Less Busy Lab

The Procrastination Doom Loop: How to Break Free (Science-Backed Strategies)


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You know you should start that project. You know the deadline is looming. So why are you watching TikTok instead? It's actually not a willpower problem, and it’s not poor time management.

In this episode, Alex and Moah dig into the surprising science of procrastination. It turns out that the conventional wisdom about why some of us put things off, wait until the last minute, and even miss deadlines entirely is inaccurate. Instead of doubling down on unhelpful advice, they reveal the tactics that can actually help you get work done on time.

Along the way, you’ll learn about a nude French novelist (one of history’s most famous procrastinators), the three types of procrastination (and why only one is harmful), and three evidence-based strategies you can use to break bad habits.

If you've struggled with procrastination your whole life, there's hope. And it doesn't need to involve nudity ;)

Links from the show!

Seminal paper on procrastination https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17201571/

Procrastinators’ brain https://neurosciencenews.com/doer-procrastinator-brains-9724/

Temptation bundling for exercise https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S074959782030385X

Meta analysis of intervention strategies for Procrastination https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1747938X18300472

Party tricks and Naked Writing https://www.theguardian.com/books/booksblog/2018/dec/30/party-tricks-and-naked-writing-the-eccentric-life-of-victor-hugo

Got to-dos? Get GQueues! gqueues.com

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Less Busy LabBy Aye Moah & Alex Moore