A trick that kinda helped me with procrastination is that I would resolve myself to do a ridiculously easy task. For example read only one page, or make only one push up, or learn only one new word. If I started to show signs of procrastinating instead of doing the task, then I would convince myself to do this task based on how ridiculously easy it is to complete it. Then I would do the minimum amount. And then some more. And some more. So as a result the 1 page became 20 pages, the 1 push became 13 push ups and the 1 new word became 34 new words. When you start doing something then it is extremely easier to continue doing it.
One author I read (I wish I could remember her name) called these “micro-tasks,” and I agree that they can be helpful. Some things just seem too daunting unless I break them into tiny manageable chucks. Unfortunately, snacking works the same way: “I’ll just eat a tiny bit of this ice cream, then just a tiny bit more…”
This has worked well for me too. Especially when I need to go outside to continue building when it's dark and raining. I'll just set the goal for getting a few pieces together. If I really can't continue doing it, it's okay, but usually it gives me the spark that makes me want to do the whole thing.
1.Motivation = (confidence * reward)/(Distraction * delay on reward) 2.Break down tasks 3.Improve experience of study 4.Make reward 5.Have high density fun 6.Remove distraction 7.Set timer for work
What about when procrastination is tied to perfectionism or anxiety about the end result of your work? Like instead of writing the next chapter or chunk of a hypothetical book I'm working on, I'll do *everything* else instead of writing: laundry, wash dishes, more research, run errands, etc.
The way I would conquer procrastination is by either doing an assignment as soon as I had an opportunity to, or set apart a specific time to make myself do the work. I always viewed that if I can get stuff done early, I wouldn't have stress when it was time to relax. At the end of the semester, while everyone else was freaking out, I had already finished all my papers and got to spend about a week doing nothing but playing Bloodborne.
no its not do you know how many things prove the earth is round the pictures ask any astronaut that has been into space he will tell you the earth is round stop being daft
has a serious problem It's okay, the past doesn't matter, what matters is that you change right now. Because in the future you'll only look back on the time you spent with in about procrastination and go, "man I wasted so much time when I could've been working" So go do it now 👍
Just finished a few hours productive work after watching this video, and using some of the techniques here. I'm going to favorite this, just because I have a feeling that nothing worked better than Thomas Frank *telling* me to work. Maybe the video itself is a bit of a short pep talk? It kept the procrastinator in me at bay. Stranger things have worked!
Thanks, you helped me out, I think I can get back up on my own two feet after watching this video. I've been really lazy about school and it's only gotten worse throughout the years. I was doing the bare minimum by this point because I procrastinate so much, and I think this has been the first video to motivate me. I hope this change isn't temporary :)
That high-density vs low-density thing is SO TRUE! Once I realized that, I've been so much happier and still getting my stuff done. Applies to watching things while you work, too.
I've been studying Psychology for the past two months, and I learned that motivation is the real reason why students are procrastinating. Because if they just finish one task for one certain subject they can just take a break of doing whatever they want.
What about bad days and good days? Why they occur? Some days I'm super productive, but other days I can't concentrate on anything and end up wasting my time on 9gag or watching videos about weird GOT/ASOIF theories.
I'm guessing it's because of the impulsiveness factor. I'd say that it fluctuates, and therefore on some days you're more impulsive than others. That would lead to an inverse fluctuation in motivation.
Hail fellow Habitican! I discovered Habitica shortly after graduating college, and it was life-changing. I dearly wish I had known about it when I was in college.
When I study, I have a little reward system set up. I buy a pack or two of gummy bears and for every paragraph I read, I eat one gummy bear. This can also work with other work (Like one question = one bear) or other snacks (other small candies, chips, or anything really). Using this technique actually makes it easier to work because now I have little rewards along the way.
The part about "eating a frog" was really eye opening for me. When I make to-do lists in the morning I put the hardest and longest tasks last (thinking, that I will quickly get a lot of tasks out of the way and feeling good about all the things I already did). But its true that I often use "having done alot" as an excuse to not tackle the hard things. I will definitley try to change that and change the order of my to-do list. Thank you :)
MY GOD. I have a pile of books ive wanted to read and games i bought but "have no time to play" because i have so many assignments but im pretty sure ive spent over 8 hours on the internet today. I could never understand why I do this until you explained high-density and low-density fun. Thanks
I used to watch CollegeInfoGeek when it had a few thousand subscribers, and think to myself "This guy deserves so much more." Now he's doing partnerships with freaking Crash Course! I somehow feel like a proud parent. This man made his own success.
