The Subtle Art of Getting Sh*t Done #074

Welcome to another episode of Evolve Leadership podcast. No matter the reason, procrastination steals our time, potential, and peace. But today, we're fighting back. We're digging into why we delay things, and most importantly, how to stop. So, let's go on this adventure together. Get ready to uncover the twists and turns of this challenge, not to get lost, but to find your way. Welcome to this episode about The Subtle Art of Getting Sh*t Done [4:00] Have you ever experienced procrastination in your life?  I'm not familiar with what you're discussing. It's not something that I've experienced personally. When aiming to elevate our business relationships or achieve new goals, we frequently encounter resistance. It seems as if certain circumstances arise to push us back into our previous comfort zones. Additionally, I sometimes find myself grappling with a fixed mindset. This mindset stands in stark contrast to a growth-oriented one. For instance, there are times when I find myself repeating the same actions while expecting different outcomes, or believing that adhering to past practices is the only way forward. These convictions stifle innovation and curtail our ability to adapt and expand. In light of this, I've noticed that procrastination can take hold when confronted with change, a process that often demands more from us.  [10:00] What makes this conversation impactful is: How can we begin taking those steps right now? The power of this conversation lies in how we can begin implementing those important actions now. The question becomes: how can we foresee the consequences of not acting on these significant matters? This reminds me of something Tony Robbins talks about that greatly resonated with me. He has this powerful exercise where he takes you on a journey into your future self. He asks you to envision where you'll be a year from now, five years from now, ten years from now, and even thirty years from now if you persist in maintaining your current path. The exercise delves into the potential pain of remaining stagnant. As you go through it, you start to realize that the resistance you're feeling towards making necessary changes in various aspects of your life – whether in your business, marriage, interactions with your kids, or others – will likely lead to even more profound pain down the road. This exercise links back to a business concept called opportunity cost. It's about recognizing the opportunities you might be missing out on because you're hesitant to take action. Some of these opportunities may extend into relational aspects, like how you're building your team or the impact your demeanor has on your team's dynamics. Are you inadvertently intimidating or shutting down others? Do you find yourself consistently on edge or irritable? Even these personal behaviors can have long-term repercussions. When you reverse engineer many business decisions, you'll find that they often trace back to leadership and how leaders manage their own lives. The procrastination they experience personally can often manifest in the workplace. It's quite fascinating to observe how these dynamics play out. [12:45] What are the reasons we procrastinate?  Let's delve into this list. Starting with perfectionism, often linked to fear of failure. The apprehension of not meeting high standards can lead to procrastination. The belief that if we can't be perfect, we won't even try. A growth mindset counters this, valuing progress over perfection, and seeing errors as learning steps. Moving on to "B plus consistency outperforms A plus inconsistency." Initially baffling, especially for those valuing excellence. But embracing growth means being content with a B plus initially, refining over time. James Clear's two-minute rule suggests immediately addressing tasks taking less than two minutes, known as "The Whippet." Overwhelm, particularly