Put Off Procrastination

  • Home
  • Meet Beth
  • Blog
  • Speaking
    • Speaking Topics
    • Speaking Schedule
  • Resources
    • You Might Be a Procrastinator If…
    • Books and More
    • Helpful Project Tips
    • Suggestions from You
    • Diligence Ditties
  • Contact

Small Steps to Big Change (Mini Habits)- Lay Aside Every Weight

Goals & Priorities· Habits & Routines

17 Oct

How do we start mini habits, former procrastinators?  In Mini Habits Stephen Guise recommends these steps:

  1. Choose your mini habits and plan.  – Write a list of full-size habits you’d like to have.  (50 pushups a day/ write 3000 words)  Start with one or two, no more than 4.

    “Minify “ the goals so they are what Guise calls “stupid small.”  Be specific. (One pushup/50 words)  Altogether, they should take you less than 10 minutes to complete.  Meeting the small requirement makes you successful that day.

  2. Dig down for honest answers about why you want to develop each habit.  Find the source.  The best habit desires are based in your life values.

  3. Determine your habit cues.  Time-based ones are by the clock.  Activity based cues tie in with another behavior.  General mini habits are done once per day (deadline bedtime).  Avoid skipping because that will start a negative habit.

  4. Make a reward plan.  Rewards encourage repeat behavior and may also restore willpower.  Give your brain a reward initially so it’s willing to repeat the behavior. Eventually satisfaction in the job done is enough for your brain to keep going because it desires the habit.

  5. Track your success.  Guise recommends a large calendar placed where you see it often.  I use my planner.  Cell phones have options, but remember hand written thoughts take more prominence in the brain than digital ones.  Keep the chain of success going.

  6. See small steps as critical for success. In forming a habit we want to do three things.  Mini habits check them all.  *  Strengthen willpower (Low willpower tasks with high frequency builds willpower muscle.)  *  Make progress now  (Complete the mini habit and you have succeeded – but you’re free to continue.  Mini habits generate motivation to do more. But do not secretly require more.)  *  Avoid willpower depletion  (No excuse for failure or fear of failure, no guilt. Tiny requirements do not drain you.)

  7. Maintain small goals.  As you succeed with mini habits and do extra reps because you choose to, a bigger goal will be tempting.  Resist.  Keep your requirement low.  Keep expectations and energy on consistency.

  8. Notice signs of habit, but steady the course.  Some indications a habit is forming:  no inner resistance, identifying with the behavior (I’m a fit person/a writer), no worrying about it, it’s non-emotional, not exciting.  (But life is better!)  Some mini habit sparks take more time to ignite than others.

How will you minify your habit goals?

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Print

Leave a Comment

« How Your Brain Works (Mini Habits) – Lay Aside Every Weight
Sparking Benefits (Mini Habits) – Lay Aside Every Weight »

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

BETH STERNE
Welcome! It's great to have you here. I'm a follower of Christ and a learner of new ways. By His grace, I am gaining victory over procrastination. This is where I share struggles I face and lessons I'm learning. Join me and other sisters as we put off procrastination and put on peace.

Learn more about Beth ≫

Join me in gaining victory!

Subscribe to receive my weekly post in your email inbox with encouraging tips for tackling procrastination and creating peace.

Privacy Policy

Browse by Category

Browse Archives

What Others are Saying

“Beth’s presentation on procrastination was truly eye-opening. I knew I had a problem with procrastination, but never thought twice about how it impacted my relationships and showed God that I wasn’t onboard with His plan. I began to see each instance took away from being fruitful; I was living for myself! After this revelation, I have been working on procrastinating less. I can see places opening up in my life for more peaceful moments, more time with and for friends and family, and more time for God’s plan to unfold. It’s amazing to know there’s more to life for me than a life full of “should haves” as a result of procrastination.”

Carole S.

Beth Sterne - Put Off Procrastination
2018-08-16T14:42:59-04:00

Carole S.

