571: Why We Procrastinate (And How to Stop Procrastinating)
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Jan 29, 2025
Procrastination affects a staggering 88% of people negatively. It’s not just laziness but an emotional avoidance of discomfort. Five actionable strategies aim to combat this habit, emphasizing accountability and the importance of taking small steps for momentum. Personal anecdotes shed light on how procrastination creates stress and hinders progress. By reframing tasks to connect with a larger purpose, motivation can rise, paving the way to meaningful achievements. Embracing imperfection is crucial for lasting change.
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insights INSIGHT
Procrastination: An Emotional Response
Procrastination is rooted in emotional avoidance, not laziness or poor time management.
It's about seeking relief from uncomfortable feelings associated with a task.
insights INSIGHT
The Cycle of Procrastination
Procrastination offers temporary relief but amplifies future discomfort, a short-term mood repair.
This creates a cycle of postponing and increasing emotional turmoil.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Hal's Writing Journey
Hal Elrod shares his struggle writing "The Miracle Morning", taking 2.5 years for 40% due to procrastination.
Hiring an accountability coach helped him finish the remaining 60% in six months.
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Rory Vaden's "Procrastinate on Purpose" challenges conventional productivity wisdom. Instead of fighting procrastination, Vaden suggests strategically delaying tasks to maximize efficiency and focus. The book introduces the concept of the "Focus Funnel," a five-step process for prioritizing tasks based on their importance and the individual's unique strengths. Readers learn to eliminate, automate, delegate, procrastinate (purposefully), and concentrate on high-impact activities. The book emphasizes the importance of working in one's signature strength area and avoiding distractions.
Awakening Who I Am
Awakening Who I Am
Two Words to Ignite Your Transformation
Ken Shelton
Dan McCormick
The Miracle Morning
The Not-So-Obvious Secret Guaranteed to Transform Your Life (Before 8AM)
Hal Elrod
The Miracle Morning by Hal Elrod provides a step-by-step process to transform your life by starting your day with six powerful practices: Silence (meditation), Affirmations, Visualization, Exercise, Reading, and Scribing (journaling). This updated and expanded edition includes new content such as The Miracle Evening and The Miracle Life, helping readers optimize their bedtime and sleep, and begin their path to inner freedom. The book has helped millions of people become the person they need to be to create the life they’ve always wanted.
Atomic Habits
James Clear
Atomic Habits by James Clear provides a practical and scientifically-backed guide to forming good habits and breaking bad ones. The book introduces the Four Laws of Behavior Change: make it obvious, make it attractive, make it easy, and make it satisfying. It also emphasizes the importance of small, incremental changes (atomic habits) that compound over time to produce significant results. Clear discusses techniques such as habit stacking, optimizing the environment to support desired habits, and focusing on continuous improvement rather than goal fixation. The book is filled with actionable strategies, real-life examples, and stories from various fields, making it a valuable resource for anyone seeking to improve their habits and achieve personal growth[2][4][5].
In 2022, a study published in Psychology Today found that 88% of people feel worse after procrastinating. Procrastination is undoubtedly one of the most common barriers to success—but what if you could break free from it starting today?
In this episode, I’m launching a brand-new series, Why We Do What We Do, where we’ll explore the psychological and emotional patterns that shape our actions. There’s no denying the fact that we get an immediate sense of relief when we procrastinate. But the downside is we sabotage ourselves and create additional stress in the process.
Today, I’m sharing five strategies to help you draw a line in the sand and make a conscious decision to stop doing the things that don’t move the needle in your life. You’ll walk away with practical tools to shift your mindset, take action, and finally break the habits that prevent you from clearing your to-do list and achieving your goals.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
Procrastination isn’t about laziness—it’s about emotional avoidance
Short-term relief often creates long-term discomfort
Accountability accelerates progress by creating external motivation
Progress, not perfection, is the key to success
Taking small steps creates momentum which compounds and reduces overwhelm
The longer you put off and avoid something, the harder it gets
Five (5) proven strategies to stop procrastinating
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To get full access to today's show notes, including audio, transcript, and links to all the resources mentioned, visit MiracleMorning.com/571
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