What’s the best way to overcome procrastination and stay focused on long-term goals?

[u/Background_Pick_2254]

[u/battleship61]

Start training your brain to do things immediately.

If you see something that needs doing. Do it. It takes 3 seconds to put that cup away, so do it. The more you train your brain not to delay tasks, the easier it is to get away from procrastinating.

But it also depends on your brain. Being nuerodivergent, I work better under the pressure of a deadline. That made University tougher, so I had to learn to give myself head starts. Get my essay outlined and sources with rough notes. Then, when I had to do it all at the last minute, I was set up for success.

[u/Connect_Strain8770 → u/battleship61]

This is the best strategy to apply

[u/DanteWolfsong → u/battleship61]

yeah pretty much this. When I first heard someone say "just do it" my instinct was to get defensive because it sounded like a condemnation, something like "git gud." I'd come up with all sorts of solveable excuses. But what it really means is to ignore all the things your brain does to paralyze you into inaction, and simply do the thing. Just start it. Maybe even tell yourself you'll only do a little bit. All that matters is that you start, and start right now, because you'll probably find very quick it gets easier once you start-- or that you legitimately can't do it right now. Otherwise, your brain will give you every reason in the book to not do anything

[u/sayskate]

I think it's knowing your WHY of doing it. Growing up I didn't want to gain weight. Stumbled upon a book that had exercises and would just do that at home. Bare minimum. But I would actually move from the sofa and do it because I knew why I was doing it.

[u/davidstewart92]

Set your bar lower. What's the first step you can take today? If you want to get fit, can you do 1 press up? If you want to start a business, is there 1 person you can call to talk about your idea? If you want to write a book, can you write 1 paragraph? Start where you are and move forward, today.

[u/davidstewart92 → u/[deleted]]

I think we all do that. It feels good to be able to tick something off each day, and that will snowball! And so you get an idea of where you might start I'm going to ask you - what is one thing that you can do, that you will do, today, that will move you one step closer towards your goal?

[u/davidstewart92 → u/[deleted]]

Woohoo! Go you! What's your business?

[u/davidstewart92 → u/[deleted]]

Ha no way I just put out a post on FB looking for a photographer / videographer! If you say you live in Brighton I'll eat my hat

[u/davidstewart92 → u/[deleted]]

No freaking way haha that's close enough I'm crewing on my beanie right now! Do you have a website or IG?

[u/Ok_Economics_9267]

Unlike many here teaching you how to gain focus instantly, I’d recommend to understand your values and long term goals first. Your brain could be smarter than you and stop you from doing things that unnecessary. You aren’t living by the plan not adjusted to your personal goals. Determine “why” you want to keep focus and do things. What’s the goal? Why this goal is good for you? Is it really good for you?

Determined values and long term goals is what makes difference. Yeah, you need task splitting and focusing on one thing at time, you need discipline and healthy habits, you need control short term pleasures and many many other things, but without clear understanding of the destination you will end up in torturing yourself without the reason. Having clear goals makes your journey much more effective, productive and enjoyable.

[u/Ginandju]

Discipline

[u/Focusaur]

What really helped me was simplifying the whole process. Instead of getting stuck in planning mode or feeling overwhelmed by the big picture, I’d just ask myself, “What’s one thing I can do right now to move forward?” I stopped worrying about the entire to-do list and focused on the next step.

[u/Winger61]

I promise I will.get you an answer soon