Introduction:This book is authored by Brian Tracy and is a guide to overcoming procrastination. It helps in building the habit of completing tasks before deadlines. Tracy provides valuable insights into how to break the cycle of procrastination and create a habit of productivity.

What You Get From This Book:This book explains key concepts in an easy-to-understand language, with practical examples and case studies. The author shares important learnings that can be applied to improve your life.

1st Learning: Learn from Experts Life is too short to learn everything by yourself, especially in today’s world with the advancement of technology. Brian Tracy advises learning from successful people and doing what they do to achieve the same results.Example: If you want to learn about investment, read books like The Intelligent Investor or learn from experts like Warren Buffet.

2nd Learning: Concentration

success depends on your ability to concentrate on your most important task and complete it. The ability to focus and finish tasks is a key determinant of success.Example: Sachin Tendulkar’s success in cricket was due to his focus and determination, which were driven by his mind and heart.

3rd Learning: 3Ds The 3 Brian Tracy introduces the 3 Ds concept to develop focus and concentration:

1. Decision: Commit to completing the task.

2. Discipline: Work regularly.

3. Determination: Never give up until the habit becomes a part of your personality.

4th Learning: The 7-Step Formula

Brian Tracy outlines a 7-step approach to achieving goals:

1. Decide what you want: Your goal must be clear.

2. Write it down: Successful people are 10 percent more likely to achieve their goals because they write them down. Practical Tip: Write down your goals and be specific about what you want to achieve.

3.Set a deadline: Goals without deadlines are ineffective. Set both main and sub-deadlines to create urgency.Example: Set a goal to finish a project within a week.

4. Make a list of everything to do: Write down all the tasks you need to complete.Example: To start a business, list tasks like deciding the business type, arranging funds, choosing a location, etc.

5. Organize your list into a plan: Prioritize tasks and sequence them.

6. Take immediate action: Don’t wait for perfect conditions. Take small steps every day towards your goal.Example: If studying for an exam, read a few pages daily.

7. Resolve to do something every day that moves you closer to your goal.

5th Learning: Plan Every Day in AdvancePlanning

your day in advance saves time and helps prevent poor performance. Ideally, plan the day before.

6th Learning: The 80/20 Rule

The Pareto principle states that 20% of your actions will produce 80% of your results.Example: In business, 20% of your customers will generate 80% of your sales.Practical Tip: Focus on high-impact tasks that yield the best results.

7th Learning: Consider the Consequences

Every action has consequences, either positive or negative. Successful people think about the long-term consequences of their actions.Practical Example: Regular exercise is beneficial for health, but many people neglect it, leading to long-term health issues.

8th Learning: Creative Procrastination

You cannot do everything at once, so focus on the most important tasks. Example: If a friend calls while you’re studying, simply say “No” and continue focusing on your studies

9th Learning: One Step at a Time

Just like a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step, breaking down big tasks into smaller steps makes them more manageable.

Example: If you want a write a book of 300 page then just write 1 page in a day and gradually you finish a book.

10th Learning: Upgrade Yourself

Procrastination can often stem from a lack of knowledge. To overcome this, keep learning and upgrading your skills.

Tip: Read for 60 minutes daily, take courses, and attend seminars to keep improving.

11th Learning: Slice and Dice

Break the task into smaller parts and tackle them one step at a time.Practical Example: If preparing for an exam, focus on completing one topic a day instead of stressing over the entire syllabus.

12th Learning: Sense of Urgency

The Parkinson’s Law states that work expands to fill the time available. Set tight deadlines to ensure that you stay focused and complete tasks quickly.Example: APJ Abdul Kalam designed a better model in just four days when he was given a strict deadline.

13th Learning: Single-Handle Every Task Avoid distractions when working. Focus on one task at a time and don’t stop until it’s complete.Tip: Turn off your phone when working on important tasks. Work in focused intervals, for example, 50 minutes of work followed by a 10-minute break.