A Scientific Way to Beat Procrastination
Remember your college days, where everyone would brag about how they were able to pull off a miracle all-nighter?
Tired of forgetting the books you’ve read?
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Although cramming is far from optimal in terms of the quality of work that is produced, it is quite useful in getting a fire lit under our asses, isn’t it?
According to a study on procrastination, this last-minute hoorah is inspired by the fact that there is no way out.
Better yet, this feeling can be controlled (without the worry and paranoia) by ‘pre-committing’ to a task before it’s begun.
There are a couple of ways to go about this:
#1 The Extreme
One of the more extreme (and highly creative) alternatives is a web app called stickK, which allows you to pre-commit to a goal that you must complete by a certain deadline.
Before you can set a goal up, you have to lay down some cash, and if you miss your deadline the money becomes locked and is donated to a charity that you hate!
#2 The Middle Option
Make a public commitment.
Share your plan with a friend or email someone “I will have that for you tomorrow by 5 PM”.
Leave a healthy amount of time for emergencies, but don’t give yourself a week when you really need a day or two.
#3 The Less Extreme
Write down when and where you will complete a task.
Students who did this were far more likely to complete assignments.
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