I admit I’m probably one of the biggest procrastinators out there. I have a bunch of new projects on my plate that I know will make me plenty of money but I’m doing everything I can to avoid starting them.
However, with time, I realized that I was only procrastinating starting a project, the procrastination does not apply to working or finishing the project.
Typically, the hardest part of getting things done is the initial part — getting over the initial friction — no matter how minuscule it can be. After the initial hurdle your brain switches to work mode and each incremental work unit markedly decreases in effort.
Here’s some of the principles that work for me from starting a brand new project to finishing a never-ending one.
Put the major ideas in writing
I begin by writing down an outline of the major projects that need to be done in Google Docs. Instead of just keeping a faint idea in your head, writing things down re-enforces you to mentally commit.
For instance, after some brainstorming I have a list of ten ideas that are worth perusing.
Every time I login to Google Docs (where I do all my writing), these projects are usually the first thing I see and so it’s hard to ignore them at or away from the computer.
Another important benefit is that even while I’m away from the computer, seeing those projects written down forces my subconscious to think about even while I’m doing completely unrelated things.
Just make sure these are major projects that you know you must do. Do not write down some wishy-washy ideas that you are not sure about. If you’re uncertain about something you will be less likely to do it regardless if you write it down or not.
Start little by little
The important thing here is to start working on something and get over that initial hurdle.
It can be as little as writing a rough outline of a spec document. Maybe some rough sketches of that iPhone game you want to do. Perhaps a rough draft, let’s say with 5 bullet points, of that information e-book you’ve been thinking of doing.
Every time I have an idea, I open Google Docs and write it down regardless what I’m doing at that time. It can be a new idea or an addendum to something I was already doing.
Keep adding those layers and over time you suddenly realize you have a complete spec for a project with all the details fleshed out.
Work in small chunks interlaced with breaks
I typically work in small (30-60) minute chunks which I found greatly reinforces my focus on the task at hand.
For instance this blog post you’re reading now was spread over about five non-consecutive days. In the meantime I was working on other things, but slowly and surely finished each task.
Unless I have a strict deadline (which is rare) for a specific project, I like to work in layers. Some nights I feel extra creative and go on for few hours; other nights I’m tired and would rather pass out.
After each task, it’s important to take a break. Get up and walk around the room. Make tea. Go for a run or a walk. Run a couple of errands.
Physically doing something “resets” your brain and makes it easier to refocus on the task at a later time. It’s also healthier than sitting in your chair all day.
Make consistent progress daily
Before the end of the day, I like to go over the all the progress and write it down.
For instance, If I was working on a book I’d write down the total word count at the end of the every day.
This serves two important purposes. First, this forces me to make some progress during the day regardless of how minor it can be. It’s encouraging to see the word count go up everyday. Secondly, and most importantly, it gives me a realistic view on how long something took to finish.
Humans usually underestimate how long something will take. I have a project that I’ve recently finished. Once I started tracking it, I realized that it took me about two weeks from start to finish while initially thinking it’ll only take me five days. Now, armed with this information I know that I would need two weeks full time to finish a project with similar complexity. If I have a bunch of things on my plate, I might hire someone do it for me and pay them accordingly.
Finish It
I don’t care if you religiously apply every one of those principles, you still have to actually finish the damn thing.
First, realize that it can never be perfect. Realize what your notion of version 1.0 would be and accept its limitations.
Set a specific date in the future that should give you enough buffer time to finish and aim for that date.
Since I love to travel, I might book a weekend trip somewhere few weeks in advance thus forcing me to finish the project beforehand. The trip becomes my reward for giving my 200% and getting the thing out the door. It won’t be much fun being somewhere exotic but feeling guilty of not being done with something and knowing it’ll be waiting for you when you get back, now would it?
Eliminate wasteful activities
I won’t talk much about completely eliminating time wasting activities such as mindless surfing, Facebook, Twitter, etc, since that’s majorly a personal choice. Personally I have no problem eliminating them if I consider them to be an obstruction to my goals. On the other hand, if you’re hopelessly addicted and find yourself refreshing the news feed every minute, then maybe it’s time you make a pact with yourself. One example would be that you cannot use Facebook at least until you reach an important milestone of your project.
Regardless of which one these (or all) points you’ll find useful to implement, the bottom line is that action is procrastination’s worst enemy, so the sooner you make that first step — no matter how small it maybe — the sooner you can turn that worthless idea on paper into a finished, polished money-making product
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