Read Time: 4 minutes and 21 seconds.

Picture this.

It’s been a long day at work.

You’re driving home and all you can think of is how good that cold glass of beer is going to taste.

Pulling into your driveway, you notice your gym bag sitting just near the garage entrance.

Shaking your head, you realize that today is a gym day.

You’d promised yourself you attend at least four times per week.

Mourning the loss of your cold beer, you get dressed as slowly as possible.

Feeling the exhaustion of the day hit you, you decide there’s no harm in watching a bit of Netflix.

Reclining into your favorite seat, you watch a few episodes as the sun dips below the horizon.

Eventually, it’s 9pm and the sky is pitch black.

It’s far too late to hit the gym as you need to prepare for work.

Slowly accepting defeat, you silently shrug and put your feet up for the next episode.

Are you surprised by this outcome?

In this edition of The Path Toward Purpose we’re going to explore Defeating Procrastination: A 3-Step Guide to Boost Your Productivity and how you can finally put your procrastination to rest.

 The Foundations of Procrastination

Procrastination stems from avoidance, through laziness.

There’s no way around it.

It’s a form of disguised laziness, where we can justify procrastination as a result of external events.

For example, a long day at work, the new episode on Netflix we want to watch.

Yet, dig deep beneath the surface and you’ll find that procrastination has little credibility.

It just feels a lot better to justify our avoidance.

Then to say that we just didn’t feel like completing that routine, task or goal.

 The Mental Framework

The human mind is always trying to justify its actions.

Notice how everything you do, whether it’s eating, drinking or purchasing has a reason behind it.

It’s how we get away with letting ourselves or others down.

We create an excuse and justify our actions based on external circumstances or our own emotions.

When you get used to accepting excuses as justification for not following through with your word.

Then, it creates the perfect storm for procrastination.

There’s always going to be a later date you can get it done.

Yet, in reality, time waits for no one.

 How-To Apply This

To overcome procrastination, you’ll need a system of accountability.

It’s why Coaching is such a game changer.

As a Coach, it’s my job to keep you accountable to your actions.

However, you can also do this alone provided you have the correct mindset in place.

Here’s how you could do it:

Step 1. Use Deadlines

Ah, the dreaded deadline.

No one likes a heavy weight above their shoulders.

However, it’s actually more intuitive than you may think.

When you set deadlines on your activities.

It spurs you into action.

Now, the key is to not get complacent with the deadlines.

Don’t keep moving the bar on your expectations to fulfill a goal.

Rather, stick to your word.

And if you fail to meet your deadline?

Try again tomorrow.

We’re in the business of building resilience here.

Step 2. Learn Accountability

Accountability boils down to keeping a promise to yourself.

Let’s consider this further.

If your level of “acceptable” perfection isn’t within the scope of your abilities.

Then you have three pathways to follow.

If you’ve made plans to visit your family for Christmas.

How likely are you to break your promise to see them?

See, we often have no problem keeping promises to other people.

In fact, we might even feel bad about breaking their trust.

Yet for some reason, we have trouble treating ourselves the same way.

Imagine yourself as a separate person you let down constantly.

How would they feel?

And why would you continue to treat them in such a manner?

Step 3. Have A Definable Outcome

It’s easy to procrastinate if you don’t see the purpose in your efforts.

If you’re bored, disgruntled or uninspired.

Doing just about anything else is going to feel much better.

This is where having a clear outcome on your actions is required.

Let's say that in your job, once a month, you have to do Invoicing.

Oh, but you absolutely despise Invoicing.

So every month, you’re scrambling to get it done.

Yet, what if you were to view it this way?

Imagine that the Invoicing helps you get closer to your goals.

The extra finance you Invoice, could earn you a raise, or teach you a valuable skill to use if you open your own business.

Find purpose in every activity you do, and tie it towards an ulterior goal.

And if you can’t find purpose in an activity?

Cut it out entirely, it’s merely draining your time and resources.

🚀 Next Steps

To procrastinate, is to only sabotage yourself.

You’re stealing time and energy from the future you.

Putting them into strife and struggle so present you will get to enjoy yourself.

Imagine if the future you was a good friend.

Would you treat them the same way?

Probably not.

Once you gain mastery over conquering your procrastination.

I can guarantee that you’re going to unlock a new realm of life.

You’ll get more done in less time and truly start to make progress towards your goals.

​In the next edition of The Path Toward Purpose, I’ll be deconstructing the importance of training your mind to see opportunity. When your mind shifts into gear, you’ll start to see opportunity instead of obstacles and it’s truly a game changer. I can’t wait to share the next edition with you!