In Over Your Head

Life Doesn’t Start Tomorrow

There isn’t a single thing in this world that’s made better by starting tomorrow.

Everything you care about, everything you are about, needs to begin today or it may never happen.

If you don’t want to do it now, you clearly don’t want it bad enough.

Momentum comes from pushing, not from planning. Confidence comes from scars and risk, not from indecision.

Q: What is a five-minute action you can take today that will make tomorrow better? I don’t care if it’s cleaning your house or writing one paragraph. You’re going to do it now.

A: Drop everything right now, act on that for five minutes, and then come back and tell me what you did.

I am like your conscience, except I don’t accept bullshit. So I expect you to comment here today, or you clearly aren’t actually reading.

Do it now.

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Comments

152 responses to “Life Doesn’t Start Tomorrow”

  1. steve cunningham Avatar
    steve cunningham

    Ironically, the “also of interest” shows that “MUTEK starts tomorrow” 🙂

    I’m off to the gym, for the first time in an eternity. Right now. I won’t be 5 minutes, but I’ll let you know how it goes.

    Reply
  2. Brendan Cosgrove Avatar
    Brendan Cosgrove

    Just wrote part of a major community announcement for our new social site for our customers.

    Thanks. 🙂

    Reply
    1. Julien Avatar
      Julien

      Steve, Brendan, nice job guys. 🙂

      Reply
  3. Jeff Goins Avatar
    Jeff Goins

    Making a phone call I’ve put off making for two days.

    Reply
  4. Azzurra Camoglio Avatar
    Azzurra Camoglio

    Right now, I’m working on a translation I delayed too long. And I want to finish it today. Today, not tomorrow.

    Reply
  5. Marcella Chamorro Avatar
    Marcella Chamorro

    Right now, I set aside 5 minutes to finish a section of the e-book I’m working on. But really, I’m setting aside much longer than that – because many times once you get rolling on something you were dreading, you end up realizing it wasn’t half bad and just continue doing it.

    Reply
  6. Simon Tooley Avatar
    Simon Tooley

    Right – life is NOW! Thanks for the reminder. No excuse to keep running from what I always say is my dream. Go after it or keep running from it? JFDI – Just focus and do it!

    Reply
  7. Tamsen McMahon Avatar
    Tamsen McMahon

    I tested my best attempt so far at an apt self-descriptor with a group of trusted confidantes. May not seem like much, but the lack of a descriptor I was comfortable with has been my biggest hurdle in pursuing aggressively a new direction in my life.

    Reply
  8. Joseph Doughty Avatar
    Joseph Doughty

    This post just got me so pumped! I love the picture. It was on my schedule to do today, but I’ve been procrastinating. I’m off to do 30 snatch reps @ 135 pounds for time (Olympic lifting for those not in the know) I weigh 185 and 140#’s is the max weight I lift for this movement. It should take a bit over 5 minutes though. I’ll report back with my time…

    Reply
    1. Julien Avatar
      Julien

      Good job guys!

      Simon I’m still waiting on you!

      (In case you’re wondering, I’m working on the new book with Chris right now.)

      Reply
  9. Carl Coddington Avatar
    Carl Coddington

    Actually I started doing it before I read your post 🙂

    .. Finding new blogs, reading their posts and commenting.

    Reply
  10. Isis B. Avatar
    Isis B.

    Going to publish some long awaited prose. Damnit…was hoping to put that off a little bit longer. 😛

    Reply
  11. Rosanna Avatar
    Rosanna

    Since I started reading your articles I have been looking at my work differently and witnessing how much easier it becomes every time I make the hard choice to do what needs to be done, not tomorrow, but NOW. I look forward to the fun choices without guilt. They are right on the horizon.

    Reply
    1. Julien Avatar
      Julien

      Rosanna, you are the second person to tell me that today. Thank you, it means a lot.

      Now what did you GET DONE???

      Rick, if you’re interested I can help you a bit with that– I helped my sister and others lose 20+ pounds each. But I don’t want to be pushy, so no worries either way and good job. 🙂

      Reply
      1. devitheresa Avatar
        devitheresa

        Can you help with losing 20+ pounds. I just started drinking the first sip of drinking more water.

        Reply
  12. Rick Avatar
    Rick

    Started the diet this week. Continued today. Not next week, not next Monday, not “after the holidays”. Eating smaller portions, bringing leftovers from home, drinking water instead of Coke (okay, that was because I had no change, but still). Good call, Julien. Today’s the time – “I’ll do it later” means it’s just not important.

