Ways To Defeat Procrastination

Stay Motivated

Unless you’re motivated to do something, you won’t. Rational people think about what utility an action brings to them. If you decide to watch LOST, the utility might be 42 minutes of thrilling entertainment. The problem: In the context of work and tasks, we often don’t see the utility of doing them. The solution: Just like clearly defining goals, we can clearly define our long-term goals, which will explain anything we’re doing today.
If I have to write a term paper, my long-term utility of doing it well is a good career and an 8-figure income. Create incentives for yourself by picturing these long-term effects. Quick tip: Visualize!
Putting these goals visually often helps to give yourself a motivational boost. Here’s the deal: Next weekend, find some paper, some magazines, and write, cut and paste together a motivational mission statement for one of your life goals.