Get Things Done!

Romans 12:10-12 says: "Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another; Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;" Our quote for today is from Jim Rohn. He said: "Discipline is the bridge between goals and accomplishment." Today, in the Get Things Done podcast we are looking at Part 2 of Step 8: "Use the Reinforcement Principle". Q: Some people would argue that it's demeaning to "bribe" yourself to do something that you know you should do anyway. Shouldn't the satisfaction of a job well-done be reward enough? It often is. For many people the knowledge that they will earn self-satisfaction is sufficient motivation to get them to perform a distasteful task at the appropriate time. Such people have learned to utilize the most important reinforcer of all and are to be commended—if everyone were like them there would be no such thing as procrastination, a book like this one would

Psalm 90:17 says: "And let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us: and establish thou the work of our hands upon us; yea, the work of our hands establish thou it." Our quote for today is from Samuel Butler. He said: "If we attend continually and promptly to the little that we can do, we shall ere long be surprised to find how little remains that we cannot do." Today, in the Get Things Done podcast we are looking at Part 1 of Step 8: "Use the Reinforcement Principle". Q: You have emphasized the power of self-discipline. But how do you make sure that when you discipline yourself to do something it isn't just a one-time thing? In other words, how do you build single actions into habit patterns, so that procrastination is less likely in the future? You do it by using the principle of reinforcement. Behavioral scientists have demonstrated that whenever a behavior occurs, the likelihood of it occurring again is strongly influenced by whatever happens immediately afterward. If the subsequent event is pleasant, th

Ecclesiastes 2:24 says: "There is nothing better for a man, than that he should eat and drink, and that he should make his soul enjoy good in his labour. This also I saw, that it was from the hand of God." Our quote for today is from Samuel Butler. He said: "If we attend continually and promptly to the little that we can do, we shall ere long be surprised to find how little remains that we cannot do." Today, in the Get Things Done podcast we are looking at Part 3 of Step 7: "Establish an Action Environment". Having the necessary tools and materials close at hand and ready for action minimizes procrastination. For most tasks, gathering the necessary tools and materials is the vital first step. Nothing happens until you have the resources close at hand. Having everything organized. In a workshop, that may mean having a neat and orderly workbench with all tools in their allotted spaces and a clear space for the new project. In an office, a tidy desk, free of any extraneous materials, is generally an invitation t

As we begin, let me give you this reminder from the Word of God. Psalm 37:5 says: "Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass."   Our quote for today is from Ralph Marston. He said: "What you do today can improve all your tomorrows."   Today, in the Get Things Done podcast we are looking at Part 2 of Step 7: "Establish an Action Environment".   Q: You also mentioned that having things organized will help reduce the temptation to procrastinate. Exactly what did you mean by that?   I mean that it important to avoid clutter in the workplace.   A neat, orderly workbench, with each tool hanging in its allotted space, is an invitation to get busy, whereas a jumbled aggregation of wrenches, pipes, hammers, clamps, wire, files, pliers, sandpaper, and half-finished projects stifles enthusiasm and encourages delay and diversion.   The same is true in an office. A tidy desk encourages concentration; a disheveled one is a psychological roadblock.   ...

As we begin, let me give you this reminder from the Word of God. Proverbs 22:29 says: "Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men."   Our quote for today is from Dale Carnegie. He said: "Inaction breeds doubt and fear. Action breeds confidence and courage. If you want to conquer fear, do not sit home and think about it. Go out and get busy. "   Today, in the Get Things Done podcast we are looking at Part 1 of Step 7: "Establish an Action Environment".   Q: To what extent does the physical environment affect procrastination?   In many cases, it plays a key role; in others it's a minor factor. But it will always encourage or discourage action to some degree, so it must be considered.   Q: What environmental factors are most important in preventing procrastination?   Two of the most important considerations are (1) to have the necessary tools and materials at hand, and (2) to have them organized.   ...

As we begin, let me give you this reminder from the Word of God. Proverbs 18:9 says: "He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster."   Our quote for today is from Philip Stanhope. He said: "Know the true value of time; snatch, seize, and enjoy every moment of it. No idleness, no laziness, no procrastination: never put off till tomorrow what you can do today."   Today, in the Get Things Done podcast we are looking at Part 7 of Step 6: "Get Tough With Yourself".   It's true that our grandparents sometimes carried self-denial and self-restraint too far, and it's easy to find examples we could identify as extreme. But reactions to excess are often excessive, and it's unfortunate that the so-called “culture of narcissism” has completely replaced, for many people, the robust self-mastery proclaimed by Rudyard Kipling:   If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew To serve your turn long after they are gone, And so hold on when there is nothing in you Except the Will which says t

Acts 20:35 says: "I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive." Our quote for today is from Jack Canfield. He said: "You don't have to get it perfect, you just have to get it going. Babies don't walk the first time they try, but eventually they get it right." Today, in the Get Things Done podcast we are looking at Part 4 of Step 6: "Get Tough With Yourself". Q: Do psychologists recommend “flexing” the will regularly? Indeed they do. One who emphasized this concept many years ago was William James, who put it this way: “Keep alive in yourself the faculty of making efforts by means of little useless exercises every day, that is to say, be systematically heroic every day in little unnecessary things; do something every other day, for the sole and simple reason that it is difficult and you would prefer not to do it, so that when the cruel hour of danger strikes, you will not b

