Procrastinating "is the biggest waste of life," the Stoic philosopher Seneca wrote. "It snatches away each day...and denies us the present by promising the future."
Want to stop wasting your life?
Here are 8 Stoic tactics to beat procrastination:
Want to stop wasting your life?
Here are 8 Stoic tactics to beat procrastination:
1. Action by action
"Don’t let your imagination be crushed by life as a whole," Marcus Aurelius wrote. Remember, he adds, everything is built action by action.
As Zeno, the founder of Stoicism, put it, “Well-being is realized by small steps, but is truly no small thing.”
"Don’t let your imagination be crushed by life as a whole," Marcus Aurelius wrote. Remember, he adds, everything is built action by action.
As Zeno, the founder of Stoicism, put it, “Well-being is realized by small steps, but is truly no small thing.”
2. Create a routine
“Life without a design is erratic,” Seneca wrote, and full of uncertainty.
Procrastination feeds on uncertainty. Routine eliminates that uncertainty. We know what we do and when we do it. Procrastination is boxed out—by the order and clarity you built.
“Life without a design is erratic,” Seneca wrote, and full of uncertainty.
Procrastination feeds on uncertainty. Routine eliminates that uncertainty. We know what we do and when we do it. Procrastination is boxed out—by the order and clarity you built.
3. Cut out the inessential
It was Marcus Aurelius’ simple recipe for productivity and for happiness.
“If you seek tranquility,” he said, “do less.”
And then he clarifies. Not nothing, less. Do only what’s essential.
“Which brings a double satisfaction: to do less, better."
It was Marcus Aurelius’ simple recipe for productivity and for happiness.
“If you seek tranquility,” he said, “do less.”
And then he clarifies. Not nothing, less. Do only what’s essential.
“Which brings a double satisfaction: to do less, better."
4. Create a sense of urgency
The Stoics believed the thought of our mortality should shadow us everywhere.
“You could leave life right now," Marcus Aurelius wrote. "Let that determine what you do and say and think.”
Not to create panic, but priority, urgency, appreciation.
The Stoics believed the thought of our mortality should shadow us everywhere.
“You could leave life right now," Marcus Aurelius wrote. "Let that determine what you do and say and think.”
Not to create panic, but priority, urgency, appreciation.
5. Find the right company
The ancient proverb is: “If you dwell with a lame man, you'll learn to limp.”
We become like the people we spend the most time with.
So it's key, Epictetus said, "to keep company only with those who uplift you, whose presence calls forth your best."
The ancient proverb is: “If you dwell with a lame man, you'll learn to limp.”
We become like the people we spend the most time with.
So it's key, Epictetus said, "to keep company only with those who uplift you, whose presence calls forth your best."
6. Get one small win
One of the best pieces of advice from Seneca was actually pretty simple:
“Each day, acquire something that will fortify you against poverty, against death, indeed against other misfortunes, as well.”
One gain per day. That’s it.
One of the best pieces of advice from Seneca was actually pretty simple:
“Each day, acquire something that will fortify you against poverty, against death, indeed against other misfortunes, as well.”
One gain per day. That’s it.
7. Forget about outcomes
Focusing on outcomes can be overwhelming and lead to procrastination.
Instead: “Concentrate every minute,” Marcus Aurelius wrote, “on doing what’s in front of you with precise and genuine seriousness, tenderly, willingly, with justice.”
Focusing on outcomes can be overwhelming and lead to procrastination.
Instead: “Concentrate every minute,” Marcus Aurelius wrote, “on doing what’s in front of you with precise and genuine seriousness, tenderly, willingly, with justice.”
8. Demand the best of yourself
The Stoics come down hard on procrastinating.
"Putting things off and always deferring the day after which you will attend to yourself," Epictetus said, "you will live and die as someone quite ordinary."
Stop deferring.
The Stoics come down hard on procrastinating.
"Putting things off and always deferring the day after which you will attend to yourself," Epictetus said, "you will live and die as someone quite ordinary."
Stop deferring.
If you enjoyed this:
Every morning, we send a short email based on Stoic principles written by @ryanholiday. It’s actionable, thought-provoking, designed to make your life better.
Join 700K+ others & get the free email delivered to your inbox: dailystoic.com.
Every morning, we send a short email based on Stoic principles written by @ryanholiday. It’s actionable, thought-provoking, designed to make your life better.
Join 700K+ others & get the free email delivered to your inbox: dailystoic.com.
Loading suggestions...