Practical Tips To Avoid Procrastination

To read and apply insights from books consistently, it is essential to beat procrastination and to overcome tendencies to delay. Instead, you should establish a reading habit, setting aside a specific time each day to read. Additionally, plan a daily or weekly fixed time block dedicated to applying what you’ve read. This way, it becomes significantly easier to follow through on your intentions at the scheduled time. The longer you practice this habit, the less discipline and willpower you need to perform the activity, regardless of whether you feel like doing it at that moment.

5-Second Rule

If you find yourself lacking motivation just before the planned time block, you can use the 5-Second Rule. To do this, count down from five to one, and during that countdown, begin the planned activity. If the thought of the entire time block seems daunting, start with the intention of doing at least one minute. Once you start, it often becomes easier to continue the activity.

Pomodoro Technique

Another effective method for breaking up a long time block is the pomodoro technique. Here, you work with maximum focus for 25 minutes, then take a five-minute break and repeat this cycle as needed. This approach helps you avoid distractions and multitasking during focused work periods.

Using the pomodoro technique, you can also create and maintain extensive learning plans. Start by breaking down a complex project into manageable steps and define the first step. Begin with this first step, completing it without worrying about the rest of the project. This way, you can complete each next step in one or two 25-minute pomodoro blocks. Additionally, set deadlines for each project milestone, leveraging Parkinson’s Law, which states that a task’s duration expands to fill the available time.

Particularly challenging tasks are best tackled in the morning to avoid procrastination. Therefore, you should always tackle the most important or difficult task of the day first, when your energy is highest.

72-Hour Rule

For applying knowledge gained from books, the 72-Hour Rule is a helpful principle to avoid procrastination. According to this rule, you should put what you’ve learned into practice within the next 72 hours. This does not mean that you need to complete your entire project within this period. However, you should take the first step by creating a plan and starting with the first task. For instance, if you’ve learned a new mathematical technique, you should work on your first problem using this technique within the next 72 hours. Similarly, if you decide to get a boating license, you should select a driving school and enroll within 72 hours.