    Reply
  13. Long Wang Avatar
    Long Wang

    Ahahaha nice title man! Got that demo done at 4 am, woke up feeling like shit, got to work. I’m on my lunch break right now, tell me how you like it. I took your advice to heart because FUCK IT! It all starts now.

    I’m going to have this done by my birthday (tomorrow), celebration of the Genesis of my life and my podcast right?

    Thanks!

    Reply
  14. Tim Avatar
    Tim

    Got up off my rusty dusty and went for a walk around the work campus – thx Julien

    Reply
  15. John McLachlan Avatar
    John McLachlan

    I just posted a post on my blog that I’ve “almost” posted so many times but chickened out on every time for fear of who it will offend.

    It’s about how the arts granting process could be changed in my sector. Not sizzling to most people, but for me it could be. 🙂

    You pushed me, Julien.

    Reply
  16. Marc Vaillancourt Avatar
    Marc Vaillancourt

    I set up a community page on Facebook titled: NO PASSPORT REQUIRED: Discover the World Around You! and sent invitation to everyone in my network. It’s an idea I’ve had for several month and did nothing with it.

    Thanks!!!

    Reply
  17. John Anyasor Avatar
    John Anyasor

    I’ve started a 30-day experiment to become more responsible as a man. I may be 19, but I’m starting now (actually, I’ve already started) to become financially independent by the time I graduate college.

    Reply
  18. Joseph Doughty Avatar
    Joseph Doughty

    Just as I expected 20:34 LOL Snatch is my weakest O-lift.

    Now back to writing copy and managing 14 blog sites. :O

    Reply
    1. Julien Avatar
      Julien

      Every O-lift is my weakest dude. 🙂

      Reply
  19. Shawna Cevraini Avatar
    Shawna Cevraini

    Thanks for this!! I just spent some quality time working on my copy for a program that I’m putting together! I’d been making excuses!

    Reply
  20. Joseph Doughty Avatar
    Joseph Doughty

    Julien,
    LOL That’s okay, it’s a niche sport with an acquired taste. Like escargot (which I hate : )

    Reply
  21. Ian M Rountree Avatar
    Ian M Rountree

    My five minutes was bullet points for a program specification I’m pitching at the end of the week. Tiny details – but a first. Nervous as hell. Pitching anyway. 🙂

    Reply
  22. Jeff Sutherland Avatar
    Jeff Sutherland

    Filled out, and sent off a Commercial Listing Contract that has been on my list for . . . an undisclosed amount of time. Thanks for the prompt!

    Reply
  23. Jeff Sutherland Avatar
    Jeff Sutherland

    Oh, the other thing that helped. I needed a bathroom break, pretty bad-like, at the start of the 5 minutes. I made an additional rule that I couldn’t take my bathroom break until I finished the task.

    Don’t worry, all ended well.

    Reply
  24. Courtney Avatar
    Courtney

    Alright…I’ll do my stupid screencast already! Just finished the script, now all I have to do is record it.

    Reply
  25. Jean Avatar
    Jean

    Sent email: Confirmed my interest in starting up a Latin reading group with one of my professors at school.

    Reply
  26. Tim Kastelle Avatar
    Tim Kastelle

    I made some revisions to an academic paper that I has been sitting in my inbox for 3 weeks. Now we can submit it to a journal. Took more than 5 minutes though…

    Now I can move on to revising another paper that is much more interesting and likely to have greater impact.

    Thanks for the push Julien!

    Reply
  27. Mitch Joel - Twist Image Avatar
    Mitch Joel – Twist Image

    I’ve been meaning to leave a serious comment on your Blog for months. I always say to myself, “Julien and I are close friends. I don’t want people to think that it’s nepotism or some such.” Well, those days are done. I am so impressed with both the frequency and quality of your posts (including this one). In a day and age where most people are abandoning their Blogs, you’re a ray of light/hope. Thanks for putting it out there and for the constant kick in the brain.

    Reply
  28. Ray Hiltz Avatar
    Ray Hiltz

    Mitch told me to read this bog so instead of bookmarking it for later, I’m doing it now.
    Read you regularly. You’re right, you are like my concious – a lot of times uncomfortable to live with but usually right.

    Reply
  29. Brent F. Barrett Avatar
    Brent F. Barrett

    Kudos!

    I shot the first episode of http://www.startupstreet.tv.

    Been a long time reader of the blog, big fan of Media Hacks and just had to finally post a comment.

