How I Stopped Procrastinating

We start off with checking our phones for a notification, an hour passes by and we do not even realize it. Sound familiar?

It is a bad habit that seems difficult to shake off. The most important part of solving a problem is understanding it’s the source and in this situation, it is no different.

Problem:

Hedonism is why you procrastinate. Epicurus claimed everything we do is for the sake of pleasure and avoiding pain. For example, you remember that long project that was really boring that you did not want to do? How many times did you check social media or watch Netflix? It must have been so many times you lost count. In this example, you escape your pain and agony of the project by making yourself happy at the moment, sacrificing your future for the now. But why?

From an evolutionary standpoint, we were never sure if there ever was another tomorrow. When we did not have proper housing, spare food, and water, not to mention the animals that could have attacked you in the middle of the night.

Solution:

In order to solve this evolutionary habit, we need to identify what type of procrastinator you are.

Ruminator: The ones who overthink and can not make a decision

Motivation: Not making them a decision absolves them from the responsibility of the future outcome

Avoider: The ones who avoid the task at hand because of the fear of failure (or in some case fear of success)

Motivation: They are concerned with what others think of them and would have others think that they lack effort instead of ability

Perfectionist: The ones who aren’t happy with anything unless they do unless it’s 100% error-free

Motivation: The one who would rather do nothing than having to face the prospect of having to measure up to their own standards

Along with that, there are 3 distinct lies you tell yourself every time you don’t feel like doing it:

I work best under pressure (You don’t!)

This is not important (It usually is!)

I’ll feel like doing this tomorrow (You don’t!)

1. Visualize what you want to do

Distraction serves as a method of self-regulation, It’s a diversionary tactic to keep your fear of failure under control. To counteract this, start planning what you do and then close your eyes and visualize yourself doing it.

Research shows that when we imagine something the same areas light up in the sensorimotor region of your brain as if you were doing it for real.

Goal: to get yourself in the right headspace to work

Important tip: When visualizing think about what exactly makes you reluctant to do the task, when you find it then you can work through it. Often people are reluctant to do tasks without a proper reason, if this is the case, then what are you waiting for?

2. Ask Yourself Important Questions

The next time you find yourself putting off something important, for even a moment, ask yourself this:

Is how BAD I’m going to feel when I have to rush this task under pressure going to be anything like how great I’ll feel when I got it under control in a good time?

Depending on our circumstance, we are all afraid of failure, whether that be in school or some opportunity that comes our way. We all need to ask ourselves “what is the worst that can happen anyway?

We usually imagine things to be far worse than they really are. This is especially true for failure. Thinking out loud will help you realize whether or not your idea of the worst possible circumstance is sensible.

3. Contract our your time

We all hear that time is our most important asset as we can not get it back or have some sort of replacement. Set a predetermined period in advance, where you make a contract with yourself to work on whatever needs to be done, turning off anything that isn’t DIRECTLY related to what you are doing. Your phone should be out of your arm’s reach, you should find an environment away from anything the distracts you (i.e. do not go into the living room when everyone is home).