Ephesians 5:15-16 says: "See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil." Our quote for today is from Vishwas Chavan. He said: "If every citizen can get rid of the indiscipline syndrome, we have immense potential to build more productive, conflict-free, harmonious and peaceful communities, societies, cities, nations and world." Today, in the Get Things Done podcast we are looking at Part 3 of Step 6: "Get Tough With Yourself". Q: You recommend doing difficult things not just for the intrinsic benefit involved, but because they provide practice in self-discipline? Correct. Each time you perform a difficult act -- or resist a temptation -- you make it easier to do so in the future. In the words of Hamlet, Refrain tonight,And that shall lend a kind of easinessTo the next abstinence; the next more easy;For use can almost change the stamp of nature… Q: So you would compare willpower to a muscle, which grows either stronger or weaker, depending upon whe

Ecclesiastes 2:24 says: "There is nothing better for a man, than that he should eat and drink, and that he should make his soul enjoy good in his labour. This also I saw, that it was from the hand of God." Our quote for today is from Roy Bennett. He said: "Don't let procrastination take over your life. Be brave and take risks. Your life is happening right now." Today, in the Get Things Done podcast we are looking at Part 2 of Step 6: "Get Tough With Yourself". Q: All of the advice you're giving out presupposes that the person involved has enough willpower to carry out your suggestions. But, unfortunately, willpower is often in short supply – especially for the typical procrastinator. How can one cope with a lack of willpower? You have to learn to be tough with yourself. Q: That's easily said, but it isn't really very helpful. A person who knows how to be “tough” with himself probably doesn't lack willpower, and doesn't procrastinate. What's the answer for the millions who don't have whatever it takes to exerc

Proverbs 18:9 says: "He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster." Our quote for today is from Philip Stanhope. He said: "Know the true value of time; snatch, seize, and enjoy every moment of it. No idleness, no laziness, no procrastination: never put off till tomorrow what you can do today." Today, in the Get Things Done podcast we are looking at Part 1 of Step 6: "Get Tough With Yourself". Many people consider themselves to have no willpower or ability to overcome procrastination. In making this assumption, they sell themselves short. When a crisis strikes, most people have vast reserves of an ability to overcome adversity. Most achievers are simply ordinary people who to put forth extraordinary effort without the urging of another person. They have developed exceptional willpower by practice and effort until they reach the point at which they can call for an exceptional effort on a regular basis. Then and only then are they in a situation to achieve something very challeng

Proverbs 22:29 says: "Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men." Our quote for today is from Babe Ruth. He said: "It's hard to beat a person who never gives up." Today, in the Get Things Done podcast we are looking at Part 7 of Step 5: "Raise Your Energy Level." Today, we will conclude our look at some physical and psychological factors that can affect our desire to work. Edwin Bliss writes: If you are one of the countless millions of people whose procrastination problems are caused -- or intensified -- by chronic fatigue, then doing something about this infirmity should be your top priority project. Don't arbitrarily rule out medical reasons -- that's a job for a physician. How long has it been since your last checkup? Have you discussed your chronic fatigue with your doctor? Remember, it may be symptomatic of a number of ailments, so be sure to mention it. And if you're overdue for a checkup, can you think of a better time than this moment to

Psalm 37:5 says: "Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass." Our quote for today is from David Allen. He said: "Your mind is for having ideas, not holding them." Today, in the Get Things Done podcast we are looking at Part 6 of Step 5: "Raise Your Energy Level." We have discussed exercise, relaxation, proper diet, and posture as ways of increasing our energy levels to ward off procrastination. Our attitudes and emotions also affect our energy level. Let’s talk about how to handle these psychological factors. Edwin Bliss writes: You can make yourself tired just by dreading some frustrating or tedious task. This happens especially when you habitually turn your thoughts inward -- when you are pre-occupied with how you will feel while doing the task, with your aches and pains and discomforts -- instead of focusing your attention on the task itself. This pseudo-fatigue cannot be cured by mollycoddling yourself and postponing the job: it is cured by action. Getting involved in

John 5:15-17 says: "The man departed, and told the Jews that it was Jesus, which had made him whole. And therefore did the Jews persecute Jesus, and sought to slay him, because he had done these things on the sabbath day. But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work." Our quote for today is from Michael Landon Jr. He said: "Somebody should tell us, right at the start of our lives, that we are dying. Then we might live life to the limit, every minute of every day. Do it! I say. Whatever you want to do, do it now! There are only so many tomorrows." Today, in the Get Things Done podcast we are looking at Part 5 of Step 5: "Raise Your Energy Level." We have discussed exercise, relaxation, and proper diet as ways of increasing our energy levels to ward off procrastination. Doing drugs is another activity that can sap our energy, and that is what we will talk about today. Edwin Bliss writes: Marijuana is another substance that promotes procrastination. The only reason this aspect of pot isn't men

