Beating Procrastination

A new episode every Wednesday!

For more information, see:
Zeigarnik, B.V. (1927). Über das Behalten von erledigten und unerledigten Handlungen (The Retention of Completed and Uncompleted Activities), Psychologische Forschung, 9, 1-85.

Fritzsche, B. A, Young, B. R., & Hickson, K. C. (2003). Individual differences in academic procrastination tendency and writing success. Personality & Individuality Differences, 35(7), 1549-57.

The presenter and producers not responsible for any adverse effects resulting from the use of the information presented in this video and this information is not intended to be a substitute for consulting with a healthcare professional.

[riaz]

Ironically, Richard made half of this video five years ago, but only just summoned up the motivation to finish it now.

[guyguy]

This man hasn't aged in 10 years.

Edit: Maybe it was filmed 10 years ago and only uploaded now... maybe he made the procrastination video for himself 🤔

[shadykermit]

I like doing this to stop it:
If you feel yourself procrastinating, start counting down from 5. This triggers some sort of panic reflex in me that makes me immediately want to do any task.

[elsolocanguro]

I have like 10 videos about how to end procrastination on my watchlist, i can't beat this man.

[foxfangs]

as a writer ending my writing sessions in the middle of a chapter is one of the best things to motivate me... thought i was the only one.

[husansidhu]

Finally after years the world needs u the most

[Bongus_Bubogus]

I put this video in my Watch Later watchlist

[estoylaroca]

I've read it on reddit once, but I think it fits.

"Anything worth doing, is worth doing half-assed."

You don't need "motivation" to do something, just do it, even if it's half-assed.
Do the barest minimum.... do 1% of your effort, just start to do it.
Tell yourself, if you really don't like it, you'll stop.

And the kicker? Just stop if you really don't like doing it.

[ananyachowdarymarupudi]

I am actually procrastinating right now, and this video is very helpful. Thankyou!!

[vihaan_]

I have personally experienced this. Once you start something, no matter how hard it seems on paper, you just somehow get a way of doing it.

[JWhitePWC]

i remember reading about this in the book, and i thought it was a super interesting trick. i've tried it myself a few times, and it has proved quite effective. you're a legend, my man. never stop ❤️

[MiniKodjo]

Yeah the classic "when you feel lazy to start something, just start it..." Advice... Really helps...

[raspberryenthusiast]

Yes the Zeigarnik effect is so cool! I believe she first noticed this with waiters in cafés and restaurants, as they could usually remember tables orders well, while the table hadnt paid yet (so it was "unfinished") but as soon as the table paid and left, the waiters usually forgot the order pretty quickly!

[PINKMINK.]

Not me immediately procrastinating by putting it on my watch later instead of actually watching it 😭😭

[Phanton]

Literally happened to me yesterday. Been procrastinating on commentating a video for weeks now, yesterday i commentated the first few minutes and by today I completed all 2 hours, simply because I had already started.
Great advice.

[rudy_ier]

pretty much what happens with a new TV show i've been wanting to watch:
- procrastinate for weeks
- finally said f*** it, just watch first 10 minutes of the show
- can't stop watching, losing sleep, etc.

[NeonSense]

I put this video in my watch later list a week ago, now I just came back to watch this video, let's see how this goes

[Diddley]

Brilliant! I procastinate all the time and I wish I'd heard of this sooner. Starting is the worst part; the rest usually falls into place once I get going. Thank you.

[JasmineSurrealVideos]

I never procrastinate, I just watched this video right away just because it's This Dude Who Posts Infrequently and now he's going at it like buses coming!

[selengeaamarsanaa]

I didn’t realize that you are posting again. I’m so happy that you are back. Wish you all the best. 💗