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Jonathan Nott

How to beat procrastination


I feel like I've drifted through life.

I've trusted my intuition letting fate dictate where I end up. I've jumped between friend groups, jobs, creative projects and relationships and I've never really had any major worries in life. I've also only ever made a few serious decisions that have lead to defined outcomes I wanted. The most important? Marrying Saskia.

While this sounds like a dream way to live, it has long term side effects.

Like:

  • Terrible organisation skills
  • Procrastinating on personal projects
  • Not setting defined goals for the future

When you live life on autopilot, you forget how to drive. Imagine doing this for 28 years and realising "oh shit, I better build something". At that age you tell yourself:

  • "ah dam it's too late, I'm getting old"
  • "All the young kids are already ahead of me"
  • "If I start now, it will take 5 years and I'll be 33, that's too old"

Sound familiar?

What's worse is that you keep repeating those thoughts in your head so they become habitual. But you know what I say when those thoughts come up? "Brain, shut the fuck up"

And guess what happens?

I suddenly I go "oh yeah, those are self limiting beliefs, I better stop falling into those streams of thought"

At 37 (now), this mindset shift has helped me kick my ass into gear and focus on the goals I want to achieve, like:

  • Getting married
  • Moving to The Netherlands
  • Finding an awesome job
  • Building social media followings
  • Starting a writing journey

Telling your brain to STFU is the most simple solution to a big problem, but that's why it works.

I'll admit, I'm still a procrastinator (28 year old habits take a long time to break). But 80% of the time I remember to take control of my thoughts and take a more positive route: Action.

Do you struggle with procrastination or feel like you're drifting through life?

Let me know! Just reply to this email—I read and reply to everyone. (This is your chance to take one small step toward change)

Thank you friends,

Jonathan Nott

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