While I do agree that it is better to get the hardest thing out of the way first, there is another concept to be brought up here: futility. Often times I try to do one of the hardest problems first or just go through doing things in order and encounter a really hard problem. If I have no idea how to do the problem, I get a sense of dread and just get stuck stewing on how impossible it is. When any of you are feeling like that, remember this rule: if you've been stuck on a problem or subject for 5 minutes and have not made any sort of progress, move on and try another problem. You can come back to that problem later. Even if you still haven't figured it out, it's better to have eaten some of your frogs than none at all.
I really hate that i've eliminate every distraction from my phone, but now I spend most of my time here on youtube, and i love this platform for so many reasons (bc I need help from educational videos)... but i just can't concentrate and it is so frustrating AHHHH!! Great video by the way, i will try my best to improve my ability to focus!
I like this concept I came up with on my own called Anchoring Points (which might have been coined by others before me, because of course it might have.). Basically you anchor a set of emotions and behavior to a specific spot. You write at, and only at, that coffee shop with the free refills that you like so much. Always do homework at that specific desk at home and always play video games at that big tv. By dividing up your world into different anchor points and anchor regions you help focus yourself on the task at hand, even while in transit to your place of port. Works for me, maybe it does for you. Have a good one!
That can cut either way. If you care about the subject matter, having a crush on the instructor can help motivate you to not screw up. Definitely could be a distraction, too. I've usually found it's the former, for me, though.
I love habitica!!! I'm so glad that this video is gonna spread it around to more people! Habitica has helped me create and stick to a morning and night routine. I also use it for school things that have a very strict due date because losing HP over procrastination would be too upsetting 😂😂
Am I the only one who specifically watch this vid and this series to prepare to school? It's on my today's task list! (I just have the impression everybody here and on youtube are procrastinator)
The thing is whenever i say i'm going to take a break for two hours to try a new game or play my favourite game, those two hours turn into 10 hours or even more.
Sometimes, all you need is go to the beach and have fun. It takes your focus off the negative (which in this case is procrastination), and you just let go. After a while, you'll feel inspired to take the action. You just needed to let go of the struggle in your mind and emotion.
Protip: value can be increased by ways similar to gamification as well. Personally I use food as a prime motivator for completing tasks, not only does it help to refuel you but it also acts as a reward system to push you further.
One other factor that I think plays into procrastination has to do with estimating how long a project will take. If someone thinks a project will only take 1 hour, they put it off until later than if they think it will take 2 hours.
I will procrastinate tomorow
It can wait, I'll do it this weekend.
Un pti com' haha
Eh, I'm sleepy...how about next year?
HAHAHAHAHA
Oi josuke i used procasination to delete procasination!
A trick that kinda helped me with procrastination is that I would resolve myself to do a ridiculously easy task. For example read only one page, or make only one push up, or learn only one new word. If I started to show signs of procrastinating instead of doing the task, then I would convince myself to do this task based on how ridiculously easy it is to complete it. Then I would do the minimum amount. And then some more. And some more. So as a result the 1 page became 20 pages, the 1 push became 13 push ups and the 1 new word became 34 new words. When you start doing something then it is extremely easier to continue doing it.
One author I read (I wish I could remember her name) called these “micro-tasks,” and I agree that they can be helpful. Some things just seem too daunting unless I break them into tiny manageable chucks. Unfortunately, snacking works the same way: “I’ll just eat a tiny bit of this ice cream, then just a tiny bit more…”
This has worked well for me too. Especially when I need to go outside to continue building when it's dark and raining. I'll just set the goal for getting a few pieces together. If I really can't continue doing it, it's okay, but usually it gives me the spark that makes me want to do the whole thing.
I do a very similar thing! I used to be the best procrastinator ever and since doing this I am so much more capable of getting things done on time!
procrastinating on working on my assignments by watching a video on procrastination
So true... Lol
Literally was about to post this then saw yours. This video is one out of like 10 I'm going to watch before I do my homework >.
I'm pretty sure this one counts as a freebie.
Same
xing aoshen same
if i could get a degree in procrastination, i still wouldn't have gotten it
lool
s3cr3tpassword ha ha good one😆
I'd start a movement... But am not getting up for that.
*writes title page*
"Phew! Well, I guess it's time to _TREAT MYSELF_ "
😄
"Do the most difficult, unpleasant task first."
