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Welcome to another edition of the 1% Habits Newsletter!

This is where you’ll get up-to-date information on small wins to improve your habits, productivity, and life satisfaction. 

Let’s get to it.

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📈 The Real Cost of Procrastination (And How to Prevent It)

I’ll never forget the time I ignored a nagging chest pain for several days.

I chalked it up to stress, too much caffeinated tea, or maybe just sleeping in a weird position. I was swamped with my business, and the idea of taking time off for a doctor’s appointment felt almost impossible. But as the days went on, the discomfort grew, and I started to worry.

Finally, at my wife’s urging, I called my doctor. Thankfully, it turned out to be nothing serious, but the doctor told me plainly:

Waiting could have had very different consequences.

That experience was a wake-up call. It made me realize how easy it is to push aside potential emergencies—especially the ones that don’t come with sirens blaring or urgent phone calls.

We all have those obvious moments when we have no choice but to drop everything: a family member in crisis, a furnace breaking in the dead of winter, or a child who suddenly gets sick.

But more often, it’s the quieter signals—the letter from the IRS, the friend’s late-night text, the strange ache or pain—that we’re tempted to ignore, hoping they’ll just go away.

The truth is, procrastination isn’t just about missing deadlines or feeling a little frazzled. It can have real, sometimes devastating, consequences for our health, our relationships, and even our finances.

What starts as a small issue can snowball into something much bigger if we let it slip through the cracks.

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Why It’s Crucial to Act on Potential Emergencies

Ignoring these “quiet emergencies” can lead to outcomes we’d never want: serious illness, broken relationships, financial trouble, or worse.

As Bronnie Ware wrote in The Top Five Regrets of the Dying, many people’s greatest regrets aren’t about the things they did, but the things they didn’t do—especially when it came to caring for themselves and their loved ones. It’s a powerful reminder that nothing on your calendar is more important than your wellbeing or that of your family.

How to Respond When Something Feels Off

Here’s a simple, actionable process you can use the next time a potential emergency crops up:

Step 1: Ask Yourself Key Questions

● What’s the worst-case scenario if I ignore this?

● How could this affect my friends or family if it gets worse?

● What tasks or obligations can I postpone to address this right now?

● What’s one small step I can take today to move this forward?

● If it’s not urgent, when is the soonest I can realistically deal with it?

Step 2: Take Immediate Action

● Health concerns: If you’re worried about your health, book that doctor’s appointment—even if it means rescheduling something else. If you’re not sure what to say, try: “Hi, I’ve been having some symptoms that concern me and would like to get checked out as soon as possible.”

● Relationship issues: If a friend reaches out in distress, call or text them back. You might say: “Hey, I saw your message and wanted to check in. Do you want to talk?”

● Paperwork or official notices: If you get a letter or call that makes you anxious, open it and deal with it, or ask for help if you need it. If you’re overwhelmed, forward it to someone you trust or call a professional for advice.

● Tough conversations: If there’s a difficult conversation you’ve been avoiding with a loved one or colleague, schedule it. You can use: “Can we talk for a few minutes? There’s something important on my mind.”

Bonus Step: Create a “Potential Emergency” Checklist

● Make a list of warning signs that you personally tend to ignore (e.g., health symptoms, unread official mail, avoidance of certain people or tasks).

● Post this checklist somewhere visible—on your fridge, computer, or inside your planner.

● When something from the list pops up, use it as your cue to act right away.

Set Up Reminders and Accountability

● Use your phone or calendar to set a recurring reminder: “Is there anything I’m avoiding that could become urgent?”

● Tell a spouse, friend, or coworker about your intention to act on potential emergencies. Ask them to check in with you weekly.

● For big tasks, break them into the smallest next step. (Example: Instead of “handle taxes,” make the first step “open the envelope.”)

Make It a Habit

● Daily: At the end of each day, ask yourself: “Did I notice anything today that needs attention?” If so, write down the next action and put it on tomorrow’s to-do list.

● Weekly: Do a “procrastination review.” Look at emails, mail, and your calendar for anything you’ve been putting off that could escalate. Tackle at least one item from this list each week.

● Monthly: Reflect on your past month. Did you ignore any warning signs? What patterns do you notice? Set a goal for the next month to respond more quickly to similar situations.

Remember, no job or meeting is more important than your health or your loved ones’ wellbeing. Future emergencies can often be prevented by acting on the small warning signs today. The next time something feels off, don’t wait—take care of it now. Your future self (and your family) will thank you.

Talk soon,

Steve

📺 Today’s Featured Video

Today’s video, The Top 5 Regrets of the Dying, explores the most common reflections people have at the end of their lives, based on the work of Bronnie Ware. It’s a powerful reminder to prioritize what truly matters, act on the important things now, and avoid the pain of regret later. If you need a little motivation to stop putting off those uncomfortable but crucial actions, this video will give you the perspective you need.

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