How To Create Unstoppable Momentum

Procrastination isn't a time management problem – it's an emotional regulation problem.

Dear Reader,

You've been putting off the work that would change your life.

I get it.

We all do. But here's the truth: procrastination isn't just wasted time – it's a symptom of misaligned priorities and fractured attention.

The ancient Stoics didn't have Instagram or Netflix, but they understood human nature better than most modern psychologists. They knew why we delay, avoid, and sabotage ourselves.

Here is their solution:

The Stoic Approach To Getting Things Done

1. Memento Mori: Remember Death

Sounds dark, but it's the ultimate productivity hack.

The Stoics practiced "memento mori" – constant awareness of mortality – not to be morbid, but to create urgency.

Marcus Aurelius wrote in his journal every morning: "You could leave life right now."

When you truly internalize that your time is finite, suddenly:

• Scrolling becomes ridiculous

• Excuses evaporate

• The work becomes necessary

Ask yourself: "If I died tomorrow, would I be proud of how I spent today?"

2. Dichotomy of Control

Epictetus taught that some things are in our control, others aren't.

What's in your control?

• Your focus

• Your effort

• Your attitude

What's not?

• The outcome

• External validation

• The perfect conditions

Procrastinators wait for motivation, inspiration, the right mood.

Stoic performers act regardless of feeling, knowing that action precedes motivation – not the other way around.

3. Voluntary Discomfort

Seneca would regularly practice voluntary hardship – sleeping on the floor, wearing basic clothes, eating simple food.

Why? To harden himself against difficulty.

Modern translation: deliberately do hard things to build your resistance to discomfort.

• Cold showers

• Fasting

• Deep work sessions with no distractions

When you train yourself to embrace discomfort, starting difficult tasks becomes easier.

The 3-Step Stoic Productivity System

Here's how to implement this ancient wisdom into your modern life:

Step 1: Morning Reflection

Take 10 minutes each morning to:

• Visualize your death (sounds extreme, works extremely well)

• Identify the 1-3 tasks that would make today meaningful

• Acknowledge potential distractions and decide how you'll handle them

Step 2: The Focus Block

Create unbreakable 90-minute focus blocks:

• No phone

• No social media

• No distractions

Set a timer. Work with intense focus. Then rest.

The Stoics valued deep work before "deep work" was a concept. They understood that excellence requires undivided attention.

Step 3: Evening Review

End each day by asking:

• Did I do what mattered most?

• Where did I waste time?

• What will I improve tomorrow?

This self-accountability loop creates continuous improvement.

Final Thoughts

Procrastination isn't a time management problem – it's an emotional regulation problem.

We avoid tasks because they trigger uncomfortable feelings:

• Fear of failure

• Perfectionism

• Overwhelm

The Stoics mastered their emotions not by suppressing them, but by facing them directly.

Do the same.

Feel the resistance, acknowledge it, and act anyway.

Your future self will thank you.

Remember: The obstacle is the way.

Sincerely,

SP