The science behind Why starting tomorrow doesn't work and what to do about it | 10 tips

Why do we always say we'll start tomorrow? Why not today? It's a question we've all asked ourselves at one point. And it's one that scientists have studied. It turns out there's a reason why starting tomorrow never works out the way we plan.

Research has shown that our brains are wired to procrastinate. This is because of something called the "future self-continuity bias." Essentially, we believe that our future selves will be better versions of ourselves – more disciplined, more organized, and more able to follow through on our goals. As a result, we're more likely to put off tasks that require self-control, like going to the gym or eating healthy. We think our future selves will be able to handle it, so we don't need to worry about it today.

The problem is, of course, that our future selves are often just as busy and stressed as our present selves. We don't magically become more disciplined overnight. So when tomorrow comes around, we find ourselves in the same position we were in today – trying to motivate ourselves to start making changes.

If you're someone who's constantly putting off your goals until tomorrow, understand that you're not alone. It's a very common problem. But it's also a problem that you can overcome.

Here are 10 tips to help you get started:

1. Be realistic about your future self.

Remember that your future self is not going to be perfect. Don't be too hard on yourself - your future self is counting on you! It's important to be realistic about your future self and what you can reasonably achieve. What would your future self say to you if she could see you right now? Would she be proud of the choices you've made? Or would she be disappointed? It's important to be realistic about your future self and what she might say to you. After all, she's the one who's going to have to live with the consequences of your decisions!

Here are a few things your future self might say to you:

"I can't believe you're still smoking cigarettes! I thought you were going to quit when you turned 30."

"I'm so proud of you for taking that new job. It's not easy making a career change, but you did it!"

"I wish you had taken better care of your health. I know it's hard, but it's important to make time for exercise and healthy eating."

By being realistic about your future self, you can make better choices today that will lead to a happier, healthier life down the road. So don't forget to check in with her from time to time - she'll appreciate it!

2. Don't wait for the perfect time to start.

We've all been there. You have an idea for a business, project, or new venture, but you can't seem to get started. You tell yourself that you need to wait for the perfect time - when you have more money, experience, or knowledge. But the truth is, there is no perfect time. The only way to achieve our goals is to take the first step, even if imperfect.  Starting something new can be scary. We don't want to fail or make mistakes. But the only way to avoid failure is never to try - and that's not living. So what are you waiting for? It's time to take the leap and start chasing your dreams. With hard work and dedication, you can achieve anything you set your mind to. And who knows? Maybe your imperfect start will lead to greatness after all.

3. Start small.

Starting small is a powerful way to make big things happen. It's one of the fundamental principles of successful entrepreneurs and leaders. Why? Because when you start small, you're more likely to succeed. You're more likely to stick with it. When you start small, you're less likely to get overwhelmed and give up. That's because you're only committing to a small task or goal, which makes it more manageable and achievable. You can build momentum. Once you accomplish your first small goal, you'll feel a sense of accomplishment and motivation to keep going. This will help you build momentum and eventually achieve your big goals. You'll learn as you go. Each time you complete a small task, you'll learn something new that will help you in the future. This learning curve will eventually help you achieve your larger goals.

4. Set a deadline.

As any successful entrepreneur knows, setting a deadline is essential for getting things done. By giving yourself a specific date by which you need to complete a task, you create a sense of urgency that can help you to focus and stay on track.  But what is the science behind this effective technique? A recent study found that participants who were given a deadline were more likely to succeed than those who were not. The researchers believe that this is because deadlines help to motivate us by focusing our attention and energy on the task at hand. In addition, deadlines help to ensure that we allocate our time effectively and do not procrastinate.

5. Make a plan.

Like most people, you probably think making a plan is about setting goals and then taking action to achieve them. And while that's certainly part of it, there's much more to it. The science behind making a plan is quite fascinating, and understanding it can help you be more successful in achieving your goals.

