Page 158 - End Procrastination Now Get it Done with a Proven Psychological Approach

126 End Procrastination Now!

the task seem worthy of avoiding now. What are you doing to stop
yourself from starting? The answers can point to a more basic
problem that needs to be solved.
Tad couldn’t get himself started on preparing an argument for
a court presentation. The legal issues were complex. He was to
face off against a senior partner from a large and successful law
firm. Tad felt intimidated.
We talked about his anxiety about having his arguments torn
apart in court. And since he was not yet clear on his arguments,
Tad had to admit that he had no way of knowing whether he would
be outgunned until he understood the issues.
The five-minute approach helped save the day. Tad agreed to
take the five-minute approach to read the materials from von
Clausewitz on preparation and how preparation can shape deci-
sions. Five minutes wasn’t such a long time.
Once Tad got the picture from me and from von Clausewitz’s
work, he applied the five-minute principle to gather information,
research the law, and ask for help from other counsel. On the day
of the trial, the high-powered lawyer that he had feared walked out
of the court with egg on his face. Tad’s argument was compelling
and grounded. The judge complimented him on his superior
preparation. Tad is a great fan of the five-minute plan. He calls it
his friendly ally.

The Three-File System

Create a three-file system (you can create an e-filing system as
well). Label the first file “catch-up.” Label the second “keep-up.”
Label the third “get-ahead.”
The catch-up file includes previously procrastinated activities
that remain timely and important to do. Throw away whatever will
not come back to haunt you. The keep-up file contains current ac-
tivities, such as those that you might have on your cross-off list. The
get-ahead file includes activities that, if you were to get a jump on
them, could advance your interests and make your life easier later.