What Is Procrastination? Understand It, Dance With It, Conquer It.

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What is procrastination and how do we beat it? The first thing we need to do is understand why we procrastinate. Then we can figure out how to conquer it and actually get stuff done.

Here's a new take on this frustrating universal tendency from some experts that I admire and trust.

And...I take full responsibility for the below graphic though. :)

So let's get started! We are going to back up even farther and start by answering the next question. Stick with me on this journey (aka short blog post), and you'll be slaying the procrastination dragon before you know it. Ready? Let's do this.

What Is Procrastination?

We begin by defining this productivity killer. Dictionary.com defines procrastination as:

"the act or habit of procrastinating, or putting off or delaying, especially something requiring immediate attention"

Duh. So how exactly does that help us? Well, WHY do we put off or delay something we need to do?

Do The Opposite Of Nothing: The Ridiculously Simple Strategy For Serious Procrastinators To Go From Overwhelmed To Organized

Check out my latest book and bust through that procrastination! Available as a paperback, an audiobook and an ebook on Kindle but NO KINDLE NECESSARY. Enjoy!

Typically, it's because:

we don't know how (where to start or what to do next)
we don't think we can (the task is too big and overwhelming)

Now, I could tell you all day, until I'm blue in the face, that squashing procrastination is all about small, consistent actions. After all, that is my strategy and trust me, it works! However, I'm sure you've heard variations on that fundamental before and for a lot of people, it hasn't made a difference.

So today, I've got something a little different for you from some experts that know what they are talking about.

No procrastinating. Take a few minutes right now to scroll through this blog post, read the articles I've linked to and sign up for my ridiculously useful newsletter to get tips like this delivered to you.

Seinfeld says to practice consistency.

James Clear is the habit master. I've been reading his articles for a while now, and this guy really speaks my language. He studies the habits and routines of successful people and shares them in his newsletter and on his website.

The research, the stories, the way he writes, the understandable and consumable nature of his content - it's all stellar. That said, I highly recommend you sign up for his newsletter after you read this post he wrote about using Seinfeld's strategy for getting stuff done:

How To Stop Procrastinating On Your Goals By Using The "Seinfeld Strategy"

Don't run from procrastination. Dance with it.

The Art Of Charm is a fantastic website inspiring and teaching ordinary guys to become extraordinary men. Obviously, I'm not a man and not their target market, but I love their content nonetheless. It's witty, useful and charming (of course).

Naturally, I swooned when I read their blog post on using envy, procrastination and fear to your benefit. Check it out.

How To Use "Ugly" Emotions To Your Advantage

Turn procrastination into productivity.

Everybody poops. Everybody procrastinates. It's just part of being human. Acknowledging that, sometimes the only way out is through. Here is a guide that appeals to the procrastinator in you and will help you turn your procrastination into productive success.

IT'S TIME TO TAKE ACTION.

This is for you if you have a closet or a room (or two or three) that you close the door to when people come over to your house to hide the clutter...The Procrastinator's Guide To Getting Organized.

And if you are procrastinating about other types of projects, here are a bunch more procrastinator's guides on a variety of topics (estate planning, taxes, writing, inner peace, housekeeping, even the apocalypse! and more).

[TWEETABLE #1] Dance w procrastination & use the @JerrySeinfeld strategy to achieve goals http://ctt.ec/57a5a+ @life_on_track @james_clear @TheArtofCharm

[TWEETABLE #2] Everybody poops. Everybody procrastinates. http://ctt.ec/iCD33+ via @life_on_track