Trick and treat your brain to beat procrastination

You know you should sit down and do some work – study for that exam, make a start on the big project, but you’re not in the mood.

In this week’s Neurotechnology Tip, I share a secret to getting in the mood. Okay, maybe that is a bit of an exaggeration, sometimes you do manage to really get in the mood, sometimes the mood is still a problem. Nevertheless, when all is said and done, using this little trick means you can get something done, despite of your mood.

Your brain is having trouble getting started

The biggest hurdle to doing anything constructive, is persuading your brain to get started, because it has decided that the task at hand is monumental aka impossible work.

Overwhelmed, it actually opts to do easy things, sometimes boring and pointless, but always easy things.

You re-organize your desk or bookshelf
You sharpen all the pencils
You make yourself a snack, then wash it down with another cup of coffee
You share what you just ate on your facebook page

So how do you trick your brain ?

Set the alarm on your cell phone (or a kitchen timer) for 30 minutes, then sit down at your desk and activate the clock.

Whilst sitting at the desk, you may do one of the following things …………

1. Stare out the window, or at the wall.

2. Sit and do absolutely nothing

3. Do the task at hand, study chemistry or put together that killer proposal

Under no circumstances, can you get off the chair – not to eat, to pee, to answer the phone.

Under no circumstances can you do anything else ! No facebook, no twitter – NOTHING else.

Just sit there. With the pages open.

Brain will get bored pretty quickly

It won’t take too long before your brain will be really really bored.

Bored to tears – it will suddenly find the task at hand, somewhat entertaining. More often than not, the act of getting started is enough to carry you through.

Momentum saves the day

The principle of momentum says …………

Getting something to move in the first place, is way harder than keeping something that is already moving going.

So a moving brain, gets things done and beats procrastination.

Reward the moving

When the alarm rings, reward your brain and give it an opportunity to slack off for 10 – 15 minutes. Time this as well, or the 15 minute break will potentially run into a 150 minute break down.

Then, set the timer, sit at the desk and follow the rules.

I know, it’s not rocket science, but it works – give it a try. You’ll be amazed at what your brain can accomplish in 30 minute bites.

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