Here's the thing: when you make a plan, you're essentially telling your brain what you want to achieve. And when you do that, your brain starts working on ways to help you achieve your goal. It's like when you tell yourself you're going to start exercising tomorrow - your brain starts working on a plan to make it happen. But there's a catch: your brain can only take so much information at any given time. So if you overwhelm it with too many goals or too much information, it won't be able to process it all and will start to shut down. That's why keeping your plans simple and focused on just a few key goals is important.

When you make a plan, you're also setting up what's known as a "mental model." This is a way for your brain to understand and process the information you're giving. And the more specific and concrete your mental model is, the better your brain will be at helping you achieve your goal. It's not enough to say you're going to start tomorrow. You need to have a plan for how you're going to make it happen. What steps will you take? What resources will you need?

6. Find an accountability partner.

One of the best ways to stay on track and achieve my goals is to have an accountability partner or coach. Having someone to check in with me regularly helps to keep me focused and motivated. Additionally, knowing that someone is counting on me to show up for our meetings helps me to stay disciplined and committed to my goals. If you are looking for a way to improve your productivity and stop waiting for tomorrow, I highly recommend finding an accountability partner or coach.

7. Remove distractions.

We all know the feeling of being pulled in a million different directions. Whether it's the constant ping of notifications, the never-ending stream of emails, or the distraction of our Twitter feed, it can be hard to focus on the task. But what if we could remove these distractions and reclaim our attention? By giving ourselves permission to focus on one thing at a time, we can more effectively use our limited brainpower to achieve our goals. And when we do allow ourselves to be distracted, we can use certain strategies, such as the Pomodoro technique, to minimize the disruption and get back on track. With a bit of effort, we can learn to control our attention and create the conditions for deep work. In an age of constant distraction, that's a powerful skill to have.

8. Take a break.

We've all been there before - feeling overwhelmed, procrastinating, feeling bogged down by work, with no end in sight. It can be tempting to push through and get as much done as possible. But is that the best strategy? According to science, the answer is no. Taking a break can help you be more productive in the long run. One study found that employees who took regular breaks were more productive than those who didn't. The study found that workers who took a break every 90 minutes were able to maintain their focus and concentration better than those who worked straight through. And it's not just employees who can benefit from taking a break - entrepreneurs and leadership can, too. A study of high-powered female leaders found that taking regular breaks was essential for maintaining their energy and productivity levels.

9. Reward yourself.

Give yourself a small reward after completing each task. This will help you feel motivated to keep going. You may be surprised at how quickly you start seeing results. Studies have shown that tangible rewards (such as a gold star or a certificate) are more motivating than intangible rewards (such as applause or praise). This is because tangible rewards provide a concrete representation of our achievements, which helps us to feel a sense of pride and accomplishment. In addition, tangible rewards can be used as reminders of our goals, keeping us focused on the task at hand. So the next time you're looking for a way to boost your productivity and take action, consider implementing a tangible reward system.

10. Be patient.

Changing your habits takes time. So be patient with yourself and don't expect to see results overnight. Just keep taking those small steps, and you'll get there eventually. The science backs this up: according to a study by Stanford University, it takes an average of 10 years to achieve expertise in any field. So if you're feeling impatient as you wait for your big break, remember that success takes time. And in the meantime, keep working hard and stay focused on your goal. With time and persistence, you'll eventually reach the top.

Conclusion: 

So, what can we do to ensure that we're not just setting ourselves up for disappointment when it comes to our goals? First and foremost, accept that starting tomorrow doesn't work. It never has, and it never will. When you understand this principle, you free yourself from the tyranny of perfectionism and the need to be perfect right now. You also open yourself up to taking action on your goal today, which is where real progress happens. Give yourself permission to mess up and start again tomorrow. And finally, arm yourself with the tools you need to persevere in the face of setbacks. We hope the resilience toolkit we've put together will help you on your journey. Remember, it's not about being perfect; it's about getting back up when you fall. So what are you waiting for? Let's go get into action!

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