efficient lifestyle.

Key Idea No. 5: Thirty Minute Routine

Improving your daily productivity and ensuring a good night’s sleep are two critical aspects of a well-balanced and fulfilling life. Many of us face the challenge of winding down after a busy day and preparing ourselves for rest. You can use a 30-minute routine that can help you stop procrastination, achieve better sleep and heightened productivity.

• Minutes 0 to 10: Taking the first 10 minutes of your evening to journal about your day can have a significant impact. In just a few sentences, jot down what you accomplished, what you learned, and any noteworthy events. This exercise helps you remember your daily activities and allows you to review your progress.
• Minutes 10 to 20: Dedicate the next 10 minutes to reviewing your calendar for the upcoming day. Look for crucial meetings, deadlines, tasks, and other commitments. This step is essential for reducing stress and anxiety since many worries stem from unsolved problems. By setting specific times to tackle tasks, you can put your mind at ease and save problem-solving for when you’re mentally refreshed in the morning.
• Minutes 20 to 25: Preparing your outfit may sound superficial, but it serves to reduce decision fatigue. Your brain is like a muscle and can tire after making too many decisions. By selecting your outfit the night before, you conserve your mental energy for more critical choices during the day, thereby enhancing your overall productivity.
• Minutes 25 to 30: Visualizing your day ahead is a powerful tool for boosting productivity. Having reviewed your calendar, you can now imagine your day with precision. By visualizing your day the night before, you can avoid the common temptation to hit the snooze button in the morning, as you’ll already have a clear plan in mind.

Implementing this 30-minute evening ritual can significantly reduce stress and anxiety, improve the quality of your sleep, and help you wake up with a clear sense of purpose and focus. The minimal time investment in the evening yields substantial returns in terms of a more productive and fulfilling life.

Key Idea No. 6: Disconnect from the Technology

In today’s fast-paced digital world, smartphones have seamlessly woven themselves into the fabric of our daily lives. We rely on them for communication, entertainment, and a treasure trove of information. It’s undeniable; these devices have become more than mere gadgets – they’re our constant companions. Yet, have you ever stopped to consider just how deeply intertwined they are with our existence? The reality is, we’ve become so deeply entrenched in the digital realm that it’s affecting our attention spans and overall well-being.

Recent studies have shown that many individuals rate their smartphones as equally or even more important than their close friends or family members. This raises some concerning questions about the impact of smartphones on our lives.

The truth is, we’re often not using technology; it’s using us. From addictive apps and games to endless video streaming and captivating articles, every element is meticulously designed to grab and keep our attention, often without us even noticing. The auto-play feature on platforms like Netflix and those irresistible suggestions on YouTube exemplify how technology entraps us in a perpetual cycle of consumption.

Research repeatedly underscores the harmful impact of these continuous distractions. They contribute to higher stress levels, increased frustration, a perpetual sense of urgency, and wasted effort. It’s evident that we need a change in how we engage with technology to reclaim our focus and productivity.

So, how can you break free from the digital trap and stop procrastination? The answer lies in a simple yet powerful concept: disconnect from the internet. Just as an excess of anything can be detrimental, the same holds true for the internet. If you find it challenging to cut back on your internet usage, here are some practical steps you can take to gradually regain control:

1. Turn Off Unnecessary Notifications: Begin by silencing non-essential notifications on your smartphone. Those constant pings and alerts divert your attention from the task at hand and can lead to decreased productivity.
2. Control Your App Usage: Streamline the number of apps on your phone. Remove those that are unnecessary, especially those offering news or updates readily available through other means. By keeping only essential apps, you’ll reduce the temptation to incessantly check your phone.
3. Prioritize Meaningful Content: Utilize your smartphone for purposes that enrich your knowledge and add value to your life. Whether it’s reading articles from reputable sources, listening to insightful podcasts, delving into books, or watching educational videos, focus on content that aligns with your goals and interests.
4. Reduce Immediate Responses: Break the habit of instantly responding to every notification. Set boundaries by not feeling compelled to reply immediately. This will empower you to regain control over your device and your attention.

By disconnecting, you’ll free up precious time and be better equipped to stop procrastination and concentrate on what truly matters. You’ll accomplish more, experience fewer distractions, and create more moments for the things that bring happiness and fulfillment.

