Punishment Value — a way to beat procrastination

Our biggest enemy is we, ourselves. We plan a lot — to do a lot of work — create, write and become a successful future self. But the moment we sit to work, we feel exhausted, lazy and distracted. This leads us to looking for ways that might bring our focus back, and normally we end up procrastinating. While the most important hours, where we planned to get things done, sweep past us.

Photo by Guillaume Issaly

It is our conscious, that produces these ugly thoughts and drift us out of our study chairs. That guides us to the tv remote. It is we, the desires | wishes | urge to feel better, that hurts us the most. These same desires, keeps us poor, addicted, lazy and sleepy. Usually it is the only reason we fail in our lives.

The important question — that lingers on the most, our entire life is; how do we beat it?

Fix yourself to your chair. Feeling hungry, thirsty, lazy, not productive, and tired? Next 3 hours you can not get out of your chair. The baseline rule is — stick your bottom to your chair under all circumstances.

Attach a small punishment value to your commitment. That if you stand in next 3 hours, and go anywhere other than the planned work — you will pay a fine to one of your close friends. Or you will do one ugly thing that you hate doing. Or you will shout at the peak of your voice in public and look pathetic. Something, that makes you hate yourself and you can't afford doing under any circumstances.

With the punishment value, you make sure you do not listen to your thoughts, keep your senses shut and stay focused to getting things done. Slowly, you start realising that all good works require a boring start. All professional works, require a consistent commitment. And all great works are a result of a hardened attitude of showing up.