The Procrastination Monster

“Your most persistent distractions will seem justified to you.” - James Clear

The diminishing time left in the day and the scale of the work collide at some point, and we’re forced to face reality and get to it. If we feel it has to get done today. 

If not, we still see time as abundant and can push The Big Important Thing off to the next day.

As approaching deadlines become more apparent, they get scary. We’re tied to the conveyor belt of time, pushing us into THE DEADLINE like a death contraption in an old James Bond movie.

It’s only in hindsight that the scary impending-doom buzz-saw turns out to be our best friend.

Time is linear, but our perception of it is non-linear. And since we accept perception as reality, our distorted sense of time puts us in a distorted reality. 

No wonder we have trouble consistently progressing over time. 

We don’t rate or value (or even respect) each moment equally. 

We have a fixed number of minutes in life, and each minute holds the same potential or opportunity. Yet we don’t perceive it that way. 

And as a result, we sabotage ourselves.

1. Plan your day ahead of time. Time block at what hour you will do each item on your agenda. Block your day in the objectivity of the evening before.
2. Know what your vulnerabilities are, what has derailed you lately. Make a Not-To-Do list alongside your To-Do list.
3. Clearly define priorities. Know what you’re working toward, and what real progression in your life means. 
4. Establish structure and deliberate routine to get freedom from the tyranny of your subconscious impulses.