Shane Melaugh – Ikario – 21 Days To Crush Procrastination

Yesterday, you said “tomorrow”

We all have things that we REALLY want to do but never get around to doing. What are they for you?
Starting a new business? Playing the guitar? Starting a Youtube Channel?

These are the things that give our lives meaning and purpose. But why is it so common for us to put them off until later? I mean… they’re the most important things in our lives, right?

We tell ourselves:
“TOMORROW is going to be the day that I start that new business!”
“Today after work I’m going to pick up the camera and start my Youtube channel!”
“After I finish watching this news video on Youtube, I’m going to practice guitar.”

But what happens? Minutes turn to hours… hours turn to days, and eventually months have passed without us EVEN GETTING STARTED.
All because of that sinister voice in the back of our heads constantly messing with our ambitions. You probably know it as procrastination.

Sure, but doesn’t everyone procrastinate? It isn’t that bad…

Procrastination seems like just an innocent little pest. Just a minor annoyance. It begs for 5 more minutes of our time. Just 5 more minutes. Just finish watching this video, just scroll through your phone a little bit longer.

The problem is that these “5 more minutes” compound quickly and we may NEVER end up doing the things that we want to do most in life.

The worst part about procrastination, is that it gets worse the more you do it.

The Vicious Cycle of Procrastination

Imagine you tell yourself “today after work, I’m going to start working on my new business! (or going to the gym, or learning an instrument or whatever it is for you).

You’re excited and motivated all day at work. You’ve amped yourself up, “I’m going to change my life!” you tell yourself.

You get home and just before you start, you think “I need a few minutes to relax”. You open up your phone to and see an interesting Youtube video (you deserve it! you’ve had a long day at work).

It seems harmless. But the first video turns to another, and then another… and before you know it, it’s been 45 minutes and you’re still on the couch.

You haven’t started… again.

But this is where it gets worse. Because it’s not only that you haven’t started, but you feel GUILTY that haven’t started. You tell yourself:

“I can’t believe I’m doing this again. I’m better than this! UGH. I know I want more for my life but I guess I’ll just give in tonight…”

The worst part is how you feel about yourself. It makes you feel small and powerless, giving up your goals and ambitions to this stupid little device.

So how do you deal with this negative emotion?

You watch some more videos to numb the pain. To quiet that little voice inside your head. It’s easier to watch a few more videos than it would be to take action.

This turns into a vicious cycle… one that leaves you feeling miserable, and your dreams? They’re still on the back-burner.

But while you may be feeling guilty about procrastinating – the truth is it’s not your fault. There are forces working AGAINST you at every turn.

Let’s look at how procrastination pokes its ugly head in our lives…

Public Enemy Number One: Distraction

The most obvious way procrastination manifests is through distraction. However, distraction can wear many masks.