How to Beat Procrastination

Summary

In this video, Ali Abdaal explores the concept of 'resistance' as a key factor in procrastination, drawing insights from Steven Pressfield's 'The War of Art'. He outlines three strategies to overcome this: recognizing resistance, adopting a professional mindset, and banishing ego. Ali emphasizes the importance of tackling fear and prioritizing consistent effort over external validation. The video also features a sponsored segment on Audible, recommending 'The War of Art' and other impactful audiobooks.

Takeaways

• 📝 The blank page or screen often paralyzes us due to a force known as 'resistance', which stops us from starting creative tasks.
• 🤔 'The War of Art' by Steven Pressfield suggests that resistance is the barrier between our lived life and the unlived life within us.
• 👹 Resistance is the negative force that actively prevents us from doing things that could improve our lives, unlike minor procrastination.
• 🔥 Resistance is fueled by fear and becomes stronger whenever we give in to that fear, creating a cycle that's hard to break.
• 🧭 Pressfield argues that fear can be a good indicator of what we should pursue, as it often points towards important tasks.
• 🛠 To overcome resistance, one must become a 'professional', committed to their work regardless of mood or inspiration.
• 🎯 Professionals prioritize their work, are determined, and treat feedback as a way to improve, unlike amateurs who are inconsistent and sensitive to criticism.
• 🚫 'Banish the ego' is key to beating resistance, as ego focuses on external validation, while the 'self' is about internal fulfillment and growth.
• 🎯 Setting 'input goals' (those within our control) can help reduce resistance and procrastination, as opposed to 'outcome goals' which are often beyond our control.
• 💡 The book 'The War of Art' can be a quick but impactful read or listen, offering insights on overcoming resistance and procrastination.

Q & A

What is the primary force that paralyzes us from starting creative work according to the script?

The primary force that paralyzes us from starting creative work is 'resistance,' which is a negative force that actively works against us to stop us from doing things we know will improve our lives.

What is the main difference between resistance with a small 'r' and resistance with a big 'R'?

Resistance with a small 'r' refers to the minor procrastination we feel for everyday tasks like cleaning or washing dishes, while resistance with a big 'R' is the force that holds us back from doing creative, entrepreneurial, or risk-taking activities.

How does fear relate to resistance as described in the script?

Fear activates resistance and gains strength whenever we give in to that fear, creating a cycle that leads to resistance becoming stronger as our fear increases.

What is the significance of the quote, 'The more scared we are of a work or calling, the more sure we can be that we have to do it'?

This quote suggests that fear is an indicator that the task or calling is significant and necessary for us to pursue, despite the fear it generates.

What is the key takeaway from the script regarding how to approach work to overcome procrastination?

The key takeaway is to become a 'professional' with our work, which means prioritizing the work, being committed, and taking pride in the work itself rather than being an 'amateur' who only acts on inspiration or mood.

How does the script differentiate between an amateur and a professional in terms of facing resistance?

An amateur is not committed and focuses on fun, money, and status, while a professional shapes their life to prioritize work, is determined to succeed, and takes pride in the work itself.

What role does ego play in resistance according to the script?

Ego focuses on external events and how others perceive us, which can lead to superficial goals and resistance. The script suggests that we need to banish the ego to overcome resistance and focus on the 'self' for inner calm and clarity.

Why does setting outcome-based goals lead to more resistance for the speaker?

Setting outcome-based goals leads to more resistance because they are often outside of the individual's control, which can cause feelings of inadequacy and fear of failure, thus increasing resistance.

What is the recommendation for dealing with resistance when setting goals in the script?

The script recommends setting 'input goals' that are entirely within one's control, such as the commitment to produce a certain amount of work, rather than focusing on the outcomes which are beyond our control.

How does the script suggest using the concept of resistance for decision-making?

The script suggests using resistance as a compass to identify the most important tasks in our lives. If we feel resistance towards a task, it indicates that it is significant and should be prioritized.