Do It Today: Overcome Procrastination, Improve Productivity, and Achieve More Meaningful Things

by Darius Foroux

On my laptop, I use an app called SelfControl during the times I work (try FocusMe for Windows). The app blocks distracting sites. The advantage is that my apps like Evernote, DayOne, Office 365 remain connected so I can save my work in the cloud.

hooked. I think it’s good to realize that. That’s why I often try to remind myself not to depend on smartphones too much because my attention matters more than productivity. It’s time to reclaim your attention. And thereby, reclaim your life. It’s worth it. How Perfectionism Is Destroying Your Productivity Do you always worry that you didn’t do a good job? Do you always question your work and your actions? Are you afraid of admitting your mistakes? Does rejection make you feel like shit? If so, you’re in great danger. I’m not a perfectionist myself. At least, that’s what I try to tell myself. I bet that you try to tell yourself that as well. In fact, the people who don’t admit it are the worst. But here’s the thing: If you’re a perfectionist, you’re just a procrastinator with a mask. It’s no different from someone who’s lazy and does nothing at all. Don’t believe me? Let’s take a look. A perfectionist… Always waits for the right moment. Never makes mistakes. Always needs more time. But at the end of the day, life and work are about outcomes. Results matter. And if you’re a perfectionist, you might get the outcomes some day. But the question is: When? And, at what cost? Research specifically shows that perfectionism is closely related to depression and low self-esteem. “Perfectionists are their own devils.” —Jack Kirby Is the price of perfectionism really worth it? I’ve found that perfectionism is just another form of procrastination. When you constantly worry about makin...

Avoid the perfectionist’s favorite sentence: “OMG, this is the worst thing ever!” Also avoid the slacker’s favorite sentence: “I don’t care.” But instead, you say: “I’ve got this.”

I get a lot of my inspiration from art. I can’t imagine what life would be without it. Well, there is art on that too. Just read Fahrenheit 451 or watch the movie Equilibrium. The best thing about art is that it improves your mood. And when you’re in a good mood, you’re happier. Just don’t consume useless junk. Start with the classics. Listen to Bob Dylan, Marvin Gaye, Whitney Houston. Watch movies by Alfred Hitchcock, Francis Ford Coppola. Read Ernest Hemingway, Harper Lee, Ralph Ellison. Go to the British Museum. Study Andy Warhol. Like millions of other people, you’ll be inspired by their work. And that will enrich your life.

My goal is to make sure progress is being made on the right things at the right pace for the relevant deadlines.”

“People often say that motivation doesn’t last. Well, neither does bathing — that’s why we recommend it daily.”

Self-Discipline: Get better at ignoring the negative voice in your head. Get out of your bed. Go to the gym. Don’t listen to “I don’t want to.” Personal Effectiveness: Learn how to maximize the results you can get during the 16–18 hours you’re awake. Get more done — effectively. Communication: We think we’re all master communicators. But the truth is that we suck. Communication is both art and science. And our ability to work with others depends on it. Negotiation: You negotiate all the time. With your spouse, kids, parents, teachers, friends, co-workers,

managers, etc. Learn to get the best deal for all parties. Persuasion: Learn how to get what you want in an ethical way. Physical Strength & Stamina: Getting stronger is a skill. Pull your own weight. It’s something every human should be able to do. Flexibility: Sitting all day long behind your computer or in your car turns you into a stiff being. Learn how to stretch your hips, lower back, hamstrings, and calves — the most common weak points of desk workers.

We determine our: Desire Attitude Judgments Determination

Your life will never change unless you take action.

“It’s the repetition of affirmations that leads to belief. And once that belief becomes a deep conviction, things begin to happen.”

“The single most important factor in our long-term happiness is the relationships we have with our family and close friends.”

“How people treat you is their karma; how you react is yours,” as the late Wayne Dyer said. Instead of looking at how others treat you, measure how much time and energy you put into your relationships. That’s the only thing you can control. My experience is that when you make time for the people that matter to you, the relationships improve. And if they do not, the relationship was probably not meant to be. We simply have to move on. The real lesson here is that we always must focus on what we can control.