209 ⎸ How to Stop Procrastinating with Robin Emdon

Hey ambitious bookkeepers!

Have you ever wondered why you can tackle a client emergency in record time, but that one administrative task has been sitting on your to-do list for weeks? Or why you can binge-watch an entire Netflix series but struggle to focus on updating your processes for 30 minutes?

I recently had accountability coach and author Robin J. Emden on the podcast, and let me tell you - his insights completely changed how I think about procrastination. And trust me, as someone who's built a business helping bookkeepers get organized and efficient, I thought I knew everything there was to know about productivity!

Listen here or on your favorite podcast player, or watch the video version on YouTube >>

Now let's dive into some highlights!

The Wake-Up Call That Changed Everything

Robin's story starts with a conversation with his brother about taking 10 years to complete a 6-year degree. When his brother asked why, Robin laughed it off as "procrastination." But driving home, something clicked. Here he was, a trained life coach who had worked with Tony Robbins, and he was struggling with the very thing he helped his clients overcome.

That realization led him down a rabbit hole of research that would take five years and result in an 80,000-word book. What he discovered will change how you think about procrastination forever.

It's Not About Being Lazy

Here's the first thing Robin wants you to understand: procrastination is not laziness.

"Laziness is a choice," Robin explained. "Procrastinators are people who want to work, know they should work, and they're just not able to. There's something stopping them."

Think about it - when was the last time you chose to procrastinate? You probably felt frustrated, guilty, or stressed about not getting things done. That's not the mindset of someone who's chosen to be lazy.

The Science Behind the Struggle

Here's where it gets really interesting. Procrastination is actually hardwired into your brain, coming from the same place as your survival instincts. Robin calls it "threat modality" - when your brain perceives danger (whether it's a tiger or a tax deadline), it triggers that fight, flight, or freeze response.

Your brain literally can't tell the difference between a physical threat and the stress of looking at your bookkeeping backlog. Both trigger the same survival mechanism that's designed to keep you alive, not help you be productive.

Meet Your Inner Productivity Team

After studying over 900 research papers on procrastination, Robin discovered what he calls the "Inner Productivity Team" - three neurotransmitters that need to be present for you to be truly productive:

1. The Conductor (Dopamine)

This is your fun neurotransmitter. It's what makes you enjoy what you're doing. Without it, work feels like a slog. The conductor orchestrates everything else, but only shows up when your survival brain (limbic system) is calm.

2. The Fun-Sized Warrior (Noradrenaline)

You need just a tiny bit of stress - not the overwhelming kind that makes you freeze, but the kind that keeps you on the edge of your seat. Think of it as productive anxiety that gives you urgency without panic.

3. The Focus Master (Acetylcholine)

Remember how you could focus as a child? You could watch the same movie 100 times or play with a cardboard box for hours. That's acetylcholine at work. Unfortunately, as adults, we naturally lose this neurotransmitter. The good news? You can bring it back.

The Missing Piece: External Accountability

Here's what really resonated with me as a business owner: Robin's insight about external accountability. When you work for yourself, you can create the perfect work environment - great coffee, nice view, flexible hours - but you can't recreate having a boss.

"When I get up in the morning and look in the mirror, it's the boss looking back," Robin said. "He's my boss, but he is a lunatic and he doesn't always listen to me."

This is why so many of us don't procrastinate when it comes to client work - we're accountable to someone else. But our own projects? That's where we struggle.

Practical Strategies for Bookkeepers

So how do you apply this to your bookkeeping business? Here are some key takeaways:

For repetitive tasks: Tie boring work to rewards or consequences. Maybe you can't check social media until you've reconciled that difficult account, or you treat yourself to your favorite coffee after completing month-end procedures.

For focus: Work in environments and times when you naturally have more acetylcholine. Some people find morning works best, others need the pressure of afternoon deadlines.

For accountability: Find ways to create external pressure. This could be working with a coach, having an accountability partner, or even just telling someone what you plan to accomplish by when.

The Momentum Formula

Robin's approach isn't just about getting started - it's about maintaining momentum. His formula is simple but powerful: "Do it today, profit tomorrow, and repeat."

The "repeat" part is crucial. We all have cupboards full of planners that worked for a while and then stopped. The key is understanding that momentum is a skill you can develop, not just something that happens to you.

Why This Matters for Your Business

As bookkeepers, we're often dealing with tasks that aren't naturally exciting. Tax deadlines, reconciliations, data entry - these aren't typically the fun parts of running a business. But understanding the science behind procrastination can help you work with your brain instead of against it.

When you procrastinate on client work, it doesn't just affect you - it affects your team, your clients, and your reputation. The strategies Robin shares can help you stay ahead of deadlines and maintain the quality your clients expect.

The Bottom Line

Procrastination isn't a character flaw or a lack of willpower. It's a normal brain function that can be understood and managed. By recognizing when you're in "threat modality" and learning to activate your Inner Productivity Team, you can transform how you approach the less exciting parts of your business.

Remember, you can't get back time, but you can learn to use it more effectively. And sometimes, that starts with understanding why your brain works the way it does.

Want to hear the full conversation with Robin? Check out the complete podcast episode where we dive deeper into his research and practical strategies for overcoming procrastination.

Connect with Robin

🌐 Website: getresultsology.com

🎙️ Goalbusters Podcast: getresultsology.com/podcast

📱 Instagram: @robinjemdon instagram.com/robinjemdon

💼 Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/robinjemdon

Connect with The Ambitious Bookkeeper®

🌐 Website: ambitiousbookkeeper.com

👩‍💻 Blog: ambitiousbookkeeper.com/blog

📱 Instagram: instagram.com/ambitiousbookkeeper

📱 Facebook: facebook.com/serenashoupcpa

💼 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/SerenaShoup

For experienced bookkeepers & accountants:

Learn how to start your bookkeeping business in The Bookkeeping Business Accelerator® >>

Grab my FREE Start your Bookkeeping Biz Checklist >>

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For new bookkeepers:

Learn the fundamental accounting skills in Katie Ferro's Become a Bookkeeper >>

For online course creators:

Become a client at my firm, Of Course Financial >>

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