Not So Popular Cure For Procrastination

No to-dos. No delusional thinking. And it works.

It took watching over 100 videos about procrastination to realize I can’t stop procrastinating entirely. All great advice and it sure helped. But it didn’t stop putting things off from time to time.

I do the usual thing we‘re all guilty of.

I procrastinate by watching videos about procrastination thinking I’m helping myself to stop procrastinating. I go for Tim Urban’s Ted Talk mostly.

Indeed, I learned about some important psychological triggers that make your brain delay everything and your life. I also found the root cause of why tomorrow I can handle anything as long as it’s not today…

However, I usually only use this knowledge to appear smart while having a conversation with people who also have a problem with procrastination.

They also know everything about procrastination… Always a pleasure to have a chat with other experts in the field.

What is procrastination exactly?

“Procrastination is the habit of delaying an important task, usually by focusing on less urgent, more enjoyable, and easier activities instead.” — definition by Mindtools.

That is it. No need to elaborate.

What is this cure?

The unpopular cure for procrastination that I don’t recommend consuming is equal to taking a hair of the dog that bit you. I don’t recommend it because it’s counterintuitive and even dangerous for someone who really struggles with this beast.

But it sure helped me on multiple occasions.

The answer actually lies in the very definition of procrastination.

Procrastination is a habit.

… no, no, not that one.

The answer is to do less urgent and more enjoyable tasks.

Actually, let’s be precise here.

Do the second most important thing.

Yes, the one thing right behind the most urgent and important thing.

How to do the second most urgent thing?

You know it, it’s usual business. Relax and leave the urgent family and business matters or whatnots for tomorrow.

The day you feel like procrastinating, allow your mind to escape where it can do something a bit more interesting. Literally, a bit more interesting.

The second most boring thing.

Do you need to go to the dentist? Meh, go to the doctor’s office.

Do you need to prepare for an important interview? Naaah, go ahead and apply for three other jobs.

Need to write an article? Nope. Find a headline image first and edit it like a 6-year old.

Need to pay the bills? Okay, you should pay the bills…

This unconventional method is dangerous

It is dangerous because you are still procrastinating and delaying the most urgent thing. You will still be late and wait for that final minute to start doing what you should have finished generations ago.

The negative consequences and stress will still rule. The same way they usually do.

But at least, you got something very crucial off of your list. Something you would consider avoiding after you‘re done avoiding the present issue.

Hey, I’m not perfect and my advice is probably awful. I rarely procrastinate because I solved some fundamental personal matters first.

But when I do procrastinate… and I do…

I cross the second most task off the list.

Sometimes, I even do the fourth most important thing first. Some boring act that feels like sky diving at this point.

However, you should aim for the second because next time it might be the eighth… 😂