Ultimately, the internet is a tool, a means to an end, and it should not become the end itself. As you reflect on your life, years from now, it’s unlikely that you’ll cherish the hours spent on mindless internet surfing. Instead, you’ll fondly remember the moments spent with loved ones, the adventures you embarked on, or the sense of achievement from your work.

Key Idea No. 7: Perfectionism Destroys Productivity

Perfectionism can be a double-edged sword, often mistaken for a pursuit of excellence but with hidden costs. If you frequently worry about your work, fear mistakes, or find it challenging to admit imperfections, you may be dealing with perfectionist tendencies. This mindset can lead to procrastination, anxiety, and low self-esteem, hindering your personal and professional growth.

Perfectionists exhibit certain behaviors, such as always waiting for the “perfect” moment, striving to avoid mistakes at all costs, and endlessly extending deadlines. But in the grand scheme of life and work, it’s not about waiting for perfection; it’s about achieving results. Perfectionism can delay these results and have detrimental effects on mental health.

Perfectionism manifests in two primary ways:

• Never Starting: Self-doubt can paralyze you, making you believe you can’t achieve your goals, resulting in never starting.
• Setting High Standards: You begin but set goals so high that you consistently fall short of your own expectations.

Both scenarios can lead to anxiety, worry, and depression, which are undesirable outcomes. Perfectionism, in reality, is a form of procrastination, piling up problems and creating a sense of helplessness.

However, it’s essential to note that not all aspects of perfectionism are negative. Some studies suggest that it can be related to greater achievement when balanced appropriately. The key is to find a healthy equilibrium between striving for excellence and avoiding procrastination.

Here’s how to strike a balance between perfectionism and a more relaxed approach:

1. Do Great Work Like a Perfectionist: Put in your best effort, ensuring that you produce high-quality work.
2. Don’t Overwhelm Yourself with Goals: Avoid setting impossibly high standards that lead to self-criticism.
3. Embrace Resourcefulness: Instead of solely relying on goals, build effective systems that support your efforts. When setbacks occur, use problem-solving skills to find solutions.
4. Change Your Perspective: Avoid using extreme statements like “This is the worst thing ever” or “I don’t care.” Instead, adopt a positive mindset with statements like “I’ve got this.”

Key Idea No. 8: Leave on Time

In many workplaces, there is a prevailing culture that values the perception of hard work over actual results. This means that the person who spends the most time in the office is often perceived as the hardest worker. While this perception may hold some truth, it’s not what truly matters. We all know that the ultimate measure of productivity is the results we deliver. Working excessively long hours doesn’t necessarily equate to being more productive.

Extensive research shows that overworking can lead to counterproductive outcomes. It contributes to stress, leading to issues like depression, sleep problems, memory impairment, and even heart disease. The lesson here is clear:

“Leave on time.”

We must protect ourselves from the dangers of overworking. And the solution is simple: just leave the office on time. Regardless of whether you adore your job or not, when it’s time to head home, do so. No one truly needs you to be at the office round the clock. It’s often our ego that drives us to stay late. But let’s be honest – the office will still be there tomorrow, your colleagues will be fine, and your company won’t collapse.

The essence of work is achieving results, and if you can’t do that within a reasonable 6-8 hours a day, it’s a sign that something needs to change. Instead of overtime, consider investing your time in self-improvement, like reading books on personal effectiveness or getting productivity training.

However, the journey doesn’t end at the office door. It’s crucial not to carry your work home. Mixing work and personal life defeats the purpose. Nobody finds it impressive when you’re closing deals on the phone during dinner, and you’re not doing yourself any favors by constantly thinking about work at home.

Take some time to unwind. Enjoy your favorite activities, whether it’s playing video games, cooking dinner for your loved ones, or taking a leisurely walk with your kids. The key to a happy life is within your control, as Marcus Aurelius once said, “Very little is needed to make a happy life; it is all within yourself, in your way of thinking.”

I hope you’ve found the insights from “Do It Today” helpful, but if you’re eager to explore alternative perspectives on procrastination thinking, I encourage you to delve into the best-selling book, “Who Not How,” by Dan Sullivan and Dr. Benjamin Hardy, where they shed light on how procrastination can be a beneficial tool for achieving your goals.

Additionally, if you’re grappling with negative thoughts and wish to put a stop to that constant overthinking, be sure to explore “Don’t Believe Everything You Think.“