Before we dive in: MasteryOS is open for enrollment. There are limited spaces. If you want to achieve Self-Mastery, unlock your true potential, and smash every goal you set, click here. 

Social media has taken over the world.

There's no doubt about it.

Some people are using it to change their lives for the better and others for the worse.

With the rise of cheap dopamine and constant connection, there’s been a meteoric rise in problems.

From social media addiction to hatred of delayed gratification to fried dopamine receptors.

But one of the most common and seemingly innocent problems is productive procrastination.

There are 2 types of people on this planet.

Those who are content with comfort, average, and mediocrity.

And those determined to build something great, chase Self-Mastery, and unlock their true potential.

The first type of person (let’s call them bed huggers), don’t care if they procrastinate. Productive procrastination doesn’t exist in their world

But for the second type of person, productive procrastination is a massive problem.

Now, what exactly is productive procrastination?

It’s when you procrastinate by doing something that you can trick yourself into believing is productive, eg. “Learning” on YouTube.

You end up in this cycle of doing things that never drive you forward, that never move you toward your goals.

It doesn’t stop.

And you end up feeling guilty and anxious because you know you shouldn’t be doing what you’re doing.

Yet you can’t stop yourself.

The Path Of Easy Consumption

The most common form of productive procrastination is consumption. 

It’s easy to sit and consume in the guise of “learning”.

You don't have to think. You don’t have to connect your own dots, apply massive cognitive effort, OR risk failure.

It’s easy.

And as humans, we're wired for the path of least resistance.

We are designed to take the easy route. To conserve energy and maximise our chances of survival.

Sure, this was essential back in the day, but now it has more downfalls than possible positives.

Couple the path of least resistance with the addictive, slot machine-like, design of social media, and guess what you get?

The Path Of Easy Consumption.

A mindless addiction to scrolling, watching, and productively procrastinating.

Everyone at some point gets caught in this path of easy consumption and cycle of productive procrastination. 

Even myself.

It’s a surefire way to never make progress and never master your craft.

The Learning Trap

Most people (who are determined to build something great and achieve Self-Mastery) disguise their productive procrastination as “learning”

“I have to learn”

“I have to be an expert”

“I don’t feel ready”

3 excuses your inner bitch has likely whispered to your logical brain that knows you’re wasting time.

But here’s the problem with each of these excuses;

The best way to learn is through experience.

The only way to become an expert is through experience

And you will NEVER and I mean NEVER feel ready.

You can’t.

Feeling ready is a paradox.

It requires you to have experience and to have taken action.

But to have experience you need to start.

All of your excuses regarding starting can only be solved by starting.

Action is the only answer to making progress.

You can’t move forward without taking a step.

If you’re serious about building something great and achieving Self-Mastery, you must take action.

The 2 Hour Mastery Formula

That’s all well and good, you know you need to take action.

But how can you get yourself out of this cycle of productive procrastination?

The 2 Hour Mastery Formula.

A formula that does 2 things:

1. Stops you from procrastinating

2. Allows you to master your craft

This is a powerful formula even if you don’t procrastinate.

Mastery of craft is essential for both:

• Achieving Self-Mastery (as your craft is an extension of yourself) 

• For producing high quality work that allows for exceptional results, 

The 2 Hour Mastery Formula has 2 components:

• 1 hour a day learning your craft.

This can be in the form of books, coaching, courses, podcasts, YouTube. Any method of learning.

The important thing here is that you’re learning something applicable to where you are on your journey of mastering your craft.

If you’re just starting out, learn the basics.

If you’re more advanced, learn advanced strategies and tactics.

You get the picture.

And yes, yes, I can hear you screaming “But Ross, I thought we were trying to stop consumption!?!?”

We’re trying to stop mindless consumption.

By setting boundaries on:

• The time you can consume (1 hour) 

• What you can consume (relevant to your position on your journey)

We are being conscious with our consumption.

Learning is crucial for mastering anything. 

We don’t want to remove it, we want to control it.

If you're still mindlessly consuming and procrastinating with these boundaries, you can fix it through Conscious Alignment.

Check out my Get Shit Done system here for a course on both Conscious Alignment and getting shit done.

PS: Subscribers to The Self-Mastery Letter can get 50% with the code “CAH-50” at checkout.

• 1 hour a day practicing your craft

This is where the magic happens.

This is where you implement what you’re learning in the first part of the formula.

I’m a massive fan of always having a project that you’re working on. Whether that’s your business or your brand or anything else.

What you’re learning, your craft, and what you’re taking action on in this part of the formula should all come together to help you with your project.

If you don’t know what to work on in this part, it’s likely because you don’t have a project to work on.

Take time to define and ideate around a project and then get to work.

Now, this is only a 2-hour formula.

If you want to achieve Mastery of your craft, you need to be willing to practice every damn day for years.

How many years depends on how many hours you put in every day.

If you have more than 2 hours a day to dedicate to mastering your craft, dedicate more time to this formula.

But make sure you keep the time spent learning to 1 hour. Any other time you dedicate should be dedicated to action and practice.

- Ross

REMINDER: MasteryOS is open for enrollment. There are limited spaces. If you want to achieve Self-Mastery, unlock your true potential, and smash every goal you set, click here. 

When you’re ready to unlock your true potential and achieve Self-Mastery, here’s how I can help you:

• Sign up for the MasteryOS waitlist by clicking here. My exclusive program + private community takes you through my 4 step Self-Mastery process to help you unlock your true potential and achieve peak performance so you can finally get out of your own way, find fulfillment and smash every goal you set.

• Book a 1:1 call with me by clicking here. Get actionable advice specific to your situation to help find what's holding you back, boost your mental & physical performance and gain clarity on your next steps toward Self-Mastery. I can help you with: Mindset, Mental + Physical Performance, Long Term + Short Term Direction, Getting Shit Done and/or Social Media

• Get my system for aligning your actions with your dream life and getting shit done - no matter how busy you are - by clicking here.