Build with Leila Hormozi: Episode 225 - My System For Beating Procrastination
In Episode 225 of "Build with Leila Hormozi," host Leila Hormozi delves deep into the pervasive issue of procrastination, unveiling her proprietary three-step framework to conquer it. Leveraging her vast experience of scaling businesses to $100 million by age 28 and managing a $500 million portfolio, Leila shares actionable insights aimed at helping entrepreneurs and professionals build unshakeable businesses. This detailed summary captures the essence of her discussion, enriched with notable quotes and structured for clarity.
Introduction: The Power of Systems Over Talent
Leila sets the stage by emphasizing that her extraordinary success isn't attributed to innate talent or intelligence but to the systems she established to consistently overcome procrastination.
"I achieve this not because I'm special, not because I'm talented, not because I'm intelligent, but because I created a system to constantly beat procrastination."
[00:00]
She promises to unveil her three-step framework designed to help anyone "get shit done no matter what."
Step 1: Understanding the Root of Procrastination
Experiential Avoidance: The Core Issue
Procrastination, according to Leila, often stems from experiential avoidance—avoiding short-term discomfort that leads to long-term harm.
"The reason that most people procrastinate is actually experiential avoidance."
[Transcript Segment]
She illustrates this with her personal struggle during the early days of building Gym Launch, where despite having content ready for podcasts and YouTube, fear of judgment prevented her from publishing.
"I was avoiding it because I was scared of what strangers on the Internet would say."
[Bear Lake Reflection]
The Vicious Cycle of Avoidance
Leila explains that avoiding tasks not only delays progress but also increases anxiety, making future tasks even harder.
"Procrastination is not the problem, rather it's the solution you are using to solve a problem."
[Avoidance Consequences]
Step 2: Identifying the Emotions Fueling Procrastination
Leila introduces the concept of the "three-headed monster of procrastination," encompassing Anxiety, Rebellion, and Boredom.
1. Anxiety
Anxiety is the most common driver of procrastination. It represents the discomfort associated with facing fears or uncertainties.
"If you're anything like me, I could tell you what you could do to overcome procrastination. But I always do a lot better understanding why what I'm going to do works."
[Anxiety Explanation]
Combatting Anxiety: Leila suggests asking oneself three critical questions to manage anxiety:
- Will this make my life better or worse tomorrow?
- What skill will I gain if I do this?
- Does avoiding this make my life expand or contract tomorrow?
These questions help reframe anxiety as a catalyst for growth rather than a hindrance.
2. Rebellion
Rebellion arises when individuals procrastinate to assert their autonomy, especially when tasks are imposed by authority figures.
"Rebellion is when we procrastinate because we didn't decide something."
[Rebellion Definition]
She shares an anecdote about a portfolio company CEO who delayed necessary price adjustments due to an aversion to authority. Addressing this rebellion led to significant business growth.
Managing Rebellion: Leila advises assessing whether an imposed task aligns with personal or professional goals, encouraging putting aside ego to achieve desired outcomes.
3. Boredom
Boredom leads to procrastination when tasks lack novelty or immediate rewards, causing individuals to seek more stimulating activities.
"Boredom is also the birthplace of success."
[Boredom Insight]
Overcoming Boredom: To tackle boredom, Leila recommends evaluating tasks based on their long-term benefits. She underscores that excellence is forged through repetitive and often mundane actions.
Step 3: Trading Productive Procrastination for Productive Failure
Understanding Productive Procrastination
Many procrastinators stay busy with low-ROI tasks, avoiding those that require emotional effort but offer significant returns.
"The worst procrastinators are actually always busy. They are busy doing everything except the one thing that they procrastinate."
[Productive Procrastination Explained]
Embracing Productive Failure
Leila advocates for a shift from merely staying busy to embracing productive failure, which involves:
- Trying: Taking action without the guarantee of success.
- Risking Failure: Accepting that failure is a possibility and a learning opportunity.
- Tweaking: Learning from failures to improve future attempts.
"Productive failure is to consistently try to fail... to take advantage of the situation."
[Productive Failure Definition]
Reframing Failure: Leila emphasizes viewing failure as a learning process rather than a reflection of self-worth.
"Failure is an outside event that is occurring. You can experience failure without being a failure."
[Reframing Failure]
She shares her journey of enduring significant losses in her first business, using each failure as a stepping stone to acquire new skills.
Conclusion: Taking Imperfect Action
Leila wraps up by urging listeners to:
- Identify What You’re Avoiding: Pinpoint the tasks or decisions you're procrastinating.
- Understand the Underlying Emotions: Determine if it's anxiety, rebellion, or boredom.
- Take Action Despite Fears: Engage in the task imperfectly to overcome procrastination.
"Stop trying to be perfect. Try to take imperfect action instead."
[Final Call to Action]
She stresses that consistent, imperfect actions pave the way for competence, confidence, and long-term success.
Key Takeaways
- Procrastination is often a response to fear and discomfort, not laziness.
- Understanding the emotions behind procrastination is crucial for overcoming it.
- Embracing failure as a learning tool leads to continuous improvement and success.
- Taking imperfect action is better than inaction driven by the pursuit of perfection.
Leila Hormozi's episode provides a comprehensive roadmap to defeating procrastination by addressing its root causes, understanding the emotions involved, and fostering a mindset that views failure as an integral part of growth. By implementing her three-step framework, listeners are equipped to build unshakeable businesses and personal lives characterized by resilience and continuous advancement.