    Cheers,
    BFB

    Reply
  30. darren hanser Avatar
    darren hanser

    I started running. Tonight ran 2k, and am running the CIBC Run For The Cure on Oct 3 in Richmond Hill, Ontario. Always watched other people running and was envious, so I committed and now that others have made donations on my behalf, I’m IN! If you want to support me, that may be a first for someone else!! Here’s my personal Run page… http://bit.ly/9prRnS

    Reply
  31. Mike McAllen Avatar
    Mike McAllen

    Navel hair ball gone!

    Reply
  32. Jodi Henderson Avatar
    Jodi Henderson

    Well, I removed my navel hair ball yesterday, so I can’t count that. (Thanks Mike, for that bit of comic relief!)

    In all seriousness, had just an inkling of an idea earlier this evening for something that could possibly become an ebook later or even a preso at SXSW. Took 5 minutes to start writing about it.

    Thank you very fucking much, Julien, for making me do that. And you didn’t even have to twist my arm!

    Reply
  33. Dave Avatar
    Dave

    Damnit, I totally meant to comment on this yesterday. Sorry.

    It took me five minutes to come up with that joke.

    But seriously, I just spent some time coding a DVD label that’s part of a gift for someone.

    Reply
  34. Ken Brand Avatar
    Ken Brand

    Thanks for the shove. Nothing tonight. Tomorrow morning I’ll reread it, the I’ll make stuff happen.

    Reply
  35. Tom Webster Avatar
    Tom Webster

    Live the dream, Mike 🙂

    Reply
  36. Susan Murphy Avatar
    Susan Murphy

    I made up my mind to stop worrying about everything I need to do and just focus on the doing part.

    Reply
  37. Tim Bursch Avatar
    Tim Bursch

    Julien,
    I’ve been lurking here for months. Finally jumping in. Thanks for the kick in the pants. I’ve been putting off a blog post on hearing vs. listening in social media. DONE. Posting tomorrow. Thank you.

    Reply
  38. Yuval Avatar
    Yuval

    Thanks, good did you just did, reminding me what is important.

    Kids – need more than 5 min…Done
    sports – need more than 5 min…Done
    Time out – 5 min is just about what it takes …DONE !!

    Good Night.

    Reply
  39. Shane Avatar
    Shane

    Great post. Joining the gym today to lose those pounds I was getting rid off tomorrow

    Reply
  40. yi shun Avatar
    yi shun

    i’m leaving to start my master of fine arts program tonight, so i’ve made tomorrow better for my fiance by really cleaning up the kitchen–and i’ve made tomorrow better by listing everything i’ll potentially need on my 9-day residency. awesome post, dude: boot camp for your brain. 😀

    Reply
  41. Alex Greenwood Avatar
    Alex Greenwood

    I just finished and sent two long-put-off follow-up emails to potential clients. Thanks J!

    Reply
  42. Mitch Avatar
    Mitch

    Love it!

    Reply
  43. Kathleen Jaffe Avatar
    Kathleen Jaffe

    I love it – way to make us cut through the excuses that get in our way. 🙂

    I just wrote my top-level outline for my first ecourse (or ebook – haven’t decided which it’ll be just yet).

    Reply
  44. Ivan Hernandez Avatar
    Ivan Hernandez

    Hi Julien,

    Man! that was a great wake-up call! Excellent post. Short, powerful and straight to the point.

    Congrats man! you are definitely making a difference.

    Cheers,

    Ivan

    Reply
  45. Wendy Avatar
    Wendy

    Right now I am going to send an email to my teammates about something I would love to implement in our company related to my area of work. Thanks!

    Reply
  46. Angie Avatar
    Angie

    Made myself get up at 5am and did the things I can’t seem to make time for: pray, exercise, and a little housework.

    Reply
  47. Rick Avatar
    Rick

    @Julien – part of my “now” is counting the cost, including the getting healthy part. Starting with “eat less, do more” to make lifestyle change, with side benefit/goal of losing 100#. I have to look at it that way, rather than accountability to the goal and instead having zeal for the change that should then result in the target. Going around my elbow to get to my nose, but want this to “take” and be meaningful. Any help along those lines? 🙂

    Reply
    1. Julien Avatar
      Julien

      Guys, I am super proud of all of you. Keep it up!

      @Rick — sorry, I got lost in the metaphors there. 🙂 Email me if you want some pointers and cheers. 🙂

      Reply
  48. murelle Avatar
    murelle

    oh alright…

    Reply
  49. Deborah Avatar
    Deborah

    Oh boy do I want to talk to you about push and pull. You need the pull to inspire you to push… Hmmm.

