How Osteopaths Can Avoid Procrastination
- Alan Zaia M.Ost
- August 30, 2020
- Productivity
Avoid procrastination with this tried-and-tested ritual
If you want to decrease the amount of time it takes to really get your osteopathy business where you want it, you must avoid procrastination as much as possible.
Steven Pressfield wrote in his book The War Of Art: “Procrastination is the most common manifestation of resistance because it’s the easiest to rationalise.” Basically, we don’t say ‘I’ll never start organising my social media but instead we say “I’ll get started tomorrow”.
This gives you an almost immediate sense of relief and in some ways even makes you feel productive. The problem is that tomorrow never comes. No matter how many times you tell yourself that you’ll be more motivated, less tired or that you’ll get up early, it just doesn’t happen.
So, instead of parking the problem in the back of your mind like an unwanted Christmas gift at the back of your wardrobe, osteopaths can use it to avoid procrastination.
As always, if you’re seeking any help or further free resources, please feel free to contact us – hello@osteohustle.com
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An osteopaths ritual to avoid procrastination
Before we get into this, we understand that this is my ritual. I’ve suggested it to other osteopaths who have found it very successful, but they have put their own twist on it. It’s also vital to know that creating a long-lasting habit means you have to do it every day for 30 days. Therefore, if you’re thinking of doing this, really give it your all for a whole month. It’s truly worth it, promise.
Morning coffee
This 20-minute ritual for me starts at 5:30am. Why? Because it fits in with how my brain works and for other reasons we will go through soon. Coffee is my trigger. Because I do this literally every day, it’s now become an association I have with work and getting my mind ready for the day. I also pair this with a glass of ice-cold water because…health.
Handwritten to-do lists and The Bullet Journal Method
Yes, I’m going to take about The Bullet Journal Method again because it’s an absolute game-changer. However, having a handwritten to-do list is, in my opinion, a far superior option to using a note app on your phone. It’s tactile and helps remind me of the things I want to achieve on day by day basis.
I recommend writing down the 3 most important things to do that day. If you have something to do that cannot be done in a day, don’t write it. Use a new page to pinpoint precisely what you need to do to achieve that more significant task. Something like social media cannot be conquered in 24 hours. Struggling with a plan? Contact us, and we can help you get the ball rolling.
Find space
Personally, stillness motivates me to work. Every day I make a point of getting up early and walking to the beach – a cup of sugarless black coffee in hand.
Parents? I get it. It’s hard to find space in a family home. A good pair of noise-cancelling headphone is the best thing you can gift yourself. Looking for a pair? I highly recommend these headphones. Not sure home is the right place to get work done? Why not stay another hour after work or go to the nearest coffee shop? I did this for 45-minutes after every Monday and Thursday shift and saw my productivity shoot through the roof! This method also allows you to keep work at work. Much nicer.
Isolate
Admittedly, this one is a bit strange considering the amount of isolation we’ve been through. However, this is arguably my most important tip and is essential to my ritual. Remember before about coffee, space, stillness? I do all of that alone. Whether you’re like me and wake up at 5am to watch the sunrise, or you stay a little longer after work. Do it. Whatever it takes and whenever you can. Find a gap in your calendar and fill it with this 20-minute ritual.
Written by Alan Zaia M.Ost
Founder & CEO of Osteohustle. You’ll find Alan coaching osteopaths, travelling in a van or writing our weekly newsletter, The Hustle.
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