Have you ever had a big project assigned weeks before the due date, but you decided to cram all the work into one night? If this sounds like your working style, you would probably call yourself a procrastinator.
Whether you like it or not, you may find yourself scrambling through work rather than tapering your tasks to fit your energy and schedule. This video can give you a little insight into why you procrastinate and help you maintain your motivation to work ahead!
The Lesson
The video explains instant gratification and the reason procrastinators are tempted to wait. He explains in the video how instant gratification has no memory of the past and no knowledge of the future. Working out of instant gratification has two primary causes: convenience and fun. He explains this in the video as your “instant gratification monkey.”
As funny as this picture is, it is a great analogy for our desire to avoid hard things and jump straight to the easy and fun things. Longer tasks are difficult to do when there’s a delayed reward.
New Discipline
A procrastinator’s mind creates conflict between the ideas of instant gratification and the benefits of working in a healthy time frame. Discipline may not start until you remind yourself of your long-term goals. Remind yourself why you wanted that promotion, that degree, or a good grade in that class. Your work will not only be more time-efficient but also better quality.
Imagine how much more efficiently you would work if you could learn to be motivated by your goals instead of your deadlines! Teach your “instant gratification monkey” that a quick reward won’t always make you the happiest.
Now stop reading this and go finish that project you have been putting off!
For more insight on getting yourself motivated, consider our article How To STAY Motivated In Your Health Goals For 2022.