    Reply
  50. Melissa Cooley Avatar
    Melissa Cooley

    Well, my task will take longer than five minutes because I am going to bed right now. How will this make tomorrow better? I will get the sleep I need so I can function at a more optimal level and get more things done. I’ve got this bad habit of staying up all hours of the night and then having to get up early because my kids don’t sleep in — and they don’t let me, either.

    Reply
  51. Martyn Chamberlin Avatar
    Martyn Chamberlin

    Well Julien, you’re a hard man. I cleaned out my dresser drawer before coming back here. It’s been needing to be done for a long time…that’s something that will make tomorrow better. I threw a bunch of junk away too. Yeah, took about five minutes.

    Reply
  52. Joe Sorge Avatar
    Joe Sorge

    My fingers are crossed that a solid RT also counted towards my proof of reading. Last thing I need is some sort of curse, nay, hex put on me by Julien.

    Reply
  53. Fabrice Calando Avatar
    Fabrice Calando

    I made myself a little more unemployable 🙂

    Reply
  54. Selina Avatar
    Selina

    I journaled out my problems and can finally see the answer on the horizon. Thank you for the push.

    Reply
  55. Greg Avatar
    Greg

    Just listed the action steps to start a cross country relocation – which we’ve been debating for weeks – which will happen 4 years from the first cross country relocation. Maybe back to the cold and humidity, but back to family, friends, and the vast pool of opportunities for this “bigger” fish…Thanks!

    Reply
  56. Scarborough Dude Avatar
    Scarborough Dude

    I finally changed the air filter on our furnace, something the entire family can appreciate without knowing it. But I did it just before reading this post, so it’s a bit like reading the new car ads for the model you just bought. I’m only replying because I want to echo what Mitch Joel wrote earlier; I missed your podcast in the beginning, but am getting much more value from reading your blog. Thank you Julien!

    Reply
  57. Florina Avatar
    Florina

    Started with more energy another day looking for a job! :)Other things planned for today, no more delaying.

    Thank you Julien!

    Reply
  58. Ramblings of a Woman Avatar
    Ramblings of a Woman

    First time here, Julien! Love your blog, you pull out all the punches, lol! Which is good because we all need a kick in the ass now and then!
    Finally went over to Hostgator to check out hosting for wordpress. Need to make the switchover from a WP.com.
    Thanks for the push!
    Bernice

    http://bernicewood.wordpress.com/2010/08/17/life-one-step-at-a-time/

    Reply
  59. Steph Avatar
    Steph

    Hello – kept accidently going to your blog every time I was trying to go to the BBC website. So finally I started reading it. Pretty cool. Today I am going to clean my house, run 4 miles, then cook for a friend who is moving house tomorrow…..Thanks for the pep talk!

    Reply
  60. Rosie Avatar
    Rosie

    I got up and sorted out the huge pile of mail and papers stacked on the right of my desk. I always ignore them and then my boss starts yelling and I discover some invoice at the bottom of the pile which should have been paid 6 months ago… or he asks me for a contract and it hasn’t been filed because I haven’t got round to creating a file. I’ve organised and thrown out anything I don’t need… next I’m going to actually file things. I already feel better because I have a neater desk with more space! thank you…

    Reply
  61. Renee Avatar
    Renee

    My Mom tells me that my grandfather said to NEVER START ANYTHING NEW ON A MONDAY because there’s a bad monday in every month. HIS SOLUTION? To start things on Saturday afternoon so he’d still get to it on Monday. My Monday’s are all about continuing and finishing.

    Reply
  62. Raquel Avatar
    Raquel

    beautiful text.. I followed your advice. I started now!

    Reply
  63. zach revell Avatar
    zach revell

    im texting my dad for the first time in weeks
    im arranging myself some extras work
    thank you

    Reply
  64. Heanes Avatar
    Heanes

    I saw this site by mistake. But in a moment that I really needed to read everything you wrote here. I started right now… and it’s working…

    congratulations from Brazil!

