The Truth About Procrastination

Common procrastination advice online right now preaches that quick hacks can help you get things done and stop putting tasks off. But the truth is painful and surprising. If it was that easy, you’d have no problems with procrastination already.

The problem is that many procrastination problems aren’t solvable with quick fixes. Others sell the sizzle of a fast “trick” to fix the symptoms but not the root cause of your problem because that’s what reels people in. A quick fix is sexy. In the process, they screw you in the long term. Your real procrastination issues remain and eventually, your frustration returns.
We see this in other industries as well, from fitness to productivity. The “life hacks” aren’t so enduring. In this article, I will provide a way to address these issues to make your life more productive, pleasurable, and profitable.
You’re doing something you’re not passionate about. That’s usually the cause of procrastination. I can give you micro-tips to improve procrastination in the short-term when you’re forced to finish tasks you don’t enjoy, like in high school. But the problem is that you’ll always be fighting an uphill battle against your competitors who love what they do. The secret is to find what you love doing for a career and it’ll never feel like a chore.
Notice how no one complains about procrastinating about playing video games. That’s because they enjoy it so much that it’s not a chore.
I know your parents or society is telling you that you have to do what you dislike to make a good living, but the new world is changing that. It’s not easy to find your passion and make a great living from it but it is possible with perseverance and hard work. And in the long run, it’ll be more enjoyable and you’ll make more money.
I discovered the hard way that you can only will power your way through something you don’t enjoy for so long. If you’ve convinced yourself that you love what you do when you don’t, as I did, the truth will eventually come out. Learn more in this podcast:

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Honestly, if you have a problem that you’ve struggled for years to solve even though you’ve tried every solution, it’s likely a deeper internal, psychological issue that will take time and effort to address.
Outside of not enjoying what you do, there are other reasons people procrastinate. The “Why?” test will unearth these. Ask yourself why you’re procrastinating and then ask why to your answer. Keep going until you find the root cause. For example:
“Why am I procrastinating on writing this essay?”
“Because I am not disciplined.”
“Why am I not disciplined with writing this essay?”
“Because I eat poorly and sleep poorly.”
“Why do I eat poorly and sleep poorly?”
“Because I feel like I don’t deserve self-love since no one gave it to me growing up.”
It won’t always be always as cut-and-dry as this and if it’s deep enough, it may require a therapist for self-reflection and analysis. There’s a stigma that having a therapist is embarrassing but it shouldn’t be. It doesn’t mean you’re a crazy person; it shows that you a...