[U]Finish What You Start -
Peter Hollins

Index:

  1. Stop thinking, just execute
  2. Staying hungry
  3. Create a manifesto
  4. Follow-through mindsets
  5. The science of smashing procrastination
  6. No distraction zone
  7. Deadly pitfalls
  8. Daily systems for success
  1. Stop thinking, just execute

Following through
(combines of)

self-discipline (the spine)

action (the hands and feet)

focus (the head)

persistence (the heart)

direct actions toward achieving vision

guide thoughts in figuring out how to follow through

retain focus on what need to be done
despite the temptations & distractions

prioritize execution & simple motion

is the visible aspect the can be observed, measured & evaluated

without it
-> plans remain abstract
& goals remain dreams

firmly stick to something for a prolonged period of time

Why don't we follow through?

inhibiting tactics:
misuse time & effort

setting bad goals

procrastination

too abstract or downright impossible goals

to high or unrealistic goals

delay work until the very last minute

endless planning: lack of specific deadline for each task

temptations and distractions

lack the know-how to properly deal with them

poor time management

not mean lack of time, but use time not
productively

not only scheduling tasks, but also judging task priorities

lack of planning, organization, focus, and self-discipline

psychological roadblocks
unconscious mechanisms in our psyches that act as
barriers to following through

fear of judgment, rejection, and failure

perfectionism out of insecurity

laziness and lack of discipline

lack of self-awareness

be in inactive state because willpower and discipline are not turned on

"we can’t be evaluated or judged, we also can’t be rejected"

fear and insecurity of not being good enough

seem working hard toward goals, but not achieve they at the end

not knowing our true capacities, we remain convinced that we will never make it, even if we tried

don’t even realize we’ve fallen into the trap of stagnation (trì hoãn)

What if we do follow through?

increase productivity, maximize every opportunity, and realize our fullest potentials

and more

  1. Staying hungry

Problem: always think of positive things, but no plan for negative ones

Lack of drive because of disconnection among

positive benefits we receive

negative consequences we can avoid

what the things we care about represent

Motivators

External

accountability partner/ group
(group give more motivation)

putting money down

perform our case for not following through

we DON'T want to get negative feedback
or let these ppl down

chide(scold) us when we want to give up

fear of losing/wasting money

self-bribery (treo thưởng)

promise ourselves a reward if follow through

Internal

better > external,
because we can "nhờn" to external motivators

Some questions for self-motivating

What am I getting out of this?

How will my life change or benefit?

How will other people benefit?

What positive emotions will I get?

How will my actions lead to my long-term and short-term goals?

Understand opportunity cost

Everything is a trade-off:
spend money, time, effort -> achieve goals

Some sacrifice upset us and make us give up

Proposal solutions

make stronger motivation

make sacrifice smaller

Keep motivation in mind

Motivation works best when it often reminded

Write motivation down, stick on visible places

Motivation phrase should use all 5 senses for better effect

Change & switch them periodically
to avoid getting used to them & forgetting them

  1. Create a manifesto
    (set of rules)

Rules

Rule 1
evaluate ourselves

Rule 4
reaffirm our intention

Rule 3
identify limitations and requirements

Rule 5
think in terms of 10-10-10

Rule 2
3 tasks max

Rule 6
just 10 min

self ask if laziness or fear is holding us back from action.
If not, would I be giving up?

being overwhelmed or disorganized can kill the progress

differentiate between important vs urgent things:
IMPORTANT > URGENT in priority

set 5 daily-

limitations:
things should not do

requirements:
things must do

write them down & stick in visible places

self remind what our intentions are
& why we want to achieve them

"I want..." + our motivation/goals

"I will... " + how to achieve goals

"I won't..." + things should not do

face a temptation, STOP & ASK
How we will feel if we do that
10 min, 10 h, 10 days from now

want something harmful to our follow through
-> wait at least 10min before getting it

Moreover, want to quit progress
-> wait 10 min before quit

no more temptation: we overcome it

temptation still exist -> think of take another 10min

  1. Follow-through mindset

Mindset 2
Comfort with discomfort

Mindset 4
De-stress

Mindset 3
Allow learning

Mindset 1
It's worthwide (important)

understand our hard work will lead to some results

following through is never comfortable

change is always uncomfortable, but is a magical formula for success

do more uncomfortable things -> the more comfortable with disconfort

Following through and finish are good ways for learning & self evaluation

get skill, knowledge

experience issues, get proposal solutions

Be aware and take proactive measures to modulate stress levels

Just enough stress.
Too much will make us tired and fatigued

  1. The science of smashing procrastination

Beginning

Imagine future achievement will pleased us, but doing a task at present may be a pain

Temptation bundling (bó, gộp)

Pair obligations with instantaneous rewards

"If following through is rough, why not make it enjoyable?"

Eg.

  • working out while watching TV
  • coding while listening to music

Small, easy increments

2 key parts

break tasks into smaller, more manageable steps

start with the easiest task first

Consider risks

fear -> motivation

just use a small fear since if too much will lead to stressful & damage working spirit

  1. No distraction zone

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