    Reply
  65. adam Avatar
    adam

    Its one in the morning so I’m not actually sure what to go out and get done. I came upon this site totally by accident so I’m taking this as my sign because once again whoever is looking out up there has made their presence known. These are words to live by JFDI… Just fucking do it

    Reply
  66. Katharine Avatar
    Katharine

    This is the moto I want to live by every day. I stumbled upon this today by mistake, and it looks like it was supposed to happen.
    I took a year off of school after I graduated college, and lived it up the way a 19 year old should. Then I started college and met my absolute best friend and she took me to England that school year. So that was one check in the “always wanted to do” list. Since then, her and I have been going on multiple adventures and living as though we might die tomorrow.
    Then reality hit me and told me I needed to finish up my degree to actually get anywhere in the world. Now I am stuck in school taking 12 credits, and working as a waitress 45 hours a week. There is no adventure at all right now and I am going stark-raving mad. I have planned a trip to Vegas next month, and a trip to New Orleans for Spring Break. But that might be changing to Costa Rica possibly…
    Is there any way I can get more adventure right now as I work myself to death? I need it to feel alive, and I am feeling more and more like a zombie at the moment. Help?!?!

    Reply
  67. Tiffanie Avatar
    Tiffanie

    I keep saying tomorrow will be the day I start working out. I have kept putting it off for sooo long. So why not start today?

    So when I get home after work, I am putting on my tennis shoes and my iPod and going for a run around my complex. And tomorrow I will do the same thing.

    It’s time for change. And change starts today.

    Thanks for the motivation!

    Reply
  68. Nei Grando Avatar
    Nei Grando

    Now I just relaxing, it is hollyday here.
    I am checking tweets, reading this article, and thinking: Huauuu, I will have a family lunch soon: me, my wife and my doughter – yes this is a real success.

    Thanks, you right, we need to act more in the right direction to do what we want and we need to do.

    Nei Grando

    Reply
  69. Ana Avatar
    Ana

    It is funny, a very long time I say tomorrow I’ll do this or that. But it never happens, perhaps I don’t want to or it isn’t important to me. I hope things change in my life, but now and not tomorrow…

    Reply
  70. Jeff Harbert Avatar
    Jeff Harbert

    I wrote a draft of the sales copy for the IT training I’m developing.

    Reply
  71. RalfLippold Avatar
    RalfLippold

    Make reconnection with second potential client from last year on opening this morning. Tweeting about it, spread the word – just for the joy of it.

    Reply
  72. Yirssi Avatar
    Yirssi

    It started with five minutes and turned into four hours of productivity. I’ve officially finished and launched my website! (and plenty of other little things).

    Reply
  73. Madeline Avatar
    Madeline

    Not five minutes, but I have been delaying starting a pushup, situp, running regiment for a potential job. Didn’t do the running, but I will. I MUST. Thanks for the push.

    Reply
  74. Mario Rodriguez Avatar
    Mario Rodriguez

    I’ve officially started a blog for my eyes only, so that I may reflect on it when needed. It is a wish of mine that this helps me become a better person than I am today, but most importantly, that this creates my new momentum.

    Reply
  75. Mark Avatar
    Mark

    Stopped what i was doing to write that letter to my Grandfather that I’ve been meaning to do for week. Thanks for the lift, Julien.

    Reply
  76. Alan Avatar
    Alan

    I’m writing posts for my blog tonight. They’re in various states of editing right now but I’ll have 3 posts lined up to be published. I’m making it a point to work on it every day (even if it’s only a paragraph or 2). I’ll get them done. Thanks for the inspiration.

    Reply
  77. alice wonder Avatar
    alice wonder

    sent an email I’ve been putting off all week.
    goodness knows i needed this reminder.

    thanks 🙂

    Reply
  78. Dave Sohnchen Avatar
    Dave Sohnchen

    I’ve been putting my online schooling off because I got a new job. Problem is that my job doesn’t really relate to what I want to do for the rest of my life. It’ll be longer than 5 minutes but I’m hitting the books and taking control of my career as opposed to being tossed around like a row boat on the ocean.

    Thanks for the push and if you think this is bullshit, push me harder.

    Reply
  79. Mark Robertson Avatar
    Mark Robertson

    Your post/words : comment/words ratio speaks, well, volumes.

    Reply
  80. Chris Avatar
    Chris

    Hey,
    great and inspiring article.
    I love the “do it now or never” mentality.
    Greets from Berlin
    Chris

    Reply
  81. Wayne McEvilly Avatar
    Wayne McEvilly

    Julien:
    All my life I have known – “Wayne, your are absolutely awesome.” Hitherto I have allowed the voices of the world in to intrude on this sublime truth. I am going to go right now (not tomorrow) and proclaim my awesomeness in a blog post. It’ll take less than five minutes. Why have I put it off? Not wasting a second considering that useless question.
    Thanks. Your conscsiouness rocks. So does mine.
    Wayne

    Reply
  82. Julie Davis Friend Avatar
    Julie Davis Friend

    Julien,

    What a great article! Many thanks for that aha moment! I stopped “working” and went to play with my daughter. Something I have been doing less and less of lately, but love to do.

