Brain Hustling My Way Through Procrastination

And, how I outsmarted my brain from a frenemy to an ally.

Photo by Milad Fakurian on Unsplash

Think back to those school days. 

Remember that feeling of dread creeping in the night before a major project was due? 

That was me, the king of procrastination. 

I vividly recall this one night, frantically trying to glue together a science project at the eleventh hour.. 

The glue was everywhere, my hands were a sticky mess, and the irony of the situation wasn't lost on me. 

It was a disaster in motion, a comical yet painful example of procrastination at its finest.

Mastering the Art of Getting Things Done

Zoom forward to my life as a founder, where missing a deadline isn't just about a grade, but potentially missing out on key opportunities. 

I realized that procrastination wasn’t just a quirky trait; it was a serious hurdle blocking my path to success.

Procrastination was like a sly thief, always ready to steal my time and peace of mind, leaving me scrambling at the last minute.

The chaos of last-minute rushes and the stress of unmet potential were constantly hovering over me, a looming cloud of "what-ifs" and "if-onlys."

Enter the transformative approach of "Atomic Habits" by James Clear. This book was a revelation, a real game-changer. 

It’s not about monumental, overnight changes but the power of small, consistent habits that compound over time. By implementing Clear’s strategies, I began to rewire my brain, turning procrastination into productivity, one small habit at a time. 

Here's how I navigated through the maze of procrastination, applying the principles of "Atomic Habits" to find my stride in productivity and focus.

We All Need a Deep Work Zone

Ernest Hemingway, that literary heavyweight, was a maestro of deep work. Did you know he used to write in a quiet, minimalistic room, free from distractions? Just him and his typewriter (and probably a whole lot of intense Hemingway-esque thoughts).

Borrowing a leaf from his book (literally), I found my own version of Hemingway’s sanctuary: the local library. 

Libraries are like gold mines for focus. Picture this: endless rows of books, the sacred silence, and that unique library smell – a concoction of old pages and concentration.

I wasn’t penning a novel, though; I was on a mission to smash out content. With nothing but my laptop and a schedule tighter than a drum, I set up camp in a quiet corner of the library. 

The vibe? It's indescribable. 

There's something about being surrounded by centuries of knowledge and literature that lights a fire under you.

Tip: Libraries aren’t just for reading. They’re perfect for any kind of deep, focused work. Find a cozy nook and watch as your productivity shoots through the roof.

Photo by Patrick Robert Doyle on Unsplash

Suddenly, the content ideas that were playing hide and seek in my brain started flowing like a burst dam. Blogs, articles, posts – you name it, I was churning them out like a content factory. 

And all this, without the usual suspects (read: phone notifications, kids, Netflix) vying for my attention.

The library became my treasure cave. The stillness was the perfect backdrop for my thoughts, and the change of environment? That was the cherry on top. It's like stepping into a different world, one where my brain automatically switched to 'beast mode' for creativity and productivity.

So here’s my two cents: if you’re struggling to find your groove in the usual spots, try a library. 

It’s quaint, it’s quiet, and it might just be the deep work haven you never knew you needed. 

Plus, you get the added bonus of feeling like a literary genius, even if you’re just drafting emails or plotting world domination one blog post at a time.

Time Management and Ditching Pomodoro for the Eisenhower Box

Don’t get me wrong, Pomodoro is great, but let’s shake things up with another killer strategy I swear by: the Eisenhower Box. 

Trust me, it's like having a personal assistant in your brain helping you sort out your life.

The Eisenhower Box: Decisions Made Easy

This technique is named after Dwight D. Eisenhower, and it’s all about categorizing tasks into four simple boxes:

• Urgent and Important: These are your fire alarms. The tasks that need your immediate attention or everything goes up in smoke.

• Important, but Not Urgent: Think of these as your long-term relationship goals. They need your time and attention but not right this second.

• Urgent, but Not Important: The pesky mosquitoes of tasks. They buzz around needing attention but aren’t really contributing to your big picture.

• Neither Urgent nor Important: Basically, the junk food of tasks. Feels good to munch on but doesn’t really nourish you.

Why It's a Game-Changer

This method turns you into a time-management ninja. You're no longer just reacting to tasks; you're strategically sorting them. It’s like having a crystal ball showing you exactly where to focus your energy.

Putting It into Practice

At the end of my week in preparation for the coming week, I sit down with a cup of coffee (because, of course) and jot down everything on my mind. Then I play matchmaker, fitting each task into one of the four boxes.

• Box 1: These are my Monday priorities. No excuses, they get tackled head-on.

• Box 2: I schedule these throughout the week, giving each one its own spotlight.

• Box 3: I try to delegate these. If I can't, I squeeze them in between the biggies.

• Box 4: If it lands here, I'm probably going to drop it. Sorry, not sorry.

Why Founders and Creators Love It

If you're like me, juggling a gazillion things at once, this method is a lifesaver. 

It helps me zoom out to see the big picture and then zoom in on what really matters. 

And, let's be honest, it's super satisfying to categorize tasks and then obliterate them one by one.

So, founders and creators, if Pomodoro feels like an old hat, give the Eisenhower Box a whirl. 

It’s like organizing your brain’s closet – and who doesn’t love a good spring cleaning, right?

Photo by Arseniy Kapran on Unsplash

The New Elixir of Focus Is Green Tea

Alright, let's talk about my secret weapon in the war against procrastination – caffeine.

But not just any caffeine; I’m all about green tea now. Gone are the days of coffee jitters and post-caffeine crashes. Green tea is where it’s at.

Why Green Tea Over Coffee?

First off, green tea is like the ninja of caffeinated beverages. It sneaks up on you with a gentle buzz, unlike the sometimes harsh kick from coffee. 

It's packed with L-theanine, a magical little amino acid that promotes relaxation without drowsiness. 

So what you get is a calm, steady alertness. No more shaking like a leaf while trying to focus on your word doc..

A Sustainable Buzz

Green tea gives you a more sustainable energy boost. No abrupt peaks and troughs of energy – just a smooth, prolonged period of focus. 

I've noticed since making the switch, my deep work sessions are more consistent, and the dreaded mid-afternoon slump is a thing of the past.

Health Perks? Yes, Please!

Besides keeping you alert, green tea is a health powerhouse. 

It’s loaded with antioxidants, boosts metabolism, and is said to improve brain function. 

So while you’re nailing your to-do list, your body is getting its own dose of goodness.

So What’s a Realistic Deep Work Schedule

Three hours – that’s the magic number for deep, focused work per day. Beyond that, you’re probably just spinning your wheels.

You could do more, which I’ve tried for short stints of time. 

How I do it is 2 blocks of deep work of 3 hours each. Sounds crazy and to make it work, you take a good break in between.

Take that walk, go to the gym, go do the other stuff you love. Then slip back into the deep work with your brain ready to hustle its power.

Wrapping It Up

Founders, creators, procrastinators – I hope my journey offers you insight to kick procrastination to the curb. 

It’s all about finding what works for you and sticking to it. 

Got thoughts or questions on productivity? Hit me up, and let's chat about turning those dreams into action. 

And hey, if you’ve made it this far, why not give a virtual clap? 

Keep pushing, keep evolving, and remember..

Your purpose won’t wait, and neither should you. So get your brain hustling!