4 ms·
The ideas that you mention are discussed in the book, and fit in the procrastination equation. For example, when you chop up your main work into little chunks a
by Flimm 3y ago
The ideas that you mention are discussed in the book, and fit in the procrastination equation. For example, when you chop up your main work into little chunks and reward yourself for each chunk, you are decreasing the delay factor of the equation, by decreasing the time it takes to get the first taste of a reward. You are also increasing the value factor, by adding additional rewards, and increasing the expectancy factor, but making the first baby steps seem more achievable.
- mopierotti 3y agoIn my experience/understanding, one's emotions are a better explanation of procrastination than an insufficient ability to "delay gratification". For example if you feel anxious/hopeless/overwhelmed, you might not perceive the theoretical eventual gratification as a potential outcome, or might avoid thinking much about a task at all. Seen through this lens, the subdivision trick is more of a way to manufacture a provisional motivation framework and engage with a task in a less emotionally threatening way. (With the hope that this framework can either carry you through the task or can be discarded after your negative emotions have been reduced) I realize this doesn't directly contradict any points you made, but to me the procrastination equation doesn't feel like the most fruitful mental model of procrastination to start with.
- lazide 3y agoYeah. Except that isn’t what is happening in my experience. Task avoidance (even at the cost of doing many other undesirable tasks) is a better model for many people.