Hey guys,
We all procrastinate from time to time and today I want to share with you a simple technique you can use to get back on track.
I call it “Resistance Analysis”.
This is one of many, but I keep coming back to it recently because I find it so useful.So here it is:
Resistance Analysis
Pick an area where you have been procrastinating. In my case it’s improving my Spanish.
Then get in touch with the resistance you are feeling towards working on that area. Write down each reason why you don’t feel like doing it right now – it shouldn’t take you more than 5 minutes.
Personally, I like to note it down on a piece of paper in these box shapes you see on the right. I find it helps me visualize the resistance I’m feeling as obstacles. The goal is to remove the boxes so you get from point A to point B in a straight line.
My reasons for procrastinating are:
- I have a base vocabulary but I find learning more generic vocabulary a bit boring at the moment.
- I want to speak more Spanish but don’t know who with and don’t want to t
ake online lessons. - I want to read more in Spanish, but got bored of the Spanish Harry Potter b
ook I started a while ago.
These are the reasons I can think of from the top of my head. There is no limit, just drop down the ones that come to mind.
Now, instead of using willpower to try and power through the resistance, let’s instead address it.
So I ask myself:
How can I make learning more vocabulary fun?
How can I speak Spanish more often without taking online lessons?
Can I replace Harry Potter with a Spanish book that I’d be excited to pick up?
After googling around a bit I found this video of Spanish phrases from the Netflix series Narcos:
I always thought the character of Pablo Escobar had some boss Spanish quotes in this series. Learning them sounds like fun to me, as it would be great drunk conversational material and a way to pick up some Spanish slang.
Next I came across a Spanish cookbook called “El Gran Libro De La Cocina Española”. I’ve recently been interested in cooking so it kills to birds with one stone. I also found a podcast called Coffee Break Spanish, which I can listen to on my iPhone while working out.
Lastly I don’t know how I could speak Spanish more often without taking lessons. I don’t feel like taking lessons, so I just skip that one for now.
The result:
By addressing my resistance, it disappeared.
I’ve been using this “Resistance Analysis” with lots of stuff recently. It doesn’t require any willpower and gets you back into taking action quickly.
Anyways – that was it. I hope you found this technique useful. If you liked the article please share it using the buttons below and if you have any feedback leave it in the comment section.
Thanks.
Until next time,
Felix
Leave a Reply