I do that everyday - I wake up
1.Motivation = (confidence * reward)/(Distraction * delay on reward)
2.Break down tasks
3.Improve experience of study
4.Make reward
5.Have high density fun
6.Remove distraction
7.Set timer for work
Speaking of low-density fun - should I praise or curse RUclips at this point?
welcome to the tyranny of mid density fun
If you want to keep Motivated, check out an app called Confidence Booster.'
SO TRUE. I should be doing a science paper right now, but I needed to watch a video and this was in the up next list so I clicked it. DANG IT!
Well it depends what u looking for
I can stop anytime I want. Just not today, MattPat just released a new video.
who else is procrastinating doing their work by watching this video?
I have a strong suspicion that the community of procrastinators procrastinating with this procrastination video is quite large.
-Nicole
CrashCourse are you procrastinating from writing more videos by answering comments on the procrastination video? :D
This just became meta.
Let me think about that.
Me
Notification came up as I was procrastinating. Stop judging me RUclips!!!!
Aaah, RUclips; one minute it's blissfully aiding your procrastination, the next it is sternly reminding you the truth of what you're up to.
-Nicole
If im going to procrastinate, I might as well procrastinate productively.
Andrew wooow
Lol literally me rn
What about when procrastination is tied to perfectionism or anxiety about the end result of your work? Like instead of writing the next chapter or chunk of a hypothetical book I'm working on, I'll do *everything* else instead of writing: laundry, wash dishes, more research, run errands, etc.
The way I would conquer procrastination is by either doing an assignment as soon as I had an opportunity to, or set apart a specific time to make myself do the work. I always viewed that if I can get stuff done early, I wouldn't have stress when it was time to relax. At the end of the semester, while everyone else was freaking out, I had already finished all my papers and got to spend about a week doing nothing but playing Bloodborne.
Decaying Reverie oh my God Bloodborne is my one true love
Hey, I'm doing this right now how convenient
lmao you and me both brodah
7:14 [starts to open new tab...]
"your attention is more likely to be pulled away by it...."
[...quietly closes the new tab]
I looked at Thomas Frank and then looked back at the channel name to confirm I was watching Crash Course!
Love from India❤
If you want to keep Motivated, check out an app called Confidence Booster.
I think there are many INDIANS who watch CC
Yup me too
Same!
Added to watch later :)
Better Insight U procrastinating on watching this video? 😁
Seems like a cool video. I'll watch it later though
Does watching this when I should be working count as procrastination or studying?
Carl Sagan yes
Carl Sagan if you are working on improving yourself I would say studying
I'd say it's an investment
no its not do you know how many things prove the earth is round the pictures ask any astronaut that has been into space he will tell you the earth is round stop being daft
Is it bad I'm literally using this video to procrastinate right now..
You have a problem
has a serious problem
It's okay, the past doesn't matter, what matters is that you change right now. Because in the future you'll only look back on the time you spent with in about procrastination and go, "man I wasted so much time when I could've been working" So go do it now 👍
How massively lucky - literally just went through a few days of agony due to my procrastination tendencies! Bless you, CC!
Just finished a few hours productive work after watching this video, and using some of the techniques here. I'm going to favorite this, just because I have a feeling that nothing worked better than Thomas Frank *telling* me to work. Maybe the video itself is a bit of a short pep talk? It kept the procrastinator in me at bay. Stranger things have worked!
YES! Thomas Frank and Crash Course got me through AP U.S. History! I'm so happy to see such a great collaboration in my sub feed!
Thanks, you helped me out, I think I can get back up on my own two feet after watching this video. I've been really lazy about school and it's only gotten worse throughout the years. I was doing the bare minimum by this point because I procrastinate so much, and I think this has been the first video to motivate me. I hope this change isn't temporary :)
That high-density vs low-density thing is SO TRUE! Once I realized that, I've been so much happier and still getting my stuff done. Applies to watching things while you work, too.
Procrastination? How did you know my middle name?
I've been studying Psychology for the past two months, and I learned that motivation is the real reason why students are procrastinating. Because if they just finish one task for one certain subject they can just take a break of doing whatever they want.
What about bad days and good days? Why they occur? Some days I'm super productive, but other days I can't concentrate on anything and end up wasting my time on 9gag or watching videos about weird GOT/ASOIF theories.
H Angeli 9gag? Convert to r/dankmemes
Praise_Lord_Chanka so irrelevant
H Angeli my soulmate !!!
