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I've recently learned that my procrastination is an emotion issue. It turns out that I don't like processing bad outcomes, so, ironically, my brain figures if i
by Osiris 6y ago
I've recently learned that my procrastination is an emotion issue. It turns out that I don't like processing bad outcomes, so, ironically, my brain figures if it just doesn't do something then I'll never have to deal with the outcome.
That, of course, is a logical fallacy. I procrastinate doing taxes because I don't want to find out I owe a bunch of money, but not filing them will have even worse outcomes.
I literally have to convince myself that it's better for me to find out bad news sooner rather than later and that worse outcomes will happen if I don't do something.
I've started using a whiteboard and adding items that need to be done. I can replace the fear of bad news by a good feeling of checking something off the todo list on the whiteboard. I'm trying to train myself to get a good feeling from getting things done to overcome the fear the drives my procrastination.
- snarfy 6y agoYou should change your tax deduction. There is no penalty for overpaying, and it's much nicer to receive a bunch of money every year than to possibly owe it. You won't miss it on your paycheck.
- kortilla 6y ago> There is no penalty for overpaying Present value of money...
- andrewjl 6y agoOpportunity costs hugely outweigh the present value of money in this case. Especially given current risk-free rates.
- kulahan 6y agoWhy would I give the government an interest-free loan when they could give me one instead?
- isolli 6y agoThanks for the idea, I use a notebook to keep track (and hopefully cross out) todo items, but a whiteboard might be an even better idea. More visible, and more flexible... In my case, I have to battle the fallacy that, no matter how good it feels to cross out an item from the todo list, there will always be another item that follows, whereas if I don't do anything, then there will never be another item in my life :|