    Hope you have a wonderful day!

    Julie

    Reply
  83. Jared Avatar
    Jared

    I decided to stop being indecisive about what I’m doing after college. I will be moving to Los Angeles from Boston. Thanks for this post, Julien.

    Reply
  84. Jen Scaffidi Avatar
    Jen Scaffidi

    Five-minute free-write, to unlock potential lyrics for band practice tomorrow.

    (We’ve been stuck for two years: in the process of creating and “shipping” a full-length album, I’d forgotten my writing process. Kept reminding myself, “free-write for just five minutes and you’ll remember how to write.” Turns out it was true.)

    Thanks for the push.

    Reply
  85. Christine Avatar
    Christine

    I wrote this blog post: http://100things100days.com/2011/09/13/day-63-go-write-a-blog-about-it-the-blog-as-marriage-therapy/
    Thanks Julien! Now I’m going to bed.

    Reply
  86. Toni Avatar
    Toni

    I took 5 minutes to read about proper sleep cycles on the Internet, and am going to take a nap now. I’ve been neglecting it because of things I felt took priority. It will make tomorrow better.

    Reply
  87. Shireen Avatar
    Shireen

    I oiled my hair… Lol! I have been putting it off for a few days.

    Reply
  88. Brennan Langva Avatar
    Brennan Langva

    Cleaned my room some. Hell yeah.

    Reply
  89. nayth Avatar
    nayth

    interesting. i’m going to tweet this to the 19 friends that i have. yeah, it’s not much but at least I’m fucking doing something right?

    Reply
  90. Edyta Avatar
    Edyta

    I stopped eating the chocolate biscuit in order to start “eating healthier food habit”.

    Reply
  91. Ried Avatar
    Ried

    Starting to take more risks

    Thank you

    Reply
  92. MaRRLLy Avatar
    MaRRLLy

    Just made 2 beats i like hip hop

    Reply
  93. Sawyer Avatar
    Sawyer

    This is the most persuasive article I’ve ever seen.
    Finished an assignment due tomorrow, now I have time for other things

    Reply
  94. Val Avatar
    Val

    Kick me in the ass again – thx! I will(tonight) reinvent/re-develop my website to brand me and my business.

    Reply
  95. Jesse Cleaver Avatar
    Jesse Cleaver

    Just started writing again, working on a blog about reexamining the meaning of success.

    Reply
  96. Catherine Avatar
    Catherine

    Woke up feeling really low and stuck today. Linked to your blog from another and just went and read The Flinch. I feel like you just struck a match in a dark room. Thank you so much!

    Just wrote a letter to my Dad I’ve been wanting to send and made my lunch for tomorrow. Just the push I need to get some momentum. HUGE THANKS!

    Reply
  97. distr0 Avatar
    distr0

    leaving a reply. thanks mate

    Reply
  98. Álvaro Avatar
    Álvaro

    The five minutes turned into a three hours of productive work on an overdue project.

    Awesome post, thanks! I am sharing it with friends.

    Reply
  99. tony Avatar
    tony

    I wrote the first paragraph of a short story i’ve had an idea for for weeks but not got round to. Then I wrote a few more! Thanks

    Reply
  100. angie Avatar
    angie

    I don’t why, but I decided yesterday to learn to cook and go to culinary school. It’s what I’ve always wanted anyway. And I’m gonna make a trip out of it and go to a culinary school in another country. I also started reading your blog this week..soo…not that they’re related but weird right?

    Anyway, what I did today was pick up shifts at the restaurants I currently bartend at, but in the kitchen. Super exciting right?!

    Thanks dude!!

    Reply
  101. dani Avatar
    dani

    I was going to do things, but then I got linked to this blog…

    Reply
  102. Rachael Avatar
    Rachael

    Sounds lame, but I’m going to clean and organize my room. We’ll see how far I get in five minutes… Great blog by the way. Awesome ways to kick college-student laziness in the ass! 😀

    Reply
  103. Ed Avatar
    Ed

    Just spent five minutes reading about Mohr’s circle of stress. Fell like spending more time on it now..
    Cheers

    Reply
  104. Jacob Green Avatar
    Jacob Green

    I just cleaned my whole fucking house…

    Reply
  105. Bryan Avatar
    Bryan

    You are so right! My motto is “Failure is the act of doing nothing!” and I do my very best everyday to do something, anything, instead of standing fucking still. Why you ask? Because standing still gets so boring!