I'm guessing it's because of the impulsiveness factor. I'd say that it fluctuates, and therefore on some days you're more impulsive than others. That would lead to an inverse fluctuation in motivation.
[Insert ironic joke of procrastinating while watching a video about procastination]
Hail fellow Habitican! I discovered Habitica shortly after graduating college, and it was life-changing. I dearly wish I had known about it when I was in college.
Habitica is awsome, started because of you and now I met so many friends, it's comunity is amazing
When I study, I have a little reward system set up. I buy a pack or two of gummy bears and for every paragraph I read, I eat one gummy bear. This can also work with other work (Like one question = one bear) or other snacks (other small candies, chips, or anything really). Using this technique actually makes it easier to work because now I have little rewards along the way.
Jacketeer : I will end up become super chubby ....but ready for any quiz :3
Jacketeer : This is a great idea.
I'd probably end up eating the gummies anyway or something...
If you do this, you'll get fat
Jacketeer : do I with veggies instead fatass
watched halfway through then added to 'watch later'. Procrastination level.....INFINITY!!!!
It´s too late to apply this now, I´m going to do it tomorrow.
*cliché joke on "watching it later"*
Eeshan Narula or *procrastinating on my work with a video on overcoming procrastination*
This series is helping me so much. You ARE my coach.
The part about "eating a frog" was really eye opening for me. When I make to-do lists in the morning I put the hardest and longest tasks last (thinking, that I will quickly get a lot of tasks out of the way and feeling good about all the things I already did). But its true that I often use "having done alot" as an excuse to not tackle the hard things. I will definitley try to change that and change the order of my to-do list. Thank you :)
this video is actually the best video i have EVER watched on youtube.
Honestly, I love Crash Course, but this is the best serie ever! Thank you CC team!
MY GOD. I have a pile of books ive wanted to read and games i bought but "have no time to play" because i have so many assignments but im pretty sure ive spent over 8 hours on the internet today. I could never understand why I do this until you explained high-density and low-density fun. Thanks
who else is procrastinating by reading comments?
I used to watch CollegeInfoGeek when it had a few thousand subscribers, and think to myself "This guy deserves so much more." Now he's doing partnerships with freaking Crash Course! I somehow feel like a proud parent. This man made his own success.
Thanks Thomas! I felt very overwhelmed with my long essay but now that I've breaked it down in small tasks, I'm not procrastinating any more :)
This subject the holy grail for all students on Earth.
Thanks bro!
While I do agree that it is better to get the hardest thing out of the way first, there is another concept to be brought up here: futility. Often times I try to do one of the hardest problems first or just go through doing things in order and encounter a really hard problem. If I have no idea how to do the problem, I get a sense of dread and just get stuck stewing on how impossible it is. When any of you are feeling like that, remember this rule: if you've been stuck on a problem or subject for 5 minutes and have not made any sort of progress, move on and try another problem. You can come back to that problem later. Even if you still haven't figured it out, it's better to have eaten some of your frogs than none at all.
Thank you Crash course, this is one of the most helpful videos with practical steps. Keep up the great work of educating public. ^^
I really hate that i've eliminate every distraction from my phone, but now I spend most of my time here on youtube, and i love this platform for so many reasons (bc I need help from educational videos)... but i just can't concentrate and it is so frustrating AHHHH!!
Great video by the way, i will try my best to improve my ability to focus!
Successfully completed my assignment while I had this video play in the background on loop
I like this concept I came up with on my own called Anchoring Points (which might have been coined by others before me, because of course it might have.). Basically you anchor a set of emotions and behavior to a specific spot. You write at, and only at, that coffee shop with the free refills that you like so much. Always do homework at that specific desk at home and always play video games at that big tv. By dividing up your world into different anchor points and anchor regions you help focus yourself on the task at hand, even while in transit to your place of port. Works for me, maybe it does for you. Have a good one!
you just introduced me to the tomato method, i'm in love wth the idea. i hate procrastinating but i can never stop, SO THANK YOU!!
The king of productivity THOMAS FRANK 🔥🔥🔥
Yes sirrr
8:55 I have an impulse to watch this video again for the 5th time so I can procrastinate doing my argument essay
I wish I had such a cute teacher when I was in school. Id never procrastinate. *Sigh*
Mili Dogra
Trust me, it often ends up being a distraction. Your eyes and mind end up focusing more on the teacher than the work.
potts995 Lol. You're probably right.
That can cut either way. If you care about the subject matter, having a crush on the instructor can help motivate you to not screw up. Definitely could be a distraction, too. I've usually found it's the former, for me, though.
