PROCRASTINATION AND POLYPLOYTATION

I don’t really suffer from procrastination, and never have. I actually suffer from what might be called the opposite condition, what I call Polyploytation, and it’s related malady, Mission Creep.

We are probably all familiar with Mission Creep so there’s no need to define that term.

Polyploytation is the habit of taking on far too many projects in a short or restricted period of time which of course means all such projects tend to interfere with one another (at some point) thereby inevitably restricting your overall productivity and efficiency at any given endeavour.

At its very worst it even prevents you from ever really achieving any of your ultimate end goals because each new goal interferes with accomplishing and finishing any and all previous goals.

For instance I might be trying to complete a song, a short story, a chapter in one of my novels, run an experiment, work a case, write something for a client, do an analysis, and work on an invention all within a one to two week period. That’s not even to mention personal obligations such as homeschooling my children or clearing land or repairing something around the house. A virtual impossibility and a terrific scattering of concentration and achievement.

Some people nowadays would say it is related to multitasking (though multitasking is an incredibly inaccurate term for even that concept, and a really idiotic misnomer for an idiotic idea and process) although polyploytation is not in any real way related to multitasking.

Polyploytation is really a dilution, dissolution, and dissipation of achievement by attempting to do far too many important things in far too short a period of time. That has been my lifelong problem and only in the past ten years or so have I begun to master it and only recently have I truly mastered it.

The secret to mastering polyploytation is to allow yourself to attempt and finish only one important enterprise or “ploy” at a time and to set and fulfill very regimented and rigid timelines of operation. Each ploy is worked separately and with a definite and well regulated set of time-frames for the beginning, middle, and end of each project. You finish one ploy before attempting another.

Then when other devices, ideas, inventions, projects, and ploys appear in your mind (and if you are like me they inevitably and often will) you simply make notes and sketches about them and then store those new ploys out of the way until you finish your current ploy. At that time you can consider which new ploy to undertake. It seems in theory a simple habit to master, and it is in actual practice, but if you are like me and a lifelong poly-ployter this is a habit which takes a long time to fully master. Nevertheless it can be done with self-discipline, determination, and focus upon your new habit. Which I call Uniploytation.

So that was my problem and how I conquered it.

Some people though do have a genuine problem with procrastination. My wife is this way and she is now only slowly working her way out of that miresome morass. As I had to work my way out of the meandering Wilderness of Polyploytation.

If you are by nature a procrastinator then here is a very good little article on a simple method of habit change which will conquer habitual procrastination.

For are we all not merely the self-established victims of our own inferior habits until we decide the break the yoke of them?

How to Stop Procrastinating by Using the “2-Minute Rule”

by James Clear

Recently, I’ve been following a simple rule that is helping me crush procrastination and making it easier for me to stick to good habits at the same time.I want to share it with you today so that you can try it out and see how it works in your life.The best part? It’s a simple strategy that couldn’t be easier to use.

Here’s what you need to know…

How to Stop Procrastinating With the “2–Minute Rule”

I call this little strategy the “2–Minute Rule” and the goal is to make it easier for you to get started on the things you should be doing.

Here’s the deal…

Most of the tasks that you procrastinate on aren’t actually difficult to do — you have the talent and skills to accomplish them — you just avoid starting them for one reason or another.

The 2–Minute Rule overcomes procrastination and laziness by making it so easy to start taking action that you can’t say no.

There are two parts to the 2–Minute Rule…

Part 1 — If it takes less than two minutes, then do it now.

Part I comes from David Allen’s bestselling book, Getting Things Done.

It’s surprising how many things we put off that we could get done in two minutes or less. For example, washing your dishes immediately after your meal, tossing the laundry in the washing machine, taking out the garbage, cleaning up clutter, sending that email, and so on.

If a task takes less than two minutes to complete, then follow the rule and do it right now.

Part 2 — When you start a new habit, it should take less than two minutes to do.

Can all of your goals be accomplished in less than two minutes? Obviously not.

But, every goal can be started in 2 minutes or less. And that’s the purpose behind this little rule.

It might sound like this strategy is too basic for your grand life goals, but I beg to differ. It works for any goal because of one simple reason: the physics of real life.

The Physics of Real Life

As Sir Isaac Newton taught us a long time ago, objects at rest tend to stay at rest and objects in motion tend to stay in motion. This is just as true for humans as it is for falling apples.

The 2–Minute Rule works for big goals as well as small goals because of the inertia of life. Once you start doing something, it’s easier to continue doing it. I love the 2–Minute Rule because it embraces the idea that all sorts of good things happen once you get started.

Want to become a better writer? Just write one sentence (2–Minute Rule), and you’ll often find yourself writing for an hour.

Want to eat healthier? Just eat one piece of fruit (2–Minute Rule), and you’ll often find yourself inspired to make a healthy salad as well.

Want to make reading a habit? Just read the first page of a new book (2–Minute Rule), and before you know it, the first three chapters have flown by.

Want to run three times a week? Every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, just get your running shoes on and get out the door (2–Minute Rule), and you’ll end up putting mileage on your legs instead of popcorn in your stomach.

The most important part of any new habit is getting started — not just the first time, but each time. It’s not about performance, it’s about consistently taking action. In many ways, getting started is more important than succeeding. This is especially true in the beginning because there will be plenty of time to improve your performance later on.

The 2–Minute Rule isn’t about the results you achieve, but rather about the process of actually doing the work. It works really well for people who believe that the system is more important than the goal. The focus is on taking action and letting things flow from there.

Try It Now

I can’t guarantee whether or not the 2–Minute Rule will work for you. But, I can guarantee that it will never work if you never try it.

The problem with most articles you read, podcasts you listen to, or videos you watch is that you consume the information but never put it into practice.

I want this article to be different. I want you to actually use this information, right now.

What’s something you can do that will take you less than two minutes? Do it right now.

Anyone can spare the next 120 seconds. Use this time to get one thing done. Go.