1 00:00:00,540 --> 00:00:08,910 Act behavioral strategies, the more we rely on sheer willpower to be through procrastination, the 2 00:00:08,910 --> 00:00:11,060 less likely we will break its grip. 3 00:00:11,640 --> 00:00:18,330 Rather than trying to muscle our way through, we can find greater leverage to overcome avoidance. 4 00:00:18,810 --> 00:00:24,330 Some simple changes in our actions can greatly improve our chances of being productive. 5 00:00:25,530 --> 00:00:27,510 Use external reminders. 6 00:00:28,050 --> 00:00:35,340 We can boost our chances, our chances of starting a task by making it hard to ignore setting an alarm 7 00:00:35,430 --> 00:00:43,260 boost a note for yourself right to go on a whiteboard or put things where they will remind you of what 8 00:00:43,260 --> 00:00:46,440 you need to do if you can't do it right away. 9 00:00:46,470 --> 00:00:53,750 Be sure to set another reminder and create a distraction free zone. 10 00:00:54,450 --> 00:00:59,740 It's harder to procrastinate when time waste wasters aren't really available. 11 00:01:00,210 --> 00:01:02,280 Lose your Internet browser if possible. 12 00:01:02,280 --> 00:01:08,060 Silence or put away your cell phone and remove any other likely distractions. 13 00:01:08,250 --> 00:01:15,630 It's too easy to turn to these things out of habit when feeling anxious or otherwise uncomfortable about 14 00:01:15,630 --> 00:01:16,050 the task. 15 00:01:17,610 --> 00:01:18,710 Use a calendar. 16 00:01:18,840 --> 00:01:23,670 The more specific we are about our plans, the more likely we are to complete them. 17 00:01:24,030 --> 00:01:30,540 But any task you intend to do into your calendar and do everything you can to protect that time if you 18 00:01:30,540 --> 00:01:36,540 have to pump or but of the task list, schedule it for as soon as possible. 19 00:01:39,210 --> 00:01:42,900 Break down a big task into manageable tasks. 20 00:01:43,440 --> 00:01:51,570 Breaking down overwhelming task can make it much easier to get started, make the steps as smooth as 21 00:01:51,570 --> 00:01:53,550 necessary to feel doable. 22 00:01:54,000 --> 00:02:00,240 Give each subtask its own mini deadline so you will know you're on the job. 23 00:02:01,020 --> 00:02:09,750 Just get started and see an entire task in front of us can be daunting resolve simply to start the task 24 00:02:09,750 --> 00:02:12,240 and work on it for a short period of time. 25 00:02:12,540 --> 00:02:17,130 For example, maybe you take five minutes to outline an email you've needed to write. 26 00:02:17,730 --> 00:02:22,320 There is a chance you might even keep working past your modest goal. 27 00:02:23,460 --> 00:02:28,140 Finish a task, even if it's hard on the other end of the project. 28 00:02:28,140 --> 00:02:28,980 Keep going. 29 00:02:28,980 --> 00:02:36,570 When the finish line is in sight, you may as well capitalize on your momentum rather than having to 30 00:02:36,570 --> 00:02:42,120 overcome inertia from a cold start when you come back to finish it later.