What does he do? Is he a teacher?
I have ADHD and self esteem issues, this explains everything.
I'm procrastinating doing my AP world homework by watching this video XD
FurleyFries same I have 3 chapters due and a test ap world history tomorrow but here I am on RUclips
FurleyFries SAME
FurleyFries Same!! I should be completing a study guide on South Asia and Southeast Asia :'v
im a bit late but i also have a bunch of APWH work to do but instead i'm watching this video oops
escDisney Calling I got here again because of a notification and I should be doing more WHAP homework :'v
This crash course series helped me a lot ✨ Thanks a lot!!!
I love habitica!!! I'm so glad that this video is gonna spread it around to more people! Habitica has helped me create and stick to a morning and night routine. I also use it for school things that have a very strict due date because losing HP over procrastination would be too upsetting 😂😂
Am I the only one who specifically watch this vid and this series to prepare to school? It's on my today's task list! (I just have the impression everybody here and on youtube are procrastinator)
Yo! Tom and CrashCourse collaborating!? Nice
The thing is whenever i say i'm going to take a break for two hours to try a new game or play my favourite game, those two hours turn into 10 hours or even more.
I've been putting off watching this video for months, no joke.
Please do a crash course on music theory because I learn so much from your videos and they will be so useful for me when I start college next year😭😭
Grace Karoline PLEASE!!!
I'll definitely use the Pomodoro for my homework tomorrow! Thanks for the idea :)
This is the best video in whole of the Internet!
This video is revelatory. This is brilliant. Preach!
That part about low and high density fun helped
Cowbell! Got to love "Don't fear the Reaper"...
Just finished watching one of this videos only to get a notification for this channel...not complaining😂
I'm watching this as I'm procrastinating writing my physics paper. Thank you brain and thank you crash course. I need help
He explains this better than I do.
I want to go back in time and force myself to watch this when I was still in high school.
Thomas Frank in Crash Course?!?! Whoah way to go! Thanks for the tips!
This is extactly how im teaching myself to manage my adhd. It's kinda crazy how comon these experiences are even if u don't have adhd
Wait... Frank in Crash course?? Am i in heaven???!
I'm gonna add crash course to the list of "thank you's" in my graduation speech
i think this may be the first time i've not procrastinated watching a video that was posted an hour before i found it
Right now I am procrastinating on rewriting my article by watching this nice video.
This video includes so many great ideas, but it is also succinct. Great job!
I'm smiling because I'm downloading a Pomodoro timer app whole watching this even before the Pomodoro method was mentioned.
Now off to study ;)
Skl.
I used to worry about procrastination until I just permanently put off worrying about it.
*I shall continue procrastinating tomorrow*
I watched the whole thing but I think I will never change
I'm gonna put this in my watch later playlist. I really want to stop procrastinating one day.
Sometimes, all you need is go to the beach and have fun.
It takes your focus off the negative (which in this case is procrastination), and you just let go.
After a while, you'll feel inspired to take the action. You just needed to let go of the struggle in your mind and emotion.
How happy am I that two of my favorite channels have come together to make an episode! 😁
I now realize I could've really benefited from this last week if I hadn't procrastinated watching the video
Thank you so much for this video. I'm going to try Habitica.
Nice to bring up the pomodoro technique, it is a great tool if well used indeed.
"You’re on RUclips right now, but you should probably be studying or writing that research paper." So true!
Such a mood
Protip: value can be increased by ways similar to gamification as well. Personally I use food as a prime motivator for completing tasks, not only does it help to refuel you but it also acts as a reward system to push you further.
Amazing video, I always procrastinate on my duties, but this video helped me a lot.
I literally watched a minute of this and clicked away after adding this to watch later while I was procrastinating on doing my homework
them: *makes an equation for why we procrastinate*
the real reason: *I'm laaaazzzzyyyyy*
Boy isn't it ironic I'm using this video to procrastinate
Heym "Habitica" and "Cold Turkey" are very promising tools!!! Thank you so much!!!
I've really been meaning to watch this.
I'm procrastinating by watching this video which makes me wanna procrastinate even more
Fun fact: I am procrastinating by watching this.
Personator you're so special
Oh the irony, my procrastinating involves a video about procrastination
One other factor that I think plays into procrastination has to do with estimating how long a project will take. If someone thinks a project will only take 1 hour, they put it off until later than if they think it will take 2 hours.