Introduction
At this point, if everything is going well, you know how to organize your days and identify important tasks.
But there is still a major obstacle on the road: procrastination.
Putting off until tomorrow what you could do today.
Giving negative feedback to a coworker.
Writing a complex report.
Making an unpleasant call.
When a task pushes us out of our comfort zone, we suddenly find a thousand nicer things to do.
Scroll Instagram, clean the desk, reply to unimportant messages.
And that's normal.
Our brain looks for immediate gratification.
The quick dopamine hit.
Not long-term benefits.
Why we really procrastinate
We tend to think we procrastinate because we lack motivation.
In reality, it's often the opposite.
We procrastinate mainly for three reasons:
- the task is unpleasant
- the task is too complex
- the task is boring
And for each situation, there is a simple response.
Act before you feel motivated
Let's break a stubborn myth:
motivation does not come before action.
Action comes before motivation.
Waiting to feel motivated is the best excuse to do nothing.
On the other hand, starting often makes the pain almost instantly disappear.
A few simple examples:
- to go for a run, start with the first ten meters
- to write, write the first words
- to give difficult feedback, just send a message to schedule a meeting
- to call someone, press the "call" button
The hardest part isn't doing the task.
It's sitting down to start.
Reduce complexity with the ladder technique
When you face a complex task, your brain panics.
A line like "write a book" or "change jobs" on a to-do list is paralyzing.
That's why you need to cheat a little.
The solution is the ladder technique.
Instead of seeing the task like a wall, break it into small rungs.
Simple, actionable sub-tasks you can check off quickly.
That's exactly how the book The 25th Hour was written.
And how this program was built, video by video.
Sometimes you only need one rung.
Just the first one.
Update your resume instead of "find a new job."
Write a few lines about your dream living room instead of "renovate the house."
That first step becomes even more effective when it's tied to a fixed date.
Announcing a deadline mechanically increases your odds of taking action.
Create small wins early in the morning
You can also fight procrastination with immediate rewards.
A first small win creates momentum for the rest.
Make your bed.
Go for a short walk.
Play a bit of music.
Starting the day with a simple action sends a clear message:
we move forward.
On the other hand, snoozing again and again is starting your day by procrastinating.
Make painful tasks more pleasant
Some tasks just suck.
You have to do them anyway.
So you might as well make them more bearable.
Create a pleasant environment.
Make good coffee.
Put on music you like.
Change work location if possible.
Working in a group also helps a lot.
Even if everyone works on different topics, social pressure pushes you to stay focused.
A cafe, a library, a shared workspace is often enough to prevent distractions.
Don't add pain on top of pain
When a task is unpleasant, avoid making it even harder.
Struggling with your tools, searching for files, wasting time in useless menus adds frustration.
On the other hand, learning a few shortcuts or optimizing your environment saves time and energy.
It's the same principle as the two-minute rule: reduce friction so it's easier to start.
Procrastinating isn't always a problem
One last important point: stop feeling guilty.
Everyone procrastinates.
Even brilliant people.
People even say Leonardo da Vinci rarely finished his paintings.
And it didn't stop him from creating major work.
Sometimes procrastination also lets an idea mature.
To keep thinking about it unconsciously, as explained by the Zeigarnik effect mentioned in overuse your to-do list.
Conclusion
Fighting procrastination doesn't mean never delaying anything.
It means understanding why you're stuck and choosing the right strategy:
- act immediately
- break tasks down
- make effort more pleasant
It's an essential pillar of good work organization.
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