    Reply
  106. Fiona Avatar
    Fiona

    I finally decided where I’m going to start my long term travels – Valparaiso, Chile!

    Reply
  107. Dianne Avatar
    Dianne

    I finally went through boxes of ‘stuff’ lying here from a recent move … I ended up going for over an hour – threw SO much crap out – years of stuff. Feels good! Thanks Julien! 🙂

    Reply
  108. Melissa Avatar
    Melissa

    This is along the same lines. I got emotional watching this. Check it out guys – “Don’t you dare waste your fucking time”
    http://23moments.com/dont-you-dare-waste-your-fucking-time

    Reply
  109. Ludovic Urbain Avatar
    Ludovic Urbain

    I started a list of all the things I was putting off, reading comments to get inspiration.

    And man are you right, I have only started and I have twenty lines of stuff I should’ve done long ago with why I’m avoiding it in the other column.

    Never thought just honestly writing down your fear could do so much
    ( example line “My Blog – Social anxiety”).

    That just made me remember the best way to fight something is to be brutally obvious with yourself: i.e. I should be posting my 93Kg no exercise statistics everyday just to put me to shame and get me in motion.

    The less you hide, the more you face, the more you win.

    Really thanks, I’ve been reading blog for ages, been motivated and all, but this one is just what I needed.

    Have a nice day Julien.

    Reply
    1. Ludovic Urbain Avatar
      Ludovic Urbain

      And here’s my way of saying thanks, I’ve been troubled by the z-index issue with your youtube embeds for a while – shocking with such a nice website indeed – so here’s the fix (tested and working):
      add
      “?wmode=transparent” to the youtube url (can be done in live jquery or from source – no difference really).

      Also while I’m at it, in your books article, books hide behind the heater, is that intended ?

      Anyway, very nice website and content –

      Reply
      1. Ludovic Urbain Avatar
        Ludovic Urbain

        And I’m also annoyed by the separation line between the wooden floor and the wall (of text) – just drop me an email and I’ll make you a corrected version that also displays in standard 1080p monitors correctly 😉

        Reply
  110. Charlie Avatar
    Charlie

    I have (very successfully) started writing an essay I’ve been putting off for weeks. Funny thing is, words just flow once I sat down determined to do it. Hadn’t I procrastinated for so long, it would’ve been done ages ago. A lesson learned. Thank you!

    Reply
  111. Bravo Avatar
    Bravo

    Got my room cleaned and 10 mins weight lifting…fully refreshed…Thanks for the post!

    Reply
  112. Korina Avatar
    Korina

    Julien, you are indisputably one of the most awesome guys out there. Very inspirational posts. Congratulations!

    Reply
  113. Rhonda Avatar
    Rhonda

    Meditated for ten minutes. Needed that — thanks!

    Reply
  114. Mae Lorette Avatar
    Mae Lorette

    Well, thanks for the stiff reminder…it was just what I needed. A month ago I set aside my completed novel, started on the second, BUT I promised I would go through the completed one with a fine tooth comb in a month. Well it’s now a month and the novel is up on my screen waiting for me to stop feeling sorry for myself (I was, until you drop kicked me) and now I happily look forward to doing what I promised. Thanks!

    Reply
  115. George D Avatar
    George D

    Did the exercises in a statistics text I’m reading. Felt good, I’ll do it again tomorrow.

    Reply
  116. Alex Avatar
    Alex

    Julien!

    Just emailed three well connected acquaintances I’d wanted (and been requested) to contact for MONTHS.

    Also writing an overdue translation.

    And finally, I crappily (but lovingly) did a printout version of this post, so we can all print and strategically place right by the screen, and use it to snap out every time we start to procrastinate.

    https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B2mcT8cfk9U3ZjZxZzhuLVo5czg

    Reply
    1. Alex Avatar
      Alex

      Yes! the link works. Awesome. It’d be really nice to share it with everyone who needs it. Which is, basically, everyone who reads you.

      Julien, your blog is magnificent. Keep it up.

      Reply
  117. Sri Avatar
    Sri

    Dope advice, which I’ve been following along with other bits from your blog. Thanks and good luck Julien.

    Sri

    Reply
  118. Matt Avatar
    Matt

    Hell yes.
    I made a phone call to a client that has been the bain of my existence for more than half a year.
    I have been hiding for lots of that mixed with waiting for stuff from them.
    Congrats to the un-pussyness of the 100+ other people.
    After work today-crossfit day 1.
    Matt

    Reply
  119. nurismarsyah Avatar
    nurismarsyah

    this is really inspire me, give a little enlightment for my dark ages now.

