Summary

Tim Maudlin shares his personal struggle with procrastination and perfectionism when launching his website and offers a counterintuitive solution to overcome inaction.

Abstract

Tim Maudlin, a self-proclaimed perfectionist, recounts the internal battle he faced prior to launching his website, detailing the myriad of excuses and fears that held him back. Despite the temptation to delay the launch until everything was perfect, Maudlin realized the importance of action over endless preparation. Drawing from a coaching webinar with Jeff Herring, Maudlin embraced a surprising mantra to combat procrastination: "Put It Off!" This phrase, which became a humorous inside joke, encapsulates the idea of setting aside perfectionism and taking immediate action. Maudlin then encourages readers to implement this approach in their own lives, emphasizing that progress is more valuable than waiting for the perfect moment.

Opinions

The author believes in the power of taking action despite not feeling fully prepared, viewing it as crucial to success.
Maudlin acknowledges the fear of not being the right messenger and the overwhelming nature of too many ideas as common barriers to action.
He suggests that the quest for perfection can be an endless cycle of procrastination, preventing meaningful progress.
Maudlin introduces the concept of "Put It Off!" as a tongue-in-cheek solution to procrastination, advocating for immediate action instead of indefinite delay.
The author stresses the importance of moving beyond excuses and highlights the value of community support in overcoming inaction.
Maudlin reflects on his own journey and growth, from a perfectionist to someone who embraces the philosophy of "Do What You Can Now."

PRODUCTIVITY | MINDSET | DAILY DOABLE

The Rx for Procrastination in 3 Simple Words?

How to avoid the frustration of inaction.

The following is the story about the time when I was delaying to launch my website. It’s a lesson I learned then and I hope it will inspire you now.

It started creeping into my mind and the practical side of me began agreeing with each rational argument for why I wasn’t ready. Why I wasn’t ready to announce my website.

A perfectionist by nature, I always want to do my best and I don’t want anyone to see anything that I don’t consider my best. It’s something that I have had to fight against my entire life.

Building my own platform and launching it to the world is scary. It’s not that I doubt the message I’m conveying.

Am I the right messenger?

What about all of the things that go into getting my message out there?

Things like…

Is the website ready?
Do the links work?
Do I have enough content?
What if this, what if that?

Over and over I can think of things I should do before I tell everyone about it. Even as I write this, I can see if I keep explaining this and that, it’s just another excuse for not shipping, for hiding what I have been planning to do for a while now.

Learning is important but the action is important too. I finally got to the point where enough was enough.

Three weeks ago, I literally started from ZERO and built a community. People like you to communicate with.

I’m not short on a supply of ideas. In fact, ideas are my problem. That might sound crazy, too many ideas? I have so many that I’m constantly starting and stopping, starting and stopping, and NEVER, EVER getting anything completed.

Trust me, my website isn’t ready today but it’s ready enough!

You’ve been patient to read this far. So without any further delay, here it is.

The RX For Procrastination In 3 Simple Words: PUT IT OFF!

I chuckled when I heard this. In fact, the funny thing about this is I was listening to a training webinar by my coach, JeffHerring.com

Those 3 words resonated with me. I typed in the chat that this phrase would make a great T-shirt and that got Jeff to laugh too.

Rather than procrastinate, I stayed up late that night and created this graphic.

Daily Doable: I could say a lot more about this, AND I WILL, but for now, I want this phrase to really sink in. Whatever is holding you back from acting today, STOP IT! Put it off and Do What You Can Now!

If you enjoyed this Inspire Point, I would like to invite you to read this story about giving yourself permission to act.

Take Action!

3 excuses why people don’t take action. And what to do instead.

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Or this story about my propensity for making lists.

Of Making Many Lists, There is No End?

Confessions from a recovering idea-hoarder and list-maker.

medium.com

This Inspire Point and Daily Doable were brought to you by Tim Maudlin. Please allow me to introduce myself.

Hi Neighbor!

Greetings from Tim Maudlin, your neighbor in Indiana.

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This story was originally published on my site at DoWhatYouCanNow.com