The Seinfeld Strategy: beat procrastination
Jerry Seinfeld is widely regarded as one of the most successful comedians of all time, with a career that includes numerous awards, high earnings, and critical acclaim. But what sets Seinfeld apart from other successful performers is the remarkable consistency he has maintained throughout his career. Show after show, year after year, Seinfeld has produced at a level that most of us can only dream of achieving.
So, what strategies does Seinfeld use to beat procrastination and maintain his consistency? The answer may surprise you: it's the simple act of creating and maintaining a chain.
The Seinfeld Strategy
The Seinfeld Strategy was first described by comedian Brad Isaac, who once asked Seinfeld if he had any tips for a young comic. Seinfeld's response was simple: the way to be a better comic was to create better jokes, and the way to create better jokes was to write every day.
Seinfeld went on to suggest that Isaac get a big wall calendar with a whole year on one page, and hang it in a prominent place. He then told Isaac to get a big red magic marker and, for each day that he wrote, to put a big red X over that day. Seinfeld's only instruction was to "not break the chain."
Seinfeld's approach was simple, but it worked. By focusing on maintaining his chain of writing every day, he was able to consistently produce quality work and avoid procrastination. And this approach can work for you, too.
How to stop procrastinating
If you want to stop procrastinating and achieve your goals, the first step is to choose a task that is simple enough to be sustainable, but meaningful enough to make a difference. For example; if your goal is to write a book, you might start by committing to writing for 15 minutes each day.
Once you have chosen your task, it's time to start your chain. Get a calendar and a marker, and start marking off each day that you complete your task. The key is to focus on not breaking the chain.
The Seinfeld Strategy works because it takes the focus off of each individual performance and puts the emphasis on the process instead. It's not about how you feel, how inspired you are, or how brilliant your work is on any given day. Instead, it's simply about not breaking the chain.
The benefits of micro-behavioural changes
The Seinfeld Strategy is an example of a micro-behavioural change approach, which is a small change in behaviour that can have a big impact on your life. By committing to a simple, meaningful task and focusing on maintaining your chain, you can build a habit of consistency and avoid procrastination.
Micro-behavioural changes are effective because they are small and easy to accomplish. They don't require a lot of willpower or motivation, and they can be done in just a few minutes each day. Over time, these small changes can add up to big results.
In addition to helping you achieve your goals, micro-behavioural changes can also improve your mental health. When you commit to a daily task and consistently complete it, you feel a sense of accomplishment and pride. This can boost your confidence and self-esteem, and reduce feelings of stress and anxiety.
Conclusion
The Seinfeld Strategy is a simple but effective approach to beating procrastination and achieving your goals. By choosing a simple, meaningful task and focusing on maintaining your chain, you can build a habit of consistency and avoid procrastination. And by making micro-behavioural changes a part of your daily routine, you can improve your mental health and achieve lasting success. So, why not start your own chain today and see where it takes you?
