27
January
2023
|
09:34
Europe/Amsterdam

Yesterday you said tomorrow

Well, today is tomorrow, and now is the time to get into action

Let’s talk about procrastination. It sucks. Big time. From time to time, I find myself in a paralyzed and crippled state, not doing anything. From the daily grinding of unloading the dishwasher to delaying the dreadful administration. Recognizable?

Yesterday you said, ‘I’ll do it tomorrow’. Well, today is tomorrow, and now is the time to get into action. 

The two things that got me into gear

  • 5-4-3-2-1-GO! to launch yourself
  • Happy list, not as swishy as it sounds

 

Why it matters

Two main reasons why procrastination sucks.

First. It just sucks. That nagging feeling that you should could do something today, and you didn’t do it. You didn’t even make an attempt. You just bluntly shoved it to ‘tomorrow’.

Second. Procrastination makes things bigger than they are. Half-assing the job as well, by the way.

Unloading that dishwasher literally takes me 1:55 minutes. Yes, I timed it. 

If I procrastinate, the task grows, and I feel it takes me at least five minutes or even more to complete. If I half-ass it and take out the stuff I need at the moment, the procrastination monster grows even bigger.

Knowing it takes me under two minutes, I do it instantly and get into action before I even can think about it. Job well done.

My two proven tips to eliminate procrastination.

 

5-4-3-2-1-GO!

Just do it. Get into action before your mind takes over. Based on research, it takes your brain five seconds to intervene and slow you down. Read all about this in the book ‘The 5 second rule’ by Mel Robbins. 

If you are a snoozer. Launch yourself out of your bed before you can even hit the snooze button. 5-4-3-2-1-GO!

If you dread the administration and you’ll think it takes forever. Sit down, get your shit together and start working. Before you can even think about it. Just start, and you’ll see how far you’ll get in ten minutes. Once you’ve started, probably you’ll finish it. 5-4-3-2-1-GO!

Hate your love for that morning run? Put your workout clothes ready, launch yourself from your bed into the gear, and step outside. I’ve found myself many mornings waking up outside in the icy cold, wondering how the f*ck I got myself there. 5-4-3-2-1-GO!

 

5second rule

 

Happy list

I know this sounds a bit cheezy. Believe me, it works.

Instead of the ‘to do’ list with the dreadful tasks you MUST complete by the end of the day, make a ‘happy list’. A list of what makes you happy once you complete that sh*t.

Maximum four to five items per day. If it’s more, it gets overwhelming. You’re not superwoman to do all in one day.

By shifting the perspective from ‘must do’ to ‘makes me happy once completed’, I notice it’s easier to get myself into gear. Double the reward, the happy ‘I f*cking did it’ feeling, and the crossing out of the item on the list.

 

Final thoughts

Procrastination sucks. And at the same time, don’t be too tough on yourself. 

Nothing wrong with not being super excited to do it. Nothing wrong with pushing some stuff forward to the next moment. A moment when apparently it will be urgent enough to get into action.

  

Fleur Willemijn van Beinum

Instead of the ‘to do’ list with the dreadful tasks you MUST complete by the end of the day, make a ‘happy list’. A list of what makes you happy once you complete that sh*t.

Fleur Willemijn van Beinum