{"id":4050,"date":"2023-09-07T02:18:18","date_gmt":"2023-09-07T06:18:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/parmaks.com\/Resources\/how-to-stop-procrastinating-for-good\/"},"modified":"2023-09-07T02:18:18","modified_gmt":"2023-09-07T06:18:18","slug":"how-to-stop-procrastinating-for-good","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/parmaks.com\/Resources\/how-to-stop-procrastinating-for-good\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Stop Procrastinating for Good"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Profit<\/a>
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Procrastination is a ubiquitous part of the human experience. <\/p>\n

Although the challenges of modern life\u2013hyper-connectedness, endless distractions, and overstimulation\u2013have exacerbated the problem, human beings have struggled to \u201cget stuff done\u201d since time immemorial. <\/p>\n

The most sinister element of procrastination is that it is largely unintentional<\/em> and often feels uncontrollable. <\/em><\/p>\n

No one wakes up and says to themselves, \u201cToday is a great day to sabotage my chances of success and heap a few extra helpings of anxiety onto my plate!\u201d<\/p>\n

We all want <\/em>to beat procrastination. We want to get more done, be more proactive, and make progress toward the vision we\u2019ve set. But when it comes time to actually do the work, <\/em>we find ourselves incapable of getting it done. <\/p>\n

But there is <\/em>a solution and you can <\/em>beat procrastination.<\/p>\n

And in this guide, I\u2019m going to help you kill your inner procrastinator once and for all\u2026using science. <\/p>\n

I. What is Procrastination? <\/strong><\/h2>\n

At the most basic level, procrastination is simply the act of delaying a task(s) that needs to be completed. <\/p>\n

And many time management \u201cexperts\u201d suggest that procrastination is simply the act of going against your better judgment. Of losing self-control. Of doing (or more often not <\/em>doing) something in the present moment that you will regret in the future. <\/p>\n

But when you peel back the curtain and look at what is really <\/em>going on, you will quickly realize that the real definition of procrastination goes so much deeper. <\/p>\n

The assumption that \u201cprocrastination = lack of self-control\u201d can <\/em>be true under certain circumstances. But this definition ignores the numerous biases and faulty strings of logic to which your brain falls victim (we\u2019ll talk about these in just a moment). <\/p>\n

A more cogent definition is this. <\/p>\n

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Procrastination is the act of either intentionally or unintentionally delaying a task that must be accomplished. <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

While this might seem like a trivial difference, it\u2019s essential to understand that procrastination does not always stem from a lack of willpower. <\/p>\n

Because, to find the appropriate cure to procrastination, you must first understand its various forms and sources. <\/p>\n

II. The \u201cThree Kings of Mediocrity\u201d: Why We <\/strong>Really <\/strong><\/em>Procrastinate<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Accepting this updated definition of procrastination is great. But what do we actually do about it? Why is it that we procrastinate and, more importantly, how can we stop? <\/p>\n

According to both anecdotal evidence and psychological research, there are three primary reasons why humans procrastinate. <\/p>\n

1. Time Inconsistency <\/strong><\/h2>\n

Time inconsistency<\/a>, a term derived from behavioral psychology, refers to the tendency of the human brain to value instant gratification more than delayed gratification. Even when the latter is more significant. <\/p>\n

As James Clear<\/a> put it, \u201cThe best way to understand this is by imagining that you have two selves: your Present Self and your Future Self.\u201d <\/p>\n

When you set a goal or write down a plan, you are imagining what you want your life to be like in the future<\/em>. You are looking after \u201cfuture you\u201d and, in that moment, it\u2019s easy to see the positive benefits of working toward that goal or carrying out that plan. <\/p>\n

But there\u2019s a problem. <\/p>\n

When your planning and goal setting are complete and you find yourself back in the present moment you\u2019re no longer looking after \u201cFuture You.\u201d You are living and caring for \u201cPresent You.\u201d And research has shown that present you really <\/em>likes instant gratification. <\/p>\n

Almost as much as Kayne West likes Kayne West (almost\u2026) <\/p>\n

And so, you enter into a war between your two selves. Future You and Present You. <\/p>\n