Live data from Hacker News

Research into the reasons for procrastination and how to stop

washingtonpost.com

11–20 of 101 posts

Re: Research into the reasons for procrastination and how to stop

#11
post #5

2 ways to deal with procrastination: 1. Don't worry about it. We all procrastinate and most of the time it works out OK. Our instincts know what they're doing. 2. Break tough tasks down into very, very laughably small tasks. Don't even worry about doing them. Once the first task in the list is small enough you'll think "sod it" and do it right away. If you try to improve your self control you will fail. Go with the g…

pomodoro is a great technique. its similar to #2

Re: Research into the reasons for procrastination and how to stop

#12
post #5

2 ways to deal with procrastination: 1. Don't worry about it. We all procrastinate and most of the time it works out OK. Our instincts know what they're doing. 2. Break tough tasks down into very, very laughably small tasks. Don't even worry about doing them. Once the first task in the list is small enough you'll think "sod it" and do it right away. If you try to improve your self control you will fail. Go with the g…

I didn't even click the article (the pain of reading it seemed too large) so I came directly to the comments. Awesome tips! "Our instincts know what they're doing" is very true. I tend to procrastinate when two conditions are fulfilled 1) the task is boring/painful, and 2) in the back of my mind, I've already calculated out the time and I can afford to push it until later. Trying to force myself just increases my exp…

Isn't procrastination a way of converting painfully boring tasks into fun adrenaline rushes? It seems like a pretty good evolutionary adaption: I perform better when all my senses are elevated, so why not?

Problem arises when you don't have a hard deadline (I.e., you are only accountable to yourself).

Re: Research into the reasons for procrastination and how to stop

#16

This is more or less a copy of http://waitbutwhy.com/2015/03/procrastination-matrix.html . I recommend reading that instead.

He also did a funny TED talk on the topic. At just 14 minutes, it may be more manageable than a lengthy article.

http://waitbutwhy.com/2016/03/my-ted-talk.html

Re: Research into the reasons for procrastination and how to stop

#19
post #9

This may may have been just the article I needed, but I will never know because I realised it must be a good three or four months since I last refreshed my memory about the events leading up to the Chernobyl disaster.

I was about to reply to you but now that you reminded me of Wikipedia... oh goodness, OK, this can wait :-)

Obligatory xkcd: https://xkcd.com/214/

Re: Research into the reasons for procrastination and how to stop

#20
Something I've noticed with my own procrastination is that it often has a strong emotional component. For example, I'll often procrastinate with anything to do with taxes because, even though I know I HAVE to pay it on an intellectual level, it's emotionally difficult for me to part with money.

Often when I've rationally examined the underlying anxiety it becomes much easier to accomplish things.

Post reply on HN