A simple way to get things done
The two-pass method
The cause of procrastination
Some quick advice now for those struggling with procrastination on important, longer tasks that require dedicated focus. For example, writing an article or doing an epic feel-good gym workout.
The primary reason we procrastinate is not because we don’t want to do something. After all, we know that there will be a positive longer-term benefit to doing it, it may be enjoyable, and we even get a dopamine boost from task completion.
We procrastinate because we are afraid to achieve a sub-par result, and we know the task will require mental or physical energy to do perfectly or even competently. We know we need to put ourselves into the optimal headspace for the task, and there is a natural inertia initially against changing our headspace.
In summary, we are perfectionists, waiting for the perfect moment which never exists. So we don’t begin.
A simple solution
Do what many writers and creatives do, and take a two-pass approach to task completion. The first pass is rough, energetic and creative to use that initial momentum to get you into the headspace, and the second pass is refinement and editing to achieve the polished final result.
Rather than using the initial motivated phase to do the first, say, 25% perfectly, and then run out of steam, use it to do 100% of the task roughly and, now having set the start and end boundaries of the task and seeing the finish line as early as possible, power on through to finish it.
First Pass
Set yourself a time limit — perhaps 30 minutes or an hour — to start the task without any commitment to finish it now. This part is important to overcome that feeling that you MUST do it all and 100% perfectly within this session.
The idea is to roughly get down the first bits of the task, the structure and any big ideas (if creative). Purposely do not try to perfect what you do as you go…you’ll get bogged down in detail that will kill your momentum. Complete the rough draft from start to end and be excited that you’ve quickly mapped out the bones of what you’ll create or complete.
Second Pass
After the First Pass or slightly later (not too much later), now that you are invested in the task and the headspace required to complete it and have overcome the initial inertia to begin, set yourself another time limit (1 or 2 hours perhaps) and go over it again, refining it as you go and putting detailed flesh on the bones.
Now apply it
Of course, I used this two-pass technique to write this short article. A first pass for 20 mins, to quickly throw down a structure and the rough ideas and sentences, and a refinement phase of editing (~40 mins) once I was invested in the headspace for writing the article.
You can apply this method to a wide variety of tasks — writing, work tasks, a presentation, a gym workout, programming, music production, making art, etc.
For non-creative tasks (e.g. a gym workout), the idea isn’t so much about throwing down ideas and structure first, but about just getting started (“I’ll do 30 mins and see how i feel after that”) without initially committing to doing an epic 2 hour workout, which might put you off even starting. More often than not, once you’re in the active headspace and have the momentum, you will feel good and want to continue.
Now go — get s**t done!
