Solving the Procrastination Puzzle
A short, dense book about fighting against procrastination - without hating yourself.
Key points
Disclaimer: I am just jotting down these to recalling what I’ve just read in the book.
Should be organized into better format of notes soon or later.
- Procrastination = Needless Voluntary Delay
- Some delays are NOT procrastination - it’s important to tell the difference between which is which.
- Procrastination is like a puzzle - we should carefully find a best way to get out.
- Of course, we’ll get lost sometimes. Point is to keep trying until we get it right.
- Procrastination can cause a cascade of problems, which will destroy you in near future.
- Use “Implementation Intention” - “If I …, then I’ll …”
- Humans are not very good forecasters. We tend to underestimate our future feelings(focalism) and at the same time we tend to predict that our current feeling will last forever(presentism).
- Like Benjamin Graham adviced us, prepare for “margin of safety”.
- Don’t be afraid of starting the task - it’s not as bad as you think.
- Once getting started, the progress on our goals makes us feel happier.
- JUST GET STARTED.
- Getting started is the half of the job done. Avoiding distractions is another half.
- Willpower is a limited resource. Execute important tasks during the times you have most willpower (e.g. early in the morning)
- Willpower is like a muscle, so it can grow with proper exercises.
- Know your personality traits, and try to make hooks to compensate your tendency of being procrastinating.
- Turn off social media while working.
- There’s no one fast way to solve this puzzle. The “right way” is the fastest way.