I’m a Shaolin Master – Here’s How to Adopt a ‘Warrior Mindset’ to Stop Procrastinating at Work and in Life

Ever wanted to have the discipline and focus of a monk?

It’s easy to do, says lay monk Walter Gjergja, who practices discipline and concentration for a living.

George, or Shi Xing Mi, is said to be the world’s first official non-Chinese master of the 32nd generation of the Shaolin Temple.

As fall approaches — back to school, back to work — the focused professional, co-founder of Zing Coach, an AI-powered personal training app, urges us to remember that procrastination doesn’t have to be the default setting in our lives.

The tip comes as Google searches for the term “beat procrastination” have soared by 454% in the last month – suggesting we’re hungry for some tips on how to stop excessive downtime and optimize our energy.

Here are four ways — shared with The Post — that the Shaolin discipline can help you beat the waste of time in your life, according to the master himself.

Optimize your energy

“Procrastination thrives when you have low energy levels,” he said. “That’s why Shaolin wisdom teaches that your energy is your first and last resource—everything you achieve depends on how well you manage it. When you’re exhausted, even the simplest tasks seem overwhelming, resulting in procrastination and avoidance .”

And how do we overcome this?

“Optimize your energy by doing physical exercise, meditation and adequate rest. Most importantly, start the day with a focused routine that sets a positive tone and take short breaks to recharge,” the expert explained.

Balance vision and action

“One of the most common reasons for procrastination is missing the bigger picture,” said Gjergja.

“Of course, having a big vision is important, but without actionable steps, it is practically useless. Shaolin philosophy emphasizes the need to balance vision and action.

The fix?

“Instead of getting overwhelmed by the end goal, break it down into smaller tasks. Make a plan that outlines each phase so you can focus on one activity at a time. Remember that a vision without action is a mere dream, and action without vision is like the blind leading the blind.”

Adopt the mindset of a monk and a warrior

“In Shaolin practice, there is a moment to be a monk – calm, reflective and strategic – and another time to be a warrior – focused, determined and ruthless,” the master noted.

“Knowing when one switches between these mindsets is essential to overcoming procrastination. When you find yourself procrastinating, it may be because you are unsure of your next step. It’s time to embrace the monk mindset: pause, reflect and strategize. Ask yourself what is bothering you and what steps you need to take to clear your way forward.

“Once you’ve made a plan, it’s time to adopt the warrior mentality.”

Embrace a mindset of gratitude

And finally, practice being grateful, he urged.

“Procrastination is often caused by a lack of motivation, especially if the tasks are boring or challenging. However, by shifting your attitude to a mindset of gratitude, you can change the way you deal with these challenges,” said Gjergja.

“The Shaolin discipline promotes the value of gratitude as a powerful antidote to life’s inevitable difficulties. Instead of focusing on the difficulties of the task, consider what you will gain—whether it’s information, personal growth, or simply the joy of to complete something essential”, he explained.

“Gratitude helps you see the value of the work you do, even if it seems difficult.”