Procrastination is a common problem that affects many people. It is the act of avoiding doing what you know you should be doing, and it can have negative consequences for your mental health, your performance, and your well-being. Procrastination can also rob you of your precious time, which is the most valuable resource you have.
But how can you overcome procrastination and get things done? One possible answer is to use the ancient philosophy of Stoicism. Stoicism is a practical and rational way of living that teaches you how to control what you can control and accept what you can’t control. It also helps you focus on your purpose, your progress, and your actions, rather than on your fears, your doubts, and your excuses.
In this article, I will share with you how I used Stoicism to beat procrastination and become more productive and happier. I will also give you some tips and quotes from the Stoic philosophers that can inspire you to do the same.
Making One Bit of Progress Every Day
One of the main reasons why we procrastinate is because we feel overwhelmed by the size or complexity of the task we have to do. We think that we need to have everything figured out before we start, or that we need to wait for the perfect conditions or the perfect mood. This leads us to postpone or delay our work indefinitely.
The Stoics had a different approach. They believed that the best way to achieve anything is to make one bit of progress every day, no matter how small or imperfect. They understood that perfection is not possible, and that waiting for it is a waste of time. Instead, they focused on doing their best with what they had, and improving along the way.
As Ryan Holiday, a modern Stoic writer and author of The Obstacle Is the Way, says in his video How I Beat Procrastination With Stoicism:
“The way that I try to think about it is: What’s one thing I can do today that moves me closer to where I want to be? What’s one thing I can do today that makes me better than I was yesterday? And if I can just do that one thing, then I’ve won the day.”
This mindset helps you break down your big goals into smaller and more manageable steps, and gives you a sense of accomplishment and momentum. It also helps you overcome the fear of failure or criticism, because you are not attached to the outcome, but to the process.
As Marcus Aurelius, the Roman emperor and Stoic philosopher, wrote in his Meditations:
“Do everything as if it were the last thing you were doing in your life, and stop being aimless, stop letting your emotions override what your mind tells you.”
Doing Less, Better
Another reason why we procrastinate is because we have too many things on our plate. We try to do everything at once, or we get distracted by trivial or irrelevant matters. We end up spreading ourselves too thin, and not doing anything well.
The Stoics had a solution for this as well. They advised us to do less, but better. They taught us how to prioritize what is essential and meaningful, and eliminate what is not. They also taught us how to focus on one thing at a time, and give it our full attention and effort.
As Seneca, the Roman statesman, and Stoic philosopher, wrote in his Letters from a Stoic:
“We don’t abandon our pursuits because we despair of ever perfecting them.”
Finding Your Motivation
A third reason why we procrastinate is because we lack motivation. We don’t have a clear or compelling reason to do what we have to do, or we don’t see how it aligns with our values or goals. We may also feel discouraged by the obstacles or challenges we face, or by the lack of feedback or recognition we receive.
The Stoics can help us find our motivation by reminding us of our purpose, our progress, and our actions. They can help us discover
Finding Happiness
A fourth reason why we procrastinate is because we are not happy. We may feel dissatisfied, bored, frustrated, or depressed by our current situation. We may also feel anxious, guilty, or ashamed about our future prospects. We may lack a sense of meaning, joy, or fulfillment in our lives.
The Stoics can help us find happiness by teaching us how to live according to nature and virtue. They can help us realize that happiness is not dependent on external things, such as wealth, fame, pleasure, or power, but on our internal state of mind, which we can control and improve. They can also help us appreciate what we have, and cultivate gratitude, contentment, and resilience.
As Epictetus wrote in his Enchiridion:
“Don’t seek for everything to happen as you wish it would, but rather wish that everything happens as it actually will — then your life will flow well.”
Living According to Nature and Virtue
The Stoics believed that everyone has a purpose in life, and that this purpose is to live according to nature. This means living in harmony with the nature of the universe, which is rational and providential, and with the nature of ourselves, which is rational and social. By living according to nature, we fulfill our role as human beings, and we contribute to the common good.
The Stoics also believed that the only thing that is truly good and valuable in life is virtue. Virtue is the excellence of character that enables us to act rationally and morally in any situation. Virtue is also the source of happiness, because it makes us free, wise, and self-sufficient.
As Seneca wrote in his On the Happy Life:
“A good character is the only guarantee of everlasting, carefree happiness.”
Living according to nature and virtue can help us find happiness because it gives us a sense of direction and meaning. It helps us align our actions with our values and goals, and it helps us see how our work matters to ourselves and others. It also helps us overcome the external and internal factors that may hinder our happiness, such as fear, doubt, anger, envy, or boredom.
To live according to nature and virtue, you can follow some principles, such as:
- Follow reason: Use your rational faculty to understand the world and yourself, and to make wise decisions. Avoid being swayed by irrational impulses or emotions.
- Do your duty: Perform your role or function well, according to your talents, circumstances, and opportunities. Serve the greater whole with justice and kindness.
- Seek improvement: Strive to become a better person every day by learning from your experiences and applying your knowledge. Cultivate the four cardinal virtues: wisdom, courage, self-control, and justice.
- Accept fate: Recognize what you can control and what you can’t control in life. Focus on the former and let go of the latter. Trust that everything happens for a reason and for the best.
Appreciating What You Have
The Stoics taught us how to appreciate what we have by practicing gratitude, contentment, and resilience.
