The Stoic Solution To Procrastination (Episode 105)
Dec 19, 2023
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Learn how Stoicism can help you overcome procrastination by identifying value judgments, tackling tasks directly, and motivating yourself with philosophy. Discover the importance of building trust and self-trust through commitment, balancing realistic goals, and applying Stoic principles to combat procrastination.
Break tasks into smaller steps to tackle procrastination with directness and focus on present action.
Motivate yourself with stoic philosophy, embrace virtues, and build trust through consistent commitment.
Deep dives
Identifying judgments and tackling tasks
Procrastination is driven by the judgments we make. It's important to identify these judgments and understand the reasons behind them. By breaking tasks into smaller, more manageable steps, we can tackle them with directness and simplicity. Instead of getting overwhelmed by the whole, we focus on taking action in the present moment, avoiding the distractions that come with delaying tasks.
Motivating with philosophy
Motivation plays a key role in overcoming procrastination. One way to motivate ourselves is by embracing stoic philosophy. Reminding ourselves of the shortness of life and the importance of living in accordance with our ideals can help us stay on track. We can draw inspiration from stoic thinkers like Marcus Aurelius and Seneca, who emphasized the value of taking action in the present and not putting off what needs to be done.
Build self-trust and trust from others
Procrastination can erode trust in ourselves and in how others perceive us. By consistently following through on our commitments and keeping our promises, we build self-trust and gain the trust of others. This involves setting realistic goals and focusing on achievable tasks. Over time, this builds a track record of success and helps us develop the discipline and character to avoid procrastination.
Cultivating virtues
Stoicism encourages us to cultivate virtues like courage, moderation, prudence, and justice. These virtues guide our actions and provide a foundation for avoiding procrastination. By approaching tasks with courage and discipline, thinking prudently about them, and considering the justice and fairness in our actions, we can develop the habits and mindset to overcome procrastination and live a more fulfilling, productive life.
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The Stoics are always reminding us to improve ourselves now. But how do you actually do that? What advice do they have for us? Caleb and Michael discuss a simple 3 step approach to procrastination we can glean from the ancient Roman Stoics.