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

Will Power Over Motivation? – Mini March

Goals & Priorities· Habits & Routines

23 Mar

 

Former procrastinators, as we help contain the Corona virus, I pray you are healthy and remembering the great love of our powerful God.  Let’s express joy and gratitude while in these circumstances as we recognize time and opportunity we don’t normally have in our homes. We have fewer interruptions and more time in place.  There are increased pressures on one hand, but on the other, we can grow in faith and in relationships.  Reading, games, projects, cooperation – talking – can bless us all.  So whether in person or by phone, reach out with a word of encouragement and a listening ear.

This is a good time to start mini habits that we can carry on later.

“Don’t feel like it’?  Can’t “make yourself”?

In Mini Habits, Stephen Guise sheds light on motivation and willpower.  Condensed from his book (with comments):

If getting motivated is your strategy, you cannot build habits. Motivation is an important feeling with many benefits – a nice bonus when it appears.  However, motivation is unreliable because it’s based on feelings which are unpredictable.  Though good, motivation is an unreliable strategy for lasting change.

Believing that you have to be motivated to act is false.  When you can’t do anything unless you’re motivated, it primes you to spiral into laziness (and procrastination). Thinking motivation has to precede action creates  frustration.  (We’re trapped in delay.)

Guise says forcing yourself to do something with willpower beats trying to get motivated:  1) Willpower is reliable. Forcing yourself to do something no matter what is dependable. 2) Willpower can be strengthened like a muscle.  3) Willpower strategies can be scheduled.

Five factors weaken willpower:  effort ( minis eliminate tiresome decision making), perceived difficulty (drops when you begin a mini), negative effect (minis feel positive), subjective fatigue (minis require little), blood glucose levels (minis preserve energy).  A mini habit is easy to do even if these factors are present.

Mini habits make exercising willpower easy.  They’re so small they demand little.  Read two pages, eat one carrot.

Mini habits are low-willpower Trojan horses that gain easy access into the brain’s control room then perform big results.  They overcome any mood or situation. They move you out of doubts and fears in a safe way.

Repeating small tasks makes willpower stronger.  (Meanwhile, we enjoy success, gain confidence.)

Consistent repetition of small steps.  No motivation required, just a speck of willpower.

For what job have you relied on motivation to get you going?  What will you do instead?

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Print

Leave a Comment

« Brain Training – Mini March
Tiny Pain, Giant Gain »

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

“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/
“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/
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 © 2022 Beth Sterne | Design by The Design Diva | Development by MRM | Privacy Policy