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Notes from Now Habit by Neil A. Fiore, Ph.D.

Creating Safety: The First Major Step Out of Procrastination" (Excellent Analogy)

1. walking along a 30-foot board (task)
2. board is suspended between two buildings, 100 feet above the ground (task determines your worth)
3. you are frozen until you realize the building you are on is on fire (perfectionism/procrastination raise the stakes & time pressure forces you to act)
4. board 100 feet above the ground with a safety net (indisputable sense of worth acts as a safety net)

Five Self-Statements that Distinguish Procrastinators from Producers

1. I have to.
   1. replace w/I choose to.
2. I must finish.
   1. replace w/When can I start?
3. This is so big.
   1. replace w/I can take one small step.
4. I must be perfect.
   1. I can be human.
5. I don't have time to play.
   1. I must take time to play.

Combined: I choose to start one small imperfect step knowing I am human and I must take time to play.

Use Pull-Method Motivation

Tools

1. three-dimensional thinking
   1. consider any of the places to start, don't limit yourself to one right place
   2. permit yourself time along the way to learn, build confidence, and ask for help
   3. don't be critical that you're only starting when you "should be finished."
2. reverse calendar
   1. think backwords from the goal & deadline to the present
3. work of worrying (don't stop with just worrying, develop an action plan)
   1. What is the worst that could happen?
   2. What would I do if the worst really happened?
   3. How would I lessen the pain and get on with as much happiness as possible if the worse did occur?
   4. What alternatives would I have?
   5. What can I do now to lessen the probability of this dreaded event occuring?
   6. Is there anything I can do now to increase my chances of achieving my goal?
4. persistent starting

The Unschedule

• Do not work more than twenty hours a week on this project.
• Do not work more than five hours a day on this project.
• You must exercise, play, dance at least one hour a day.
• You must take at least one day a week off from any work.
• Aim for only thirty minutes of quality work.
• Work for an imperfect, perfectly human first effort.
• Start small.

1. Schedule only
   • previously committed time such as meals, sleep, meetings
   • free time, recreation, leisure reading
   • socializing
   • health activites such as swimming, running, tennis
   • routine structured events such as commuting time, classes, medical appointments
2. fill unschedule with work on projects only after you have completed at least one-half hour
3. take credit only for periods of work that represent at least thirty minutes of uninterrupted work
4. reward yourself with a break or a change to a more enjoyable task after each period worked
5. keep track of the number of quality hours worked each day and each week
6. always leave at least one full day a week for recreation and any necessary small chores
7. before deciding to play, take time out for just thirty minutes of work on your project
8. focus on starting
9. think small
10. keep starting
11. never end down

Managing People Who Procrastinate Commitment to a task sparks much more creativity and motivation than compliance.

Focus On Starting vs. Finishing

See Also:

• Other Book Notes
• Notes from "Getting Things Done"
• An Anomaly of The Will | Ask MetaFilter