Nip procrastination before it happens.
It's a week into September, and you need to doing all you can to start this season on the right foot. My new article on Reddit will teach you how.
It’s early September.
You’ve been given a clean slate. The deadlines are still comfortably ahead—but that doesn’t mean it’s okay to slack off.
No. Time now to get focused and disciplined. Time to get ahead on your projects or classes—or at least stay on course with a consistent pace of work.
...and yet...
Here I am with my crystal ball, observing you slip-up, get distracted time and time again, and ultimately fail at preventing another season devolve into procrastination, under-achievement and cramming.
This is how it’ll go—if the process hasn't started already .
You’ll start your next work session with a firm “plan” to get XYZ done—the beginning steps of your long-term projects. You’re just going to do it. Like a emotionless robot: "plan" the work, work the "plan".
Write these words and symbols there. Insert numbers in these cells there. Hit save. Repeat.
But that won’t work. You’ll get sidetracked with less important but urgent work. You’ll browse r/ productivity for a better note taking app. Or a co-worker will commandeer you to help them troubleshoot their issues.
Eventually you’ll find yourself on YouTube or whatever and your day will be mostly wasted.
You'll coast by like this, until November, when the vice of deadlines will have tightened and it’ll be time to really get to work. You’ll sit down with all the grit and resolve and determination you can muster.
I’m going to sit here and work non-stop until this shit is finished. Playtime is over. Time to get serious.
But then you'll get hit with a wall of resistance; that Ugh, I don’t feel like it sensation. With the hope that all you need is a little time for it to fade, you'll open up YouTube to kill a bit of time… and down the algorithm's rabbit hole you'll go.
It’s only when you’ll have the exact precise amount of time left to get it done, that you’ll start.
It will all get done—after all, you’re a procrastinator, not a careless slacker—and, as you head into the holiday period, you’ll once again chastise yourself for repeating the same damn patterns.
Merry effing Christmas.
….
So that’s the problem aspect of my article. I wanted to keep this email short, so the solution bit is on Reddit. Go here to read it, and if you’re inclined, leave an upvote or comment. It really helps with it reaching others who might find it useful.
While I have your attention, I’ll go ahead and mention that we’re starting another round of the free Group Accountibility Program on Discord.
If you’re serious about getting this season/semester on the right foot, you need to be joining this thing. Here’s what our past registrants have said about their progress:
Completely changed my life. It's actually kind of mind-blowing to think it's only been a month. A month ago I was struggling with procrastination and addiction. I was actively aware that the things I was doing were detrimental to my goals but it was like I didn't care, I didn't have any discipline at all.
Now here I am being so productive I'm scheduling my days down to half an hour and can really see my goals becoming more obtainable by the day. I've been through some shit this past month but it's nice to finally be on the other side with insanely positive changes. I sincerely thank Simon and Suket (the admin) for setting this up. If anyone is on the edge about this group, feel free to PM me, and ill tell you my experience more specifically.
Dylan T.
I have never been so sure that I am on the right path with the Habit Reframe method. I found this method by literally going to the r/getdisciplined wiki and going through all the featured/recommended programs. I was desperate, I had tried so much - unsuccessfully.
I feel like my life has changed for the better already. Self compassion has been a game changer for me. I was carrying so much baggage from past failures, from underachieving. It's so frustrating when you really WANT to do better, but can't seem to. It's even worse when people you love start seeing you as lazy, unmotivated, as a loser who cant be bothered with making an effort. It's been tough. I honestly believed that there was something broken inside me.
I hope you know that you are saving people's lives out here. Thank you for what you do. Reading your articles/reddit posts and watching your videos, especially the carefulness video is so emotional for me, because I struggle with exactly the same things. Thanks for being open about your struggles, it must have been a difficult choice.
I am working on my processes. I am forgiving myself every day. I have belief in myself for the first time in forever. I am being kind and patient with myself.
And it's all thanks to the habit reframe method, and the hard work you are doing to reach help others
I hope that one day I will be in a position to positively impact those around me
Thanks.
Arnold M.
I am proud of my mental health progress of being able to love myself more and be more forgiving. I have never been able to talk to myself as a close friend. I used to only reprimand myself. But now, I am finally able to give myself the time off when I need, which I am very proud of.
My biggest vice was my phone. My relationship with my phone changed in the sense where I do not feel like I am held captive of it as much as last time. I am now able to spend less time on my phone without feeling lost.
Kels M.
Be well,
Simon ㋛