Apr 26, 2024
This episode is all about
sneaky procrastination!
Because I think all of us in
some ways trick ourselves into thinking we are doing the
thing- that thing you want to do or need to do - the hard thing
that will bring you growth in the way you want - whatever
that thing is for you right now.
And instead of actually
doing the thing - we do a whole host of things like - make
lists, we say we are planning, we talk about it, we do
endless research on it OR we avoid it completely and go
refold drawers or something.
I am going to read
you the best short article I’ve read on the topic and
we’re going to unpack it so you can apply it to your
life in real time.
Why do we let ourselves get
distracted or procrastinate when something feels hard
or uncomfortable?
What are we doing to
trick ourselves to think we are working on it when actually we
just aren’t doing the thing?
I read this article by Strangest Loop
called
things that aren't doing the
thing
Here it is:
Preparing to do the thing isn't doing the
thing.
Scheduling time to do the thing isn't doing
the thing.
Making a to-do list for the thing isn't doing
the thing.
Telling people you're going to do the thing
isn't doing the thing.
Messaging friends who may or may not be doing
the thing isn't doing the thing.
Writing a banger tweet about how you're going
to do the thing isn't doing the thing.
Hating on yourself for not doing the thing
isn't doing the thing. Hating on other people who have done the
thing isn't doing the thing. Hating on the obstacles in the way of
doing the thing isn't doing the thing.
Fantasizing about all of the adoration you'll
receive once you do the thing isn't doing the
thing.
Reading about how to do the thing isn't doing
the thing. Reading about how other people did the thing isn't doing
the thing. Reading this essay isn't doing the
thing.
The only thing that is doing the thing is
doing the thing.
-------------------
You can dress it
up however you want
But the work just needs
doing
Ultimately - it’s hitting
play and recording the podcast or starting the blog or
lifting the weight or making the first healthy
meal.
We are motivated by the
avoidance of discomfort.
Figure out - what is the
discomfort?
Often times, have no idea what
the discomfort is - we are just avoiding
it.
If you have a hard email to
write, you might refold and entire set of drawers to
avoid doing the thing.
Or if you get to a
hard point in writing a book - when it gets hard - we
reach for our phone for distraction.
WHY
Because we are avoiding the
discomfort.
Ask- WHY am I avoiding
this?
Maybe you need more
research.
Don’t keep banging your
head.
When you become aware of the
discomfort - you make a plan to attack
it.
I’ve heard Steven Bartlette
say it in this way…
What is the psychological
discomfort I am avoiding right
now?
Write down - what is the
THING.
Unpack
it.
WHY it’s important to
force yourself to do the actual thing… because it’s the
only thing that matters in becoming the person you want to be or
reaching the goal you want to
achieve.
Thank you for listening!
Have an awesome day!
