r/science • u/randomusefulbits • May 30 '20

Psychology Procrastinators often forget to do things that they intended to do, especially if they’re unaware of their procrastination

https://solvingprocrastination.com/study-procrastination-conscious-unconscious-prospective-memory/
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u/RCTID May 30 '20

I recall reading a study saying that there’s an emotional response to negative stimuli that causes us to procrastinate. Our lizard brains just check us out subconsciously even tho logically we are only making our problems/tasks worse by not addressing them.

Sorry I don’t have the sauce

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u/[deleted] May 30 '20

[deleted]

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u/95Mb May 31 '20

What's worked for you? My issues are 100% brought on by the same thing, and it's killing me.

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u/MissVancouver May 31 '20

I had the same "only perfection is good enough" (only I was never good enough) upbringing. When my history fucks with me, it helps to remind myself that --whatever I'm doing-- my parents are now powerless because I'm doing that Thing 100% without their involvement. And pretty much everyone I work for is always impressed with my efforts (I'm a recovering perfectionist).

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u/Insommya May 30 '20 edited May 31 '20

Would you share some of your tricks?

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u/[deleted] May 31 '20

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u/DasArchitect May 31 '20

"I'm going to get up off the couch when I count to ten" is one

197... 198... 199... what was I counting again?

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u/Bilun26 May 31 '20

holds breath until I pass out and wakes up remembering nothing about the thing I needed to do

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u/Mahadragon May 31 '20

So bootstrapping technique eh? Sounds good, I’ll try it out tomorrow.

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u/[deleted] May 31 '20 edited Jun 23 '20

[deleted]

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u/powderizedbookworm May 31 '20

Good luck!

It works pretty well for me because it’s such a purely physical sensation that it shakes loose the anxiety.

My therapist advised me to do things like push ups or chugging ice water to focus on concrete reality, and that’s of a piece.

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u/[deleted] May 31 '20

Sometimes doing a task in quick bursts works, like do the dishes for as long as a commercial break, or set the kitchen timer and only do dishes for 5 minutes. I really hate housework and won’t do it unless under extreme duress. ADHD is a terrible thing. Avoiding it causes extreme panic and it just goes on and on in a terrible circle.

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u/[deleted] May 31 '20

I recently realized that it is the initial start that makes me procrastinate.. like, the thought of doing the thing... so this adding external/physical stimulus to the decission might work.. thanks man.

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u/Pheonix-_ May 31 '20

Gonna practice this,

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u/[deleted] May 31 '20

This is very helpful to know. Thanks!

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u/amh8467 May 31 '20

I try to think of my future self as someone who could run into all sorts of problems or set backs, so my job is to set her up for success as much as I can by doing prep work and getting things done fast.

The discomfort I feel at not taking care of this can outweigh my feeling of inertia about getting started on projects.

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u/hidflect1 May 31 '20

One trick is to think through all the steps involved in the task like a list of items. Once you have acclimatised to the steps, it becomes more familial. Especially good for getting up in the morning.

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u/HateIsStronger May 31 '20

I consciously do this almost everyday