4

Story TimeRationalizations and Other Bad Habits

The most pernicious aspect of procrastination is that it can become a habit. We don’t just put off our lives today; we put them off till our deathbed.

—STEVEN PRESSFIELD

THE BIG IDEA

Rationalizations are success killers.

So far, we have determined that every Moment of Discomfort is accompanied by a Moment of Decision, and that these moments are simultaneous, inevitable, and unavoidable. We have also established that the decision to be made can be boiled down to a simple choice: will I do the bold (although uncomfortable) thing, or will I give in to my desire for comfort and find an easier path?

Suppose you have been working with a prospect for some time and everything is going well. Of course ...

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