Punch Provrastination In the Face

Oh, great Ceasar’s ghost. Another blog about beating procrastination?

Why? For the love of all that is holy, why do you need another one? And don’t tell me you don’t, because you clicked on this one.

Do you know what reading this article is called? It’s called procrastinating.

I’m not going to tell you anything in this article you couldn’t figure out on your own, because beating procrastination is the easiest, simplest thing in the world.

Deep down, you know that’s true. Because deep down, you already know how to stop procrastinating.

Get to work. Now.

That’s it. That’s all you have to do.

Yes, I know you’ve read all those other articles about setting deadlines, building an inspiring work environment, creating triggers, and wearing your special hat.

But that’s just more procrastinating.

Let me share a brutal truth about procrastination.

Procrastination is on you

Procrastination is something you do to yourself. There are no obstacles, interruptions, or emergencies. Procrastination is the act of delay, postponement, and putting off work.

And no one is doing that to you. You are doing it to yourself.

This is good news, because it makes the solution simple.

Stop doing that.

Simple. Easy. You can do it now. Try it.

But I need to understand the psychology of my procrastination

No, you don’t. You just need to get to work. Trying to understand the psychology of your procrastination is just more procrastination.

Besides, you don’t need a therapist to tell you why you’re procrastinating. All you need is a little self-honesty. Maybe you’re lazy. Maybe you lack discipline. Maybe this just isn’t the work for you.

I can’t tell you why you procrastinate, only you can do that. But you have to take a good, hard, honest look at yourself and be true to whatever you know deep down inside.

If you’re lazy, get to work.

If you lack discipline, suck it up, Buttercup.

If this is the wrong work for you, find the right work and get off your duff.

There are dozens of things that could be behind your procrastination. I can’t tell you what it is. But I can tell you how to stop procrastinating.

Get to work. Now.

But I need a long-term solution

There is no long-term solution other than getting to work. What else would you do to beat procrastination tomorrow? Not get to work?

Tomorrow’s solution is the same as today’s. And it will be the same every day after that. The good news is that if you string enough days together where you dive in and get the work done, it will become easier.

You will build a habit of punching procrastination in the face. Eventually, procrastination will get tired of being punched in the face, and it will leave you alone.

But I need my special talisman

Why? Does it have magical powers? Do the spirits of dead geniuses hover around it, eager to inspire those who take possession of it?

What is it? A rabbit’s foot? Your “I’m A Genius” coffee mug? A dreamcatcher you bought on a spiritual pilgrimage to Taos?

I’ll tell you what it is. It’s an excuse. You don’t need the talisman. You need to take a hard look at why you want an excuse. Remember what I said about honest self-reflection? Right here, right now would be a good time.

But … But … But …

I know. It’s unfathomable that the solution could be this simple. But what other solution could there be? Paint the house?

The problem with all these articles about how to beat procrastination is that they’ve brainwashed people into thinking it’s difficult. It isn’t.

Get to work. Now.

That’s all you have to do.