I’m a Shaolin master — here’s how to adopt a ‘warrior mindset’ to stop procrastinating at work and in life

Ever wish you had the discipline and concentration of a monk?

Easily done, says secular monk Walter Gjergja, who practices discipline and concentration for a living.

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

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

The advice comes as Google searches for the term “overcome procrastination” have jumped by 454% in the last month — suggesting that we’re hungry for some advice on how to stop frittering away time and optimize our energy.

Here are four ways — shared with The Post — that Shaolin discipline can help you vanquish time-wasting 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 both 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 delays and avoidance.”

And how to overcome this?

“Optimize your energy by doing physical exercise, meditation, and adequate rest. Mоrе importantly, begin the day with a focused routine that sets a positive tone, and take brief breaks throughout to refuel,” the expert explained.

Balance vision and action

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

“Sure, having a big vision is important but without аctiоnable steps, it’s practically useless. Shaolin philosophy emphasizes the need to balance vision and аctiоn.”

The fix?

“Instead of becoming overwhelmed by the final goal, divide it into smaller tasks. Make a plan outlining each stage so you can focus on one activity at a time. Remember that a vision without аctiоn is a mere dream and аctiоn without vision is like blind leading the blind.”

Adopt the monk and warrior mindset

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

“Knowing when one switches between these mentalities is essential for beating procrastination. When you find yourself delaying, it could be because you’re unsure about your next step. It is the time to embrace the monk’s mindset:  pause, reflect, and strategize. Ask yourself what bothers you and what steps you need to take to clear your path forward.

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

Embrace a gratitude mindset

And finally, practice being grateful, he urged.

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

“The Shaolin discipline promotes the value of being grateful as a potent remedy to lіfе’s unavoidable hardships. Instead of focusing on the task’s difficulties, consider what you will gain — whether it’s information, pеrsоnal growth, or simply the joy of finishing something essential,” he explained.

“Gratitude helps you to see the worth of the work you do, even if it appears difficult.”