September is the best month to defeat procrastination

On this day 4 years ago,

I graduated for the final time as a Fellow of The Royal College of Anaesthetists.

The keynote speech that day is the only one I’ve ever truly remembered, despite attending several graduations.

The speaker reminded us that no achievement is truly individual.

We are all here because of the support of our families, friends, and communities. Nobody exists in isolation.

A few days later, one of my best friends and flatmates got married, and I had the privilege of being her bridesmaid.

At the same time, my dad was in ITU with Covid.

That month carried everything joy, achievement, fear, and loss.

Since then, September has become a month of reflection.

I celebrate my dad’s life. I celebrate my friends’ anniversary.

I celebrate how far I’ve come since that graduation.

That speech stuck with me because it wasn’t just about milestones, it was about progress.

Progress isn’t solo; it’s built on habits, cues, and communities.

You wouldn’t be reading this if you hadn’t also chosen to join this community.

Procrastination, Perfection & Habits

I’ve been procrastinating on this newsletter for a little while.

I told myself it was because of other projects, but if I’m honest, that was an excuse, and not because I don’t care, it’s because I care too much.

As I was reflecting on this month, I decided I would put an end to that and do what I promised.

Sharing my journey, which has been unconventional in some ways, so I will start with the ultimate enemy of progress.. Procrastination.

The science around procrastination is clear: procrastination isn’t laziness, it’s emotional regulation.

Here’s what actually happens in the brain:

• Amygdala response: When a task feels high-stakes, uncertain, or deeply tied to identity, your amygdala treats it like a threat.

  Writing, creating, or taking risks can feel as dangerous as standing in front of a tiger.

• Dopamine bias: Meanwhile, your brain craves quick dopamine rewards. Checking your phone or doing an easy task delivers instant gratification.

  The harder, more important task feels painful in comparison.

• Prefrontal cortex tug-of-war: Your rational brain (prefrontal cortex) knows the task matters, but your emotional brain often wins the argument leading to delay.

What's the one thing you've been putting off because it feels too important to mess up? 

The project, the conversation, the decision that keeps getting pushed to

"when I have more time" or "when I figure it out completely"

The way through isn’t to wait for perfect conditions.

It’s to change the habit.

Outcomes aren’t determined by what we want.

They’re shaped by what we do repeatedly.

That’s how I’ve made progress in running.

Not by being a perfect runner, but by showing up, lacing my shoes,removing friction and building the habit of running.

Progress came from consistency, not perfection.

And it’s the same with writing, with work and with life.

Done > Perfect. 

Every single time.

So here’s how I have overcome procrastination and how you can too.

Music, Habits & Flow

One little trick that’s helped me: I’ve formed a habit of putting on a specific track when I need to get into work mode

Allegedly, there’s some science behind it.

Apparently Certain rhythmic patterns can help trigger flow states and enhance creativity by synchronizing neural activity.

Whether or not that’s the whole truth, I know it works for me.

The song has become an anchor: when I hear it, my brain knows it’s time to create.

It’s not about waiting for motivation.

It’s about building cues that pull you into action, so my advice to you is to build an anchor cue.. I love music so no surprise that it works for me.

Maybe for you, it's a specific coffee shop for writing, a particular playlist for deep work, or even just clearing your desk before starting something important.

The ritual matters less than the consistency.

Pick your cue.

Investing, September & Opportunity

In the markets, September has a reputation for being the worst month of the year. Historically, stocks tend to dip.

Most people see that as a negative, but just like in life, dips can be opportunities.

If we know it’s going to dip every year, doesn’t that mean there is an inevitable rise afterwards?

This knowledge changes my behaviour..

For me, September is no longer just a month of loss.

It’s a month of meaning, a time to celebrate my dad, my friends, and my journey.

When it comes to investing, it’s the same: you can choose to see September as a setback or as a chance to position yourself for growth.

So here's my question for you: If you've been procrastinating on investing, on building yourself, or on taking that a bet on yourself

What would change if you saw this moment as your September opportunity 

Knowing that whatever you do would succeed.. what would your next step be?

I hope this serves as a sign.

I made a video breaking this down, including the basics of investing in the UK:

Capital gains vs. rental income, and how to think about stocks.

Because whether in markets or in life,

progress comes from habits, not perfection.

This September, I’m choosing progress.

I hope you will too.

In loving memory of a great man Dad, this one’s for you.