How to Overcome Procrastination
How to Overcome Procrastination
Procrastination is the habit of putting off what we know we should do because we're not in the mood to do it.
Procrastination is the opposite of good time management.
Time managers figure out what they should do and then they do it, even if they're not in the mood.
Procrastinators figure out what they should do, but they DON'T do it - because they're not in the mood.
You have Three Brains
Inside your head, you have three brains:
1. The brainstem: which deals with basic functioning of balance, heart rate, blood pressure, and other automatic systems.
2. The emotional brain: most of your brain is exactly the same as a chimpanzee's. It has all the emotions, drives, fears, instincts of an animal. It tends to seek pleasure and avoid pain.
3. Human intellect, the neocortex: The third brain is a human brain, which literally sits on top of the old animal chimpanzee brain. It is the intellect, the neocortex, that makes you more than a chimpanzee. It makes you distinctly human, and not a chimpanzee. The intellect is the rational faculty or the logical mind.
It is the rational faculty that gives us everything distinctly human: language, mathematics, art, literature, engineering, science, ethics, politics, philosophy - everything that makes us human comes from the human intellect.
Inner Civil War
The two major parts of your mind, the human intellect and the emotions, are often at war with each other.
The intellect says you should do one thing, but the emotions say the opposite.
For example, in the morning when the alarm goes off, your intellect says you must get out of bed, but the emotions want to stay in bed.
When we have this inner civil war between what the intellect knows we should do and what the emotions feel like doing, then my question is: Who wins the war?
Do you do what you know you should do, or do you allow your emotions to take control and put-off what you know you should do?
Procrastinators allow the emotions to take control over their reason, and they only do the things they feel like doing - they don't do the things they don't want to do - because they're not in the mood.
Time managers run their lives on their intellect, not their emotions. Time managers do what they know they should do even if they are not in the mood!
Moments of Choice
When you are faced with the inevitable clash between what you know you should do and what you feel like doing, make sure that you choose wisely.
Mind over mood
Your intellectual mind should take precedence over your moods and emotions. I call this philosophy "Mind over Mood."
Always operate according to your highest part, which is the intellect.
Procrastinators Abandon Reason
Procrastinators abandon reason, throw out logic, and they operate only on the emotions, which leads them to disaster.
Action Plan
Mind over mood: always do what your intellectual mind tells you to do, whether or not you are in the mood.
Definition: Mind over Mood
Mind over Mood is a work strategy used in personal productivity. It means you let your thinking brain, not your feelings, pick and start each task. You begin at once even when you do not feel like it, you follow a clear written plan and short time blocks, and you repeat this pattern until it turns into a firm habit.
Show CG4D Definition
- Thinking brain, not feelings, makes the choice
- Action starts at once despite mood
- Uses a written plan with short time blocks
- Becomes firm through steady practice
Article Summary
Procrastination fades when you let your thinking brain lead. Notice the urge to delay, choose mind over mood, and act at once. Simple time blocks, clear goals and a written action plan give you control, so tasks start, finish and success follows.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some questions that frequently get asked about this topic during our training sessions.
Why do we procrastinate even when we know the task matters?
What is the three brains model in simple terms?
How can I use mind over mood during my workday?
What quick action stops delaying right now?
How do time managers differ from procrastinators?
Should I ignore feelings and always follow reason?
How long to turn mind over mood into a habit?
Thought of something that's not been answered? Ask Us Today!
Did You Know: Key Statistics
A 2024 Anatomy of Work study found that 67% of knowledge workers postpone important tasks at least once a week because they are not in the right mood or lack clarity. Microsoft’s 2023 Work Trend Index shows staff who use daily time-blocking are 45% more likely to hit deadlines than colleagues who do not plan their day.About the Author: Chris Farmer
Chris Farmer is the founder of the Corporate Coach Group and has many years' experience in training leaders and managers, in both the public and private sectors, to achieve their organisational goals, especially during tough economic times. He is also well aware of the disciplines and problems associated with running a business.
Over the years, Chris has designed and delivered thousands of training programmes and has coached and motivated many management teams, groups and individuals. His training programmes are both structured and clear, designed to help delegates organise their thinking and, wherever necessary, to improve their techniques and skills.
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