As Epictetus wrote in his Enchiridion:
“Don’t ask for things to happen as you wish, but wish them to happen as they do happen, and you will go on well.”
Practicing Gratitude
The Stoics taught us how to practice gratitude by reminding ourselves of the gifts and benefits we have received from the gods, from nature, from other people, and from ourselves. They also taught us how to express our gratitude by returning the favors, by sharing our blessings, and by living virtuously.
As Seneca wrote in his On Benefits:
“He who receives a benefit with gratitude repays the first installment on his debt.”
Practicing gratitude can help us find happiness because it makes us aware and appreciative of what we have. It helps us overcome the tendency to take things for granted, to complain, or to envy. It also helps us strengthen our relationships, our character, and our well-being.
To practice gratitude, you can follow some habits, such as:
- Keep a gratitude journal: Write down three things you are grateful for every day, and why. Be specific and concrete. Try to vary your entries and avoid repetition.
- Say thank you: Express your gratitude to the people who have helped you or made your life better. Write a letter, send a message, make a call, or say it in person. Be sincere and specific.
- Savor the good moments: Pay attention to the positive experiences you have throughout the day. Notice the beauty, the joy, the wonder, and the humor. Share them with others or write them down.
- Use negative visualization: Imagine losing something or someone you value, or being in a worse situation than you are now. Think about how you would feel and what you would miss. Then return to reality and appreciate what you have.
Cultivating Contentment
The Stoics taught us how to cultivate contentment by learning to be satisfied with what we have and who we are. They also taught us how to avoid unnecessary desires and expectations that may lead to disappointment or frustration.
As Marcus Aurelius wrote in his Meditations:
“Very little is needed for everything to be upset and ruined, only a slight lapse in reason. It’s much easier for a mariner to wreck his ship than it is for him to keep it sailing safely; all he has to do is head a little more upwind and disaster is instantaneous. In fact, he doesn’t even have to do anything: a momentary loss of attention will produce the same result. It’s much the same in life: if you only drift a little more downwind, ruin is certain.”
Cultivating contentment can help us find happiness because it makes us free and independent of external things. It helps us overcome the desire for more, which is never satisfied. It also helps us cope with adversity, which is inevitable.
To cultivate contentment, you can follow some practices, such as:
- Practice moderation: Avoid excesses and extremes in your consumption and behavior. Choose quality over quantity. Seek balance and harmony in your life.
- Practice self-reliance: Rely on your own resources and abilities to meet your needs and solve your problems. Avoid depending on others or on external things for your happiness or security.
- Practice detachment: Don’t attach your happiness or identity to things that are outside your control or that may change or disappear. Be ready to let go of anything that is not essential or beneficial for you.
- Practice simplicity: Reduce the clutter and complexity in your life. Eliminate what is unnecessary or harmful for you. Focus on what is essential and meaningful for you.
Developing Resilience
The Stoics taught us how to develop resilience by learning to face challenges and difficulties with courage and wisdom. They also taught us how to turn obstacles into opportunities and lessons.
As Ryan Holiday wrote in his book The Obstacle Is the Way:
“The impediment to action advances action. What stands in the way becomes the way.”
Developing resilience can help us find happiness because it makes us strong and adaptable. It helps us overcome the fear of failure or loss. It also helps us grow and improve from our experiences.
To develop resilience, you can follow some tips, such as:
- Reframe your perspective: See challenges and difficulties as tests of your character and chances to learn and improve. See failures and losses as feedback and corrections.
- Focus on solutions: Don’t dwell on the problem or blame others or yourself for it. Instead, look for ways to overcome it or cope with it. Use your reason and creativity to find solutions. Seek help or advice if needed.
- Embrace challenges: See difficulties and obstacles as opportunities to grow and improve. Learn from your mistakes and failures. Seek feedback and criticism to enhance your performance.
- Practice optimism: Look for the positive aspects and outcomes of any situation. Expect the best and prepare for the worst. Believe in your abilities and potential.
Conclusion
Procrastination is a common and harmful habit that can prevent us from achieving our goals and living our best lives. But it can be overcome with the help of Stoicism, an ancient philosophy that teaches us how to live according to nature and virtue.
Stoicism can help us beat procrastination by showing us how to:
- Make one bit of progress every day
- Do less, but better
- Find our motivation
- Find our happiness
By applying these strategies, we can become more productive, more fulfilled, and more resilient. We can also become better human beings, who contribute to the common good and enjoy a banquet with the gods.
If you want to learn more about Stoicism and how it can help you improve your life, you can check out these resources:
- The Daily Stoic: A website and newsletter that provides daily wisdom and inspiration from the Stoics.
- The Obstacle Is the Way: A book by Ryan Holiday that shows how to turn adversity into an advantage by using Stoic principles.
- Meditations: A book by Marcus Aurelius that contains his personal reflections and advice on how to live a good life.
- The Enchiridion: A book by Epictetus that summarizes his core teachings on how to live a free and happy life.
- Letters from a Stoic: A book by Seneca that contains his letters to his friend Lucilius, offering practical guidance on various topics.
I hope you enjoyed this article and found it useful. If you did, please share it with others who might benefit from it. And if you have any questions or comments, please let me know in the comments section below.
Thank you for reading, and remember: don’t procrastinate, act now!
