Stop Procrastinating Using This FRAMEWORK

Let’s find the root cause.

Without wasting your time, here is the most straightforward FRAME. I am highly visual, so maybe that’s why it works for me.

It’s called the Seinfeld Calendar Framework.

Jerry Seinfeld used a red marker to mark each day he finished his daily writing and placed the large calendar on the wall.

I do it for consistency.

As long as the box is crossed RED, it means I accomplish the task.

I apply this simple FRAMEWORK, especially when I start a new 30-day challenge.

Let’s dive deep to find the root cause.

If you find that you’re wasting too much time on things like YouTube or TikTok, you’re doing nothing but mindless scrolling.

You know there is a problem, but you don’t know how to handle it. Here is a practical solution.

Caveat: It’s not enough to say I spend too much time on my phone. I need to stop it. You know which part is missing—it's the action.

Procrastination is the root cause of not taking any action.

But how to find the root cause?

There is only one person who can help you to find the root by keeping questioning yourself. Let me ask you the most fundamental question.

Why do you procrastinate?

You may delay, but time will not.― Benjamin Franklin

It's pretty simple: you don't want to do it, or in another way, you don't have to do it.

Take a pause and think for 60 seconds: what did you accomplish yesterday, the day before, or even in a week?

Have you done something you did not have to do?

There are many obligations, like being on time and doing the work at your job, because that’s how you pay your bills and function in your life.

I observed that most of the time, we tend to procrastinate on creative stuff. For example, many of my friends have said and kept saying for months or years that they don’t have enough time to start a side hustle.

They do want financial freedom, but they need to take the first step, which is trial and error, by experimenting with new projects in their free time.

Here is a beautiful quote on how to turn on creativity.

You can’t just turn on creativity like a faucet. You have to be in the right mood.

What mood is that?

Last-minute panic.

― Bill Watterson

So what happens?

You don’t do it.

Because it's not important enough, it's most of the time creative work that you are pending or have enough time to hit the deadline. You leave everything at the last minute because it's not due today.

But it still needs to be done, so when will you do it?

Only when you must have to do it!

Only when you simply cannot delay it any longer, or the boss will be mad at you. You even stay up all night to finish, but what happened a couple of days ago?

The project was supposed to be done a couple of days ago. Today, you are supposed to revise it, check the errors, and ship it.

By staying up all night and gulping too much caffeine, you probably do the task, but you also distribute your sleep, which is an underrated parameter that boosts almost everything in life, including procrastination.

This is how procrastination works. Don't think you are alone; the pattern is pretty much the same everywhere. It doesn't matter if you are a student or an employee.

But the question arises: How do you say goodbye to procrastination?

How to stop procrastinating

It’s not easy. If someone says it’s so simple to stop procrastinating, that’s BS. I've observed that it’s one of the hardest things to overcome. It’s embedded in your system.

It will be extremely hard if it's optional, like starting a side hustle before or after the job.

Can you overcome procrastination?

Short answer: YES

We need to experiment.

It's possible that what works for me or your boss won't work for you.

But how would you find it?

I have done many 30-day experiments to get rid of bad habits or create new ones. I break down the days, weeks, challenges, etc. Here is a complete list.

Structure

Make a schedule for whatever tasks you need to complete.

So figure out when it’s time to do this activity, mark it on your calendar, and use Jerry Seinfeld to track your progress. You can also set up reminders to alert you when it’s time.

Note — 1: It's okay to miss a day or two. But promise never to miss more than two days in a row when building a new habit or breaking a bad one.

Pick a specific time when you will exercise and where you will exercise.

I am fortunate to have a gym and working from home. I do gym in the morning thereofroe can lead an active lfie throughout the day.

To keep on track with your job project, divide it into chunks and set deadlines for each.

I work six days a week; it's not that I have to work every day. I developed this habit to improve myself, and I have certain goals. However, I make sure to spend Sunday in the forest, nature, enjoying nature, and not watching screens. It helps me boost my energy to handle the next week and to procrastinate less.

Important

It would be hard to convince yourself, "I must work out today.”

We cannot see immediate results. That’s also adding to procrastination.

We know we can skip it, but it won’t make a significant impact.

So, let’s have some important rules:

Is your exercise habit necessary?

Do not respond straight away.

Is it really important to build a workout habit at all?

If the answer is a solid YES, then don’t waste time and just do it.

Note — 2: Do a hard thing first thing in the morning or whenever you wake up, it could be the hardest task related to work or personal (hitting the gym). it will set your mood for the day.

Wrapping Up

If something is on your calendar, take it seriously!

Let me recall that breaking a bad procrastination habit is not easy, especially when you are doing it as a side hustle. It will take time, but if you do it every day for, say, 30 days, you will say thanks to me.

Don't worry; you will make mistakes along the way, but the goal is to keep showing up.

It's absolutely fine if you miss a day or two. Develop a habit of never missing more than two days in a row, especially when you are developing a good habit or breaking a bad one.

Stay humble

Stay curious

And keep learning

Book recommendation:

Autobiography of a Yogi

Note — 3: Steve Jobs Gifted This Book to 500+ People

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