The little lies told to not get sh*t done.~

 "Procrastination is the art of keeping up with yesterday."
~Don Marquis

Out of  the "seven deadly sins", sloth is the one I am most guilty of. Over the years I have perfected my techniques of procrastination up to a point where - if it weren't for a lot of self-reflection and working on contra-procrastination-methods - I wouldn't get anything done at all.

To be fair, some of my little excuses my mind comes up with to justify doing something else or nothing productive at all are really good - much like a fish wiggling it's way out of a net. Once I realized what my mind was doing, I decided to take control, analyze those justifications and then understand that they are no true obstacle.
I've tried to compile a list featuring excuses that I tend to use, but also some, that I think everyone can relate to up t a certin extent:

1. I don't have time.
   Whilst it is true that some of us are busier than others, we all have the same amount of hours in a day. If you don't have time for something, then truly it is not important enough for you to prioritize it (because we still do have time for things like strolling about on the internet or the tv, don't we? *winks*)
   
2. Just this once.
   It usually doesn't stay with "just one more chapter", "just five more minutes of break" or "one more sponful of pudding although you are allergic but oh it tastes so nice." I usually combat this one by setting very strict schedules for myself, for when I want to get things done, measured by either time (25min studying, 5min break, repeat) or by content (summarizing one set of slides, 5min break, repeat). Writing it down helps a lot and you are more likely to actually stic to it than if you plan is just inside your head.
   
3. This is okay, because....
   This one is an upgraded version of excuse No2. Whilst with "Just this once" you are aware that you kind of shouldn't be doing something, "this is okay because..." takes it to the next level by finding some form of justification as to why it is alright. Sometimes this justification is so called "bullshit-knowledge" that you make up yourself or are willing to believe if it serves your cause (although deep down you know it's not true - like "it is scientifically much more effective to study for 15 mins and then have 1hr break because in these 15mins I get more stuff done because I am mor focused").
   Taking the shortcut is usually already a warning sign for procrastination (unless it is reallyyy more productive, then by all means!), but if you are not willing to check if this shortcut is actually more productive, that is when you know you are lying to yourself.
4. I'll do it tomorrow / when the new semester starts / when I have my new car / ...
   No you won't.
   
   Sometimes it is motivation boosting to mimick a fresh start by actually starting with something new on a time that we associate with new beginnings, like new year, mondays, new moons, etc. However, it is important to define, wether you just want to buy yourself some extra time (and possibly keep postponing your work), or if setting a certain time for a new beginning actually serves a personal purpose for you (and if maybe you can start already anyways, because then you will have a wee headstart at the time you wanted to begin in the first place *puts on sunglasses*)
   
   
   
5. I can't do it.
   It is quite crazy how often we don't get things done because we already expect failure or because we know it's hard. When that is already certain, it is even more important to begin on time. Breaking the big goal into small pieces that are doable is a nifty strategy, as well as making a plan where you can keep track of your process.
   And I know it's said too often by everyone, but try to think positive. It might seem hard now, but that goes for everything we have yet to learn and accomplish.
   
6. This is SO important right now.
   Doing something else you should have done instead of doing what you are supposed to do right now. Enough said.
   
7. Just not starting at all.Let's be real. Most of the times, something fails, because we don't even begin. This one ties in a little bit into No4, but not as a rule.
   It is always better to do a bare minimu that seems pathetic, than nothing at all. If you go running for two minutes every day, that is already more than if you didn't go out at all and chances are you will keep doing it for longer than just those two minutes anyways :)
   
   

~*What do you think? Did I miss one? (And can you guess which excuses I tend to use?)*~