Overcoming Laziness and Procrastination

Introduction

• Defining problem: Our generation's laziness and procrastination.
• Common excuses: Too many choices, options, and lack of follow-through.
• Objective: Three pieces of advice to commit to important things and say no to distractions.

1. Monitor Your Self-Language

• Be aware of how you describe yourself:
  • Negative self-descriptions become self-fulfilling prophecies.
  • Example: A friend made a derogatory comment about being a "cheap Asian"; another example of being a "skinny Indian dude".
• Positive Reframing:
  • Replace negative self-talk with more constructive language.
  • Instead of "I am lazy," say "I haven’t worked hard enough yet."

2. Be Honest About Your Priorities

• Common Excuse: "I don’t have enough time."
  • It's politically correct and socially acceptable, but it cheats oneself.
• Honest Response:
  • Instead of time excuses, state your true priorities.
  • Example: "I appreciate the offer, but that's not one of my priorities for the year."
• Admiration for Honesty:
  • More respect for people honest about their priorities rather than offering time excuses.
  • Example of a respectful way to decline: "I've thought through my priorities for the year, and that’s just not one of them."

3. Break It Down Into Baby Steps

• Tiny Habits:
  • Concept by BJ Fogg: start with very small, manageable tasks.
  • Example: Instead of committing to the gym 5 times a week, start with 2 push-ups a day.
• Incremental Growth:
  • Gradually increase the tasks. From 2 push-ups, move to 3 after a few days.
  • For writing, start with half a page a day rather than 50 pages.
• Achievable Goals:
  • Set goals you know you can achieve, and ramp up from there.

Additional Resources

• The Finisher’s Formula Course:
  • Strategies and tactics for follow-through.
  • Free material available by providing an email address.