“Beth’s presentation on procrastination was truly eye-opening. I knew I had a problem with procrastination, but never thought twice about how it impacted my relationships and showed God that I wasn’t onboard with His plan. I began to see each instance took away from being fruitful; I was living for myself! After this revelation, I have been working on procrastinating less. I can see places opening up in my life for more peaceful moments, more time with and for friends and family, and more time for God’s plan to unfold. It’s amazing to know there’s more to life for me than a life full of “should haves” as a result of procrastination.”
https://putoffprocrastination.com/testimonials/carole-s/
“After Beth came and shared about procrastination, many realized that it is possible through the Lord's power to stop putting off what God has called us to do. One mother finally started a blog and another posted a ladies; tea for her church months in advance so that ...she would not put off having it. Although I thought I was not someone who procrastinates, I realized I had some relationships that I needed to work on. Procrastination, I learned, is not just about getting things turned in on time, it's about listening to God and doing what He says to do when He tells you to and obeying God's Word.”

Rebecca F.

Beth Sterne - Put Off Procrastination
2018-08-16T14:43:28-04:00

Rebecca F.

“After Beth came and shared about procrastination, many realized that it is possible through the Lord's power to stop putting off what God has called us to do. One mother finally started a blog and another posted a ladies; tea for her church months in advance so that ...she would not put off having it. Although I thought I was not someone who procrastinates, I realized I had some relationships that I needed to work on. Procrastination, I learned, is not just about getting things turned in on time, it's about listening to God and doing what He says to do when He tells you to and obeying God's Word.”
https://putoffprocrastination.com/testimonials/rebecca-f/
"I realized [procrastination] ... hindered my relationship with Him."

Mary R.

Beth Sterne - Put Off Procrastination
2018-08-13T20:09:23-04:00

Mary R.

"I realized [procrastination] ... hindered my relationship with Him."
https://putoffprocrastination.com/testimonials/mary-r/
"I have loved 'Learn to discern what should come first.'"

Josie O.

Beth Sterne - Put Off Procrastination
2018-08-13T20:10:12-04:00

Josie O.

"I have loved 'Learn to discern what should come first.'"
https://putoffprocrastination.com/testimonials/josie-o/
"Getting things done isn’t as important as what gets done."

Megan P.

Beth Sterne - Put Off Procrastination
2018-08-16T14:40:50-04:00

Megan P.

"Getting things done isn’t as important as what gets done."
https://putoffprocrastination.com/testimonials/megan-p/
"Biblical truth ... with a lot of fun and laughter."

Cindy C.

Beth Sterne - Put Off Procrastination
2018-08-16T14:41:28-04:00

Cindy C.

"Biblical truth ... with a lot of fun and laughter."
https://putoffprocrastination.com/testimonials/cindy-c/
“I never saw myself as a procrastinator until her talk – I just thought of myself as productively busy! She helped me to gain new focus on what my priorities really are.”

Christine B.

Beth Sterne - Put Off Procrastination
2018-08-16T14:41:59-04:00

Christine B.

“I never saw myself as a procrastinator until her talk – I just thought of myself as productively busy! She helped me to gain new focus on what my priorities really are.”
https://putoffprocrastination.com/testimonials/christine-b/
"Beth’s procrastination talk led me to understand procrastination as a heart issue in need of God’s restoration not just a change of my ways. Beth’s personal experiences helped me discover practical ways to attack my own procrastination. As a result I have become a more loving wife, mother and friend who is able to use the gifts God has given me more fully. I highly endorse this talk and would love to hear it again and again."

Julia F.

Beth Sterne - Put Off Procrastination
2018-08-16T14:42:31-04:00

Julia F.

"Beth’s procrastination talk led me to understand procrastination as a heart issue in need of God’s restoration not just a change of my ways. Beth’s personal experiences helped me discover practical ways to attack my own procrastination. As a result I have become a more loving wife, mother and friend who is able to use the gifts God has given me more fully. I highly endorse this talk and would love to hear it again and again."
https://putoffprocrastination.com/testimonials/julia-f/
0
0
Beth Sterne - Put Off Procrastination
Go to the ant, you sluggard;
consider its ways and be wise! It has
no commander, no overseer or ruler,
yet it stores its provisions in summer
and gathers its food at harvest.
Proverbs 6:6-8
... you have put off the old man with
his deeds, and have put on the new
man who is renewed in knowledge
according to the image of Him who
created him.
Colossians 3:9-10

Copyright © 2023 Beth Sterne | Design by The Design Diva | Development by MRM | Privacy Policy