Psalm 128:2 says: "For thou shalt eat the labour of thine hands: happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee." Our quote for today is from Pablo Picasso. He said: "Only put off until tomorrow what you are willing to die having left undone." Today, in the Get Things Done podcast we are looking at Part 4 of Step 5: "Raise Your Energy Level." We've discussed exercise and relaxation as methods of fighting procrastination. The third physical aspect that we will deal with is diet. It's a big subject, one we won't go into in depth, but suffice it to say that so far as fatigue is concerned one big culprit is sugar. Most of us eat many times as much sugar as we should. Lots of people think sugar is supposed to produce energy, but it just isn't true ­­ at least not in the way they think. Every week the average American eats more than two pounds of refined sugar, much of it hidden as an ingredient in various manufactured foods (one popular brand of ketchup is 29% sugar!) If eating refined sugar really produced e

Acts 20:35 says: "I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive." Our quote for today is from Dale Carnegie. He said: "The best possible way to prepare for tomorrow is to concentrate with all your intelligence, all your enthusiasm, on doing today's work superbly today. That is the only possible way you can prepare for the future." Today, in the Get Things Done podcast we are looking at Part 3 of Step 5: “Raise Your Energy Level" by "Doing It Now: A Twelve Step Program for Curing Procrastination and Achieving Your Goals" by Edwin C. Bliss. We have already talked about exercise being one of three factors that we can use in combating fatigue. Relaxation is the second factor. Just giving lip service to the value of relaxation ­­ which we all do ­­ isn't enough. And it's not enough, either, to plop down in front of the television set for an hour or two every evening with a beer i

Ephesians 4:28 says: "Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth." Our quote for today is from Philip Stanhope. He said: "Know the true value of time; snatch, seize, and enjoy every moment of it. No idleness, no laziness, no procrastination: never put off till tomorrow what you can do today." Today, in the Get Things Done podcast we are looking at Part 2 of Step 5: "Raise Your Energy Level." Edwin Bliss writes: When it comes to boosting your energy level, programmed exercise is only part of the story. There is also the matter of getting the kind of physical activity during the working day that will prevent fatigue. People with sedentary jobs often get too little activity at their work and consequently become lethargic. We weren't designed to work at a desk or a machine or a computer screen for eight hours at a stretch. These prolonged periods of immobility cause the blood to stagnate in the large mus

Ephesians 5:15-16 says: "See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil." Our quote for today is from Karen Lamb. She said: "A year from now you may wish you had started today." Today, in the Get Things Done podcast we are beginning Step 5: “Raise Your Energy Level.”  A person may have a clear idea of what needs to be done and a firm intention of doing it only to find that physical exhaustion causes repeated postponement. Fatigue is one of the most common causes of procrastination. Fatigue from normal physical exertion is a natural, healthy response, but it tends to be short-­lived. Once your body bounces back, you experience an abundance of energy. But chronic fatigue ­­ the kind that gives rise to procrastination­­ is a malady, and unless it is dealt with, it will thwart your efforts to get things done. ...

Ephesians 4:28 says: "Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth." Our quote for today is from Ambrose Bierce. He said: "A person who doubts himself is like a man who would enlist in the ranks of his enemies and bear arms against himself. He makes his failure certain by himself being the first person to be convinced of it." Today, in the Get Things Done podcast we are continuing with part 4 of our series titled, "Overcoming the Fear of Success".  How do you distinguish between genuine inadequacy and low self-esteem? I wish there were some kind of litmus test that could be used to determine the difference, because it's the central question every person faces in deciding whether to try for any ambitious goal: "Do I have what it takes, or don't I?" No one can answer that question for you. Sometimes you can't answer it for yourself, either, until you've attempted the task and risked the possibility of ge

Galatians 6:9 says: "And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not." Our quote for today is from Denis Waitley. He said: "Procrastination is the fear of success. People procrastinate because they are afraid of the success that they know will result if they move ahead now. Because success is heavy, carries a responsibility with it, it is much easier to procrastinate and live on the 'someday I'll do it' philosophy." Today, in the Get Things Done podcast we are continuing with part 3 of our series titled, “Overcoming the Fear of Success”. Caution and fear of success are totally different things. It is prudent, of course, to avoid unnecessary risk and to set attainable goals (which presumably would not include such feats as flying near the sun on wax wings). But having established attainable goals, you should strive wholeheartedly to attain them. You should not be held back by procrastination -- or any other self-defeating behavior -- in order to hinder your progress towa

Isaiah 41:13 says: "For I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee." Our quote for today is from Michael Jordan. He said: "I've missed more than 9000 shots in my career. I've lost almost 300 games. 26 times, I've been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I've failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed." Today, in the Get Things Done podcast we are continuing with part 2 of our series titled, “Overcoming the Fear of Success”.  Any time you put your problem into the Fear of Success pigeonhole, it's time to sit down and have a long heart-to-heart chat with yourself -- or with your therapist. You're being torn by conflicting pressures. You are unsure of your goals, since the things you've been telling yourself you want aren't what you really want, in view of the price involved. To use a term that's in vogue among psychologists these days, you're not being "authentic" in your dealings with yourself. And procrastination is ne