Why we act contrary to common sense, procrastinate and choose the worst options

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

In theory, everything is simple: you set a goal, go to it, achieve what you want and enjoy life. In theory, but not in practice. Akrasia is what stands in our way. It's time to learn how to resist this unpleasant phenomenon.

In the summer of 1830, Victor Hugo found himself in a difficult situation. Twelve months earlier, the famous French writer had entered into an agreement with the publisher to create the novel Notre Dame Cathedral. Instead of writing the book, Hugo spent a year in entertainment and other interesting pursuits, and work on the novel was delayed and delayed. The publisher got tired of this, and he delivered a tough ultimatum: the book should be ready by February 1831 - it turns out that the author had six months left.

To force himself to get down to business, Victor Hugo developed an unusual plan. The writer gathered all his clothes and locked them up, leaving only a large shawl to cover his nakedness. Now Hugo did not have the opportunity to go out, he only had to deal with the novel. The author plunged headlong into the work and worked, as if possessed, all autumn and half of winter. Notre Dame Cathedral was completed on January 14, 1831, two weeks ahead of schedule.

Good old akrasia

It is human nature to procrastinate. Even Victor Hugo, an unusually prolific writer, could not resist what distracted him from his work. This problem has been relevant at all times; references to it are found in the works of Socrates and Aristotle. Akrasia - this is what the ancient Greek philosophers called it.

Akrasia is a state where we act contrary to common sense. Do you behave in a certain way, although you were going to do something completely different? Here it is. Simply put, akrasia is the same procrastination or lack of self-control. It keeps us from moving towards the goal and prevents us from doing what we have planned.

Why did Hugo enter into a contract for the creation of the book and did not start working on it for more than a year? Why do we make plans, set deadlines, but in the end nothing happens?

Why we plan but don't

To understand how akrasia governs our lives, one must turn to behavioral economics. She explains this by the fact that our brain appreciates the pleasure that can be received now, rather than in the future.

When you make plans - for example, going to lose weight, write a book, or learn a foreign language - you create a rosy image of your "future self."

You imagine how life will be transformed after a while, the brain likes such prospects, and he agrees that it is worth making some effort for this.

When it's time to do something to make dreams come true, this image loses its former attractiveness. The brain now thinks exclusively in the present tense, it is not interested in what will happen next. That is why in the evening we go to bed with a reinforced concrete determination to change our lives tomorrow, and in the morning we behave as before. Plans are good, but fun right now is even better.

Strive to achieve success - learn to put off the pleasant for later. When you can handle the temptation of instant gratification, bridging the gap between what is now and what you are about to achieve will be much easier.

Akrasia vaccine: three ways to beat procrastination

If you want to break the procrastination habit and start doing whatever you have planned, here are three options.

1. Create an enabling environment

When Victor Hugo hid all his clothes to focus on his work, he acted in full accordance with the method of self-restraint. The essence of this practice: we shape our behavior by blocking access to all kinds of obstacles and encouraging the right course of action.

You can take control of your meals by purchasing food in small portions. Tired of wasting time with your eyes on your smartphone screen - remove games and social apps. Has online gaming become a problem? Ask for a ban list. Set up an automatic transfer of a certain amount to a separate account and start saving money already.

Each situation will have its own solution, but the idea is the same: the practice of self-restraint helps you direct behavior in the right direction. Do not rely on willpower - create such conditions in which it will be simply unrealistic to deviate from the intended plan. Become the creator of your future, not a victim of it.

2. Do not think, but do

The feeling of guilt from endlessly postponing things for later is a torture worse than the most disgusting work. As Eliezer Yudkowsky pointed out, there will be less suffering from a half-done job than if you remain stuck in procrastination.

So why do we keep putting things on the back burner? Because the hardest thing is to start. It is very important to form the habit of acting immediately and without unnecessary hesitation. Do, and do not hesitate whether you will succeed or not. Just start, it gets easier.

Put all your energy into creating a ritual that will help you get started as quickly as possible, and do not worry about the results ahead of time.

3. Make your intentions as specific as possible

Planning to go to the gym someday is pointless. If you want to do something, stipulate all the conditions: "I will go there tomorrow at 18:00 and I will study for at least half an hour."

The results of hundreds of studies show one thing: the more precise the intention, the more chances it has to be realized. And this applies to absolutely everything from sports to flu shots. Scientists studied the behavior of 3,272 employees of one of the companies who needed to be vaccinated. Basically, the vaccination was done by those who immediately appointed a day and time for this event.

The idea looks ridiculously simple, but this approach really works: the accuracy in the formulation of plans and intentions increases the chances of getting things done two to three times.

From akrasia to encratia

The brain doesn't like to wait, it likes to be rewarded right away. Nothing can be done, this is how our consciousness is arranged. Sometimes we have to choose strange ways to achieve goals, just like Hugo with his clothes. But it's worth it - if, of course, the goal is really important to you.

According to Aristotle, the opposite of akrasia is encratia. Akratia forces us to give up and surrender to the mercy of procrastination, while enkratia encourages us to take control of our thoughts and actions. Complete self-control is what it is. Create an enabling environment, shorten the time from idea to implementation, and make intentions as specific as possible. Fill your life with enkratia and drive the akrasia away.