    Reply
  120. Laks Avatar
    Laks

    Just wacked on a song for five minutes and blitz my room and BAMN it’s done. It wasn’t as horrific as it usual is but I’m glad I managed to sort it out now before it got to that stage.

    Although tidying a room may not be so trivial to some, to me it really puts on a downer among the several things that needs to be done if my beds a horrific mess.

    Thank you Julien I feel good. 🙂

    Reply
  121. ibekwe, Mkpouto Avatar
    ibekwe, Mkpouto

    Tidying my bedroom in five minutes.
    Next is to draw up a questionnaire for my business idea.

    Thanks hommes

    Reply
  122. Jocelyn Avatar
    Jocelyn

    I stopped reading, and went and painted for 5 minutes. Every inch of me doesn’t want to paint or keep working on my little pet projects, because there’s no guarantee they’ll be successful. What bullshit!

    Reply
  123. Helen Avatar
    Helen

    Great post. Will take 5 minutes out from nursing my cold in bed to reactivate a blog I love but don’t make time to work on.

    Reply
    1. Helen Avatar
      Helen

      Haven’t written the post yet but did ask a blogger to guest post so I got it moving again. Thanks for the kick in the ashcan.

      Reply
  124. kausheilia Avatar
    kausheilia

    I messaged my brother.

    Reply
  125. Marius Narcotistul Avatar
    Marius Narcotistul

    Just dropped everything and started to learn VBA. Been putting it off.

    Reply
  126. TheKingandI Avatar
    TheKingandI

    Went to School, where I learned nothing. Damn government run school system…

    Reply
  127. Paweł Avatar
    Paweł

    I was actually reading. Thanks for this article

    Reply
  128. Orling Avatar
    Orling

    Just opened the metal big closet to clean it up of old art materials I am not really using or will ever used… thanks for this post, just the boost I need it today to finally do it!

    Reply
  129. Falon Hubbard Avatar
    Falon Hubbard

    This got me to start editing photos from the soccer game I went to on Wednesday.

    Reply
  130. Monty Avatar
    Monty

    this article helped me found my lousy clothes and a freakin awesome book to read, thanks Julien

    Reply
  131. ExpHP Avatar
    ExpHP

    My graphics card has overheated thrice this week. You’d think I’d want to do something about it, but my excuse just alternated back and forth between “I’m too busy” and “it’s too late to clean my computer.”

    So I finally did it.

    And there I was, in the garage at 11 PM, going to town with a can of compressed air. And the world didn’t end.

    Reply
  132. JD Avatar
    JD

    i took a shower and washed my fucking hair. that’s what.

    Reply
  133. Blake Avatar
    Blake

    I just swept for the first time in probably a week even though my mom is always nagging me to do it.

    Reply
  134. Simon Heikkila Avatar
    Simon Heikkila

    I know this is an old post, but I am working on being a doer. So I spent 5 minutes working on my reading list this year (I plan on 1 non-fiction and 1 fiction book per week this whole year). Thanks for the push.

    Reply
  135. Ron Avatar
    Ron

    Working in a positive direction… needed to hear this one !

    Reply
  136. Ron Avatar
    Ron

    Actually needed to write…. and I did for 5 min.

    Reply
  137. James Avatar
    James

    My last two assignments for the last year of a BA. Thank you for this post, and this entire blog!

    Reply
  138. Karabo Avatar
    Karabo

    Very convincing and motivating!!!

    Reply
  139. Seth Avatar
    Seth

    I just reviewed some calculus I need to remember for my upcoming PCAT.

    I love this blog, Thank you.

    Reply
  140. Phoebe Avatar
    Phoebe

    I sealed up the crack in my bedroom wall that I’ve been meaning to do for weeks. I had the stuff right outside my door so it was easy.

    Reply
  141. gerald Avatar
    gerald

    Hey Julien

    Love your blog,your no shit approach to self pity,growing a pair and just doing it whatever it is.your the reason why im going to give blogging,a shot.I love helping people in general with problems,ie weight,emotional,low self esteem,life in general,my freinds say I should be in this line of work and that I would be great at it.I love seeing people happy and enjoying life no matter what there( baggage) consists of they
    get on with it.so thanks for the inspiration,throw some luck my way on my new escapade.hey someday you might be reading my blog!. 🙂

    Reply
  142. Justin Avatar
    Justin

    I am becoming a huge fan of yours very quickly. The next five minutes will be spent working on an electronics project I have neglected for years.

    Reply

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