Have you ever been in bed and thought to yourself; “I should really get up”. But you don’t, not for another hour or so. This attitude seems very non-detrimental as you’re just sitting in bed for a few more minutes at first glance but what if I told you it is by far the biggest issue in your productivity. Here’s a few ways I stopped procrastinating with simple methods that anyone can implement;

The 2 Minute Rule

Have you ever seen something that can be done quickly but you think “I’ll do that later”. Let’s stop kidding and realise that task you were meant to do later you still have yet to do. That plate is still on your desk, that laundry still hasn’t been hang up and those plants still need to be watered.

This rule implements a small thing that will make you less lazy and feel more energised. If the task takes less than 2 minutes, do it right now. It doesn’t matter if you are in the middle of something, do it now to save yourself doing it later.

The best example of this for me was rinsing the dishes I used right after using them, after an hour of being exposed to air they start drying and then you not rinsing something for 20 seconds has turned into a 2 minute scrub that you regret as you wash dishes for 30 minutes instead of 5.

The To-Do List

I was always the type of person to say “I’ll think about it” or “I’ll look into it later” but then I’d forget, worst thing is even if I’d remember I’d just say continue delaying it.

This is a poor habit which has such a simple solution. On your phone’s home screen create a widget leading to a note on your phone and put anything that you have to do on there, simplify it so it always is about 1 or 2 words. I was recently recommended to buy new glasses from this online retailer as my ones are falling apart, initially I was hesitant and was going to just put it off, however I added it to my notes and when I looked at my phone in the evening I checked them out and they turned out to be an amazing alternative. I also use this when I run out of a certain thing at home so I don’t forget to buy them.

The Catch-up Game

Have you ever worked on a project and realised that you have abandoned it again? Whether this was a social media project, a software engineering project or just going to the gym. There is a intricate way to make yourself more opted to do it, this involves getting one of your buddies with similar goals (going gym twice a week, posting once a day etc) and scheduling a call for the evening on a specific day. You will use this day to check up on one and another to make sure you are doing your projects.

The Pareto Principle

Pareto’s Principle refers to the idea that 20% of your actions are responsible for 80% of your results. This is by far the most important thing when it comes to discipline.

If you do stuff when you feel like it, you will do it for 5 days, get bored a little bit and then stop for what you say to yourself will be a short one-day break, however you won’t start again until a month has passed where you will deem it “Too late”.

Now, if you do a habit for 5 days, really feel like you don’t want to do something but you still do it you will continue until some extraneous force stops you. This will make you continue for at least 100% longer if not indefinitely. To make the biggest impact you cannot be going off of whether you “feel” like doing something, you should do it regardless all whilst looking forward for what this will help you achieve.

TL;DR

All in all, it is your life and you can decide how you will proceed. However, if you want to stay disciplined and productive for at least 100% longer you might want to incorporate the below points into your life;

• If something takes less than 2 minutes, do it instantly.
• Put a to-do list on your phone’s home page and add to it anytime you are to later do something.
• Set up weekly meetings with a friend to see if both of you are on track to complete your goals.
• The most important days are the ones where you just don’t feel like it.

Yours Truly,

Szymon