Our conquest to overcome procrastination continues. Previously, we tackled the issue of low expectations. Today, we shall take a look at the disconnect between action and reward and how we can deal with it.
In a nutshell, we are more likely to procrastinate if the work we do now isn’t pleasant or if it doesn’t yield instant-gratification. This is the “disconnect” between the work we do and the reward we get. The reward is delayed, so we are more prone to distract ourselves with things that are instantly satisfying. Like sleep.
Procrastination, Laziness and You
1) Inject Meaning
As one reader pointed out in a previous article, the work we do can give us a “high” when completed, but the high is deferred till after we complete the work, forcing us to work. Or procrastinate.
One possible way to bring that feeling of satisfaction closer to the actual work process, rather than to the end of it, is to convince ourselves that the task we are doing has a meaning to it. Rather than view each task as a standalone objective, view it as a stepping stone to larger goals. Draw links to your current work and the overarching wants and desires you have. Thus the reward isn’t merely in completion, but in the process of completing the work. Every second spent on the work is a second advancing something you know you want.
2) Scale the Difficulty
Repetitive tasks are boring; ditto with easy ones. One tactic to get over procrastination is to make the work a reward in itself. This is much easier said than done.
However, one way to make a boring pile of work more engaging is to practice a concept called “Flow”. This is where the difficulty of a task tallies with your skill. Challenges stimulate action; easiness does otherwise. Of course, care must be taken as to not overinflate the difficulty of a task. If it overwhelms you, chances are you would be put off by it anyway.
In a state of flow, your mind is working in overdrive. Often times, those in a state of flow lose track of time and become totally absorbed in the task at hand. This is a good way to tackle boredom and apathy with a task, especially if the reward is delayed.
3) Make the Task Pleasant
In a dream world, filing taxes would be pleasant. In reality, if it wasn’t for the law looming behind our backs, we would avoid it like the plague. Some tasks are so mind-numbingly boring that we can feel our brain cells slowly committing seppuku as we progress. Naturally, we avoid them.
To counter this, make the task pleasant wherever possible. Sandwich frustrating tasks with real rewards; make those rewards contingent upon milestones in your work. This isn’t a full-proof method, but the basic idea is to do whatever possible to make the work bearable.
So while procrastinating on writing my next article, and a whole bunch of other tasks I have to do. Your last 3 posts have really drilled it home and helping to get me motivated. I wrapped up an article today. Attacking items that are lowest on the scale of difficulty. This helped me push forward and get things off my list. Thanks for the encouragement. I think the hardest part is to stay focused on the task and focused on trying to reach the goal that you have set out for yourself. Always a pleasure reading. Cheers -Pat
Awesome post, Annetta. Procrastination is a thief. It steals those things that are most important to us. The key to success is to put your foot on the throat of procrastination and kill it once and for all. I once listened to an audio program by John Maxwell where he laid out a secret he uses to ensure he gets things done. What he would do is repeat these simple words “do it now” over and over again. Whenever he was faced with a task and was tempted to procrastinate, he would think of the words “do it now” and this would move him to action.
I hope that helps someone out there. Thanks for sharing!
@ Pat Drummond:
Thanks for the awesome comment Pat! It’s nice to know that my articles helped you in some way. God bless you in your endeavor! Cheers! 😀
@ Etieno Etuk:
Great! I appreciate you sharing that tip from John Maxwell. I know it’ll help my other readers too. Thanks Etieno! 😀
I have been exploring for a bit for any high quality articles or weblog posts on this kind of space .
Exploring in Yahoo I ultimately stumbled upon this
site. Reading this info So i am glad to express that I have an incredibly just right uncanny feeling I came upon exactly what I needed.
I most unquestionably will make certain to don?t disregard this site and provides it a glance on a continuing basis.
I’m amazed, I must say. Rarely do I come across a blog that’s equally educative and
engaging, and let me tell you, you’ve hit the nail on the head.
The problem is an issue that too few folks are speaking intelligently about.
I am very happy that I stumbled across this during my hunt for
something concerning this.