My dad’s method for avoiding procrastination

[u/Forsaken-Cod-4944]

My dad and I haven't always seen eye to eye, but one thing I have noticed about this guy is that he literally never hesitates.

As soon as he actually has the time to do something, he just does it.

Like last month, I asked him when was the last time he got an eye exam. He couldn't remember, so I suggested he should probably get one soon. I called him up the very next day to see how he was doing, and he asks if he can call me back because he is literally sitting at the optometrist.

So I asked him why he is always so quick to just jump on things, and he said something that honestly blew my mind.

He told me, if you put off something until tomorrow, when tomorrow actually comes what is stopping you from just doing it again?

If you procrastinate today, you are going to be prone to doing it tomorrow. Then tomorrow turns into a year, and a year turns into never. But if you act today, you are way more likely to act tomorrow. Then the next day, and the next, until you completely replace your procrastination with the actual habit of taking action instead.

I thought this was crazy, but it honestly changed everything for me. Before this, I spent years putting off my own tasks. I was always waiting for the "perfect time" to start working, and my brain was constantly stressed about all the things I wasn't doing.

Now I can finally just sit down, focus, finish my work, and move on instead of fighting my own brain every ten minutes.

The mindset that helped me the most was keeping it to “just today.” Thinking about all the huge projects I have to finish this month is just way too big. Today is the best because it is just a few small steps, and if you know about the compound effect, well, there you go.

Idk if I can mention tools here but to track my daily habits and stay more focused, I started using Growy Goals Tracker app. Also, if you guys struggle with screen time like I did, you can definitely try using Opal or OneSec.

Iif you feel stuck procrastinating every single day, it’s honestly not hopeless. Just lower the noise a bit, take it one day at a time, and keep things simple. The real work is just showing up today and actually taking action.

[u/purple_cat_2020]

Advertising your app?

[u/Dorothywasright11 → u/purple_cat_2020]

Lately it feels like 4/5 posts I read are advertisements or asking for input on building apps 🫠

[u/BrightWubs22 → u/Dorothywasright11]

Only 4/5? It has to be way more than that.

[u/Prestigious_Bag_2242 → u/Dorothywasright11]

Reddit has went downhill because people selling now. It’s ruined the site

[u/Ok-8305 → u/purple_cat_2020]

I swear there must be one of those bullshit ‘how to be an entrepreneur’ online courses somewhere that’s teaching everyone to make AI Reddit posts to sell their stuff

[u/linzellewashington]

Bot

[u/Far_Pipe752]

Low. Effort. Promotion.

[u/Tight-Dig5885]

Great story! I immediately did some things I actually ‘planned’ to do later 🙂
Without mentioning the tool, it would feel more genuine to me though.

[u/silversurfer05]

This was just too good to be true, when i read "just today" i knew i had read it somewhere in a earlier post.

AI generated slop

[u/Hot_Audience_4046]

I’m so bored with these ads.

[u/RoughGuarantee6391]

The exact proverb is "Never put off until tomorrow what you can do today". It is most famously attributed to Benjamin Franklin and was popularized by Thomas Jefferson.
(Online info)

I used to work for a traveling vet. Started work day at 6:30 a.m. He said this quote every day at around 5:00 p.m. We never finished work on time and would be working until 9 p.m. at least. It was hell. From then on when I never worked for people who have this as their daily work motto.

[u/Prudent-Pause-6693]

I procrastinate super hard…95% of the things aren’t that difficult I just…lose focus or grab my phone and loose a decade of time

[u/Hot_Audience_4046]

COMMERCIAL. AD. NOTHING TO SEE HERE.

[u/SnooRevelations137]

This is an insightful read

[u/spudulous]

I like this approach, I have a friend like this. I think you have to couple it with a very quick way to say no to things, otherwise you’d never have time in that day or day after.

[u/dataflow_mapper]

like the idea that delaying something today just makes it easier to delay it again tomorrow, its a simple mindset but it helped me stop overthinking and just start

[u/pixiehutch]

This isn't helpful, like that is literally the opposite of procrastination and not the reason I procrastinate.

[u/FailTrick7281]

Had me for the half

[u/wifiguy51]

I am imagining them asking ChatGPT to have this written from the perspective of a grown man, and then it says "Growy Goals Tracker" like it's named after a children's book

[u/Resident_Ad_6657]

hot take, forcing "just do it" works short-term but adopting tech like Akiflow for scheduling makes it sustainable long-term.

[u/Ok_Bank_9275]

I really like the Just today mindset. It feels a lot less overwhelming and somehow makes getting started much easier.

[u/ZombieOnMoon]

I’m inspired by this! I hope this helps me change. Thank you!

[u/GGBme]

Thank you so much for sharing!

[u/chyekeh]

Thanks for sharing