The Unconventional Cure for Procrastination

We've all been there, staring at a task we know we should be doing but just can't seem to motivate ourselves to start. It's not that we're clueless about what needs to be done. Instead, we face a powerful feeling of resistance when it comes to tasks that are good for us. This resistance can make such tasks feel utterly boring compared to the multitude of distractions available at our fingertips.

The Problem with Common Strategies

A common thread in self-improvement advice tends to focus on various tactics to trick the brain into getting the job done – setting timers, trying to shift our thoughts towards positivity, and so forth. However, these strategies often lose their effectiveness after a while. So, is there a surefire strategy that consistently works?

The Unlikely Solution: Boredom

Ironically, the answer is both the problem and the solution: boredom. The truth is, our brains don't perceive entertainment in absolute terms. It's all relative. Think of it as akin to our perception of light. After spending hours in the sun, a dimly lit room seems extremely dark. Alternatively, if you wake up in the middle of the night and turn on the lights, they're blinding, even though they're the same as they were before you went to sleep. Our brains work on contrasts and comparisons.

Applying the Boredom Principle

Applying this principle to overcoming procrastination, the key is to eliminate distractions - the 'back doors' your brain is using to escape the 'boring' task. If you sit in a room with no phone, no games, no other options, you're likely to start on the task you need to do, simply because it becomes more entertaining compared to doing absolutely nothing.

Backing up this theory, a study published in Science in 2014 showed that people prefer to electrocute themselves rather than sit alone in a room with their thoughts – a stark indicator of how much we humans detest boredom.

The Power of Environmental Conditioning

One of the most productive periods of my life was when I lived in a small basement with no distractions, and all I had to do was edit videos. The lack of distractions made editing videos feel entertaining and fulfilling. This personal experience aligns with the concept of our brain making whatever our only option is as entertaining as it needs to survive boredom.

The Strategy in Action

So, if you're struggling with procrastination, consider this: eliminate all distractions and back doors. Turn off your phone, hide the toolbar on your computer, make your task the most 'entertaining' thing available, and watch how your perception changes. You might just find it makes your life more fulfilling and engaging than ever before.

Remember, productivity isn't about denying ourselves entertainment; it's about changing our perspective on what is truly entertaining and fulfilling.