HOW TO STOP PROCRASTINATING AND START ACTING | TIPS TO BE MORE PRODUCTIVE | ACHIEVE MORE BY DOING LESS
According to the psychologists, if you do not start something you think or arrange within seventy-two hours you`ll forget about it at all. Therefore, people say to never put off till tomorrow what you can do today!” In my opinion, delay is a twin sibling of laziness. Like in other chapters of the book we aren`t talking about people who postpone something rarely, but we are criticizing the people, who are accustomed to it.
I would like to retell a true story here. A girl (let`s call her Ann) loved reading very much even though she was talented at writing compositions at school and the teachers boasted her very much. She had never thought about writing seriously. Writing was just her hobby at that time. Nearly ten years had passed before our hero had to think for a dozens of years to start writing. That girl was myself.
I always hoped that there would come a special day when I would change my life completely. However, growing up I understood that we achieve our goals in the most usual place in the most usual time. Therefore, every minute is special and each place is full of magic. No one will come and create your life the way you really want. It`s you, only you can make your life either success, or failure. In this way, to postpone means to be ready to quit, or to search for reasons not to fulfil something.
It sounds interesting, but we use the whole might of our potential in the most critical moments. When we see that this is the last way and there is no turning back, we will take control and act. I am going to retell an amazing story here. It`ll explain everything perfectly, I hope. Reading further, you`ll understand we are able to do more than we think we can. As a psychologist, I enjoy observing scientific news, experiences in human`s nature and analyze them. You can read some thousands of books. Anyway, the most effective way to understand the theory is to practice. Therefore, I use real life events of mine and everyone`s. In addition, this story is worth the definition “incredible”!
Not long ago, there was a man. Because of an accident, he had to spend some years of his life in an invalid`s car. His prosperous life turned into darkness within minutes. He already lost his hopes. Once our man went for a walk alone. There was nothing distinguishable about the day. It was cloudy, but it wasn`t raining. Cold wind was playing with the leaves. Suddenly, he heard a loud voice. He looked around. Failing to find a soul the man was confused. Meanwhile, the voice didn`t cease. On the contrary, it grew louder and louder. At last, he noticed a boy calling for help. The boy was behind the window on the first floor. He was shouting: “Help”! Seeing the reflection of the flame through the window, our hero understood that the kid and his house were on fire. He had no time to think or doubt. So, do you know what happened? He stood up and opened the door to save the boy. Due to him, both of them returned to life.
What do you think about this story? I`m sure you`ve come across such kinds of stories before. Perhaps, they happened to yourself. Anyway, remember this story forever, keep it in your mind. Recall it when you doubt to act. Of course, you must have completely observed overthought plan before its fulfilment, but we`ll talk about it in my further books. No matter if you call it a miraculous or realistic event, you are right. The greatest athlete basketball player, Michael Jordan said once “if you quit once, it becomes a habit, never quit!” out of his brilliant words we`ll make up a new formula here. If you postpone something once, it becomes a habit, so never put off anything until tomorrow. Do everything right now! The most appropriate time to act is right now. Right now!
Imagine, you`re thinking of sailing in a boat. However, something prevents you. Someone inside you says “Oh, don`t go, the water is cold, otherwise, you may sink. Even worse you may die you are too old. You have no experience in sailing at all.” The second voice encourages you “Go! You`ll have the most wonderful moments in your life1 So many people around you are sailing. Why are you worse? Step ahead!”
In this way, you are standing on the bank hesitating and overthinking. It seems like two quite different ideas pull you in various directions. You may stand a whole day like that, but what will happen in the end? You`ll look around searching for something to postpone your new experience. You may say “today doesn`t seem perfect to do it. I`ll come back later” What is going on indeed? You are trying to postpone it, because of fear of death or something unpleasant.
Everyone may get frightened when it comes to sailing alone. However, always keep in your mind what I say. Prove that you are stronger than your fear. Show yourself that you can overcome your enemies in your mind like doubts, hesitation, etc. It`s not about throwing yourself into the water, but it`s about your inner peace and self-esteem. If you are afraid, then admit it! Moreover, you can find someone to guide you while sailing or practicing before your trip.
First, ask yourself what you really intend to do learn to say to choose to achieve to forget to remember and so on. Your clear goal is your definite map and your way towards your aim. Then keep going. I saw an old movie not long ago. It was about hockey players. I fell in love with the trainer`s words in this film. He was training his team. All of sudden, one of the players fell unable to stand up. The coach shouted: “Nothing hurts you! You are all right! Keep the gate! Defend it like saving your motherland like defending your children!” The players hated him, because of his strict attitude, but this attitude brought the long expected victory. I love the idiom “burn the bridges!” it means there is no way backward. You have to get only ahead!
If you`ve decided to be the best football player, don`t wait for some happy day to make your dreams come true. Don`t trust your life on anyone or anything. Take responsibility for your entire life on yourself! When you have the definite goal, burn the bridges not to look back, and do everything you can to get achieve what you want. You won`t get it in a day or two, not immediately, but you`ll accomplish it definitely. You may think “It`s better not to do and be safe than try and fail!” however, you never fail until you stop trying as A. Einstein told once. Put any of your doubts out of your mind and out of your heart. Fill them with confidence. You will win! You were born to win. You were born a winner. To keep this position is in your hands.
Let me explain it. Think about a champion on boxing. Only one championship couldn`t fix his ability well. We consider the number of his games and times he won. If he won once and gave up sports, his achievement may lose its importance and everyone will forget. Perhaps, his only golden medal meant nothing to him sometime later. Nevertheless, he grows stronger if he keeps training. The same thing happens in life. If you`ve postponed five of your experiences and was able to fulfil just one. What will you feel about the delayed ones? The postponed tasks will be collected and begin to annoy you. In order not to get frustrated or disappointed with yourself, I want to give you some advice.
Planning
Arranging everything beforehand saves your time and nerves. Planning is an essential part of my life. I pay great attention to it. As Albert Einstein said, “If I had an hour to solve a problem and my life depended on the solution, I would spend the first 55 minutes determining the proper question to ask. For once I know the proper question I could solve the problem in less than five minutes.” The brilliant words, which express the importance of questions. The principle is quite simple here. In order to get a right answer, you must ask the right question.”
Rewarding
As you are already aware that I make up a schedule for every other day. Besides, I love rewarding myself when I do my best. My reward is ice cream! You needn`t choose ice cream like me. The prize can be anything you like most, but it should inspire and encourage you to get ahead!