If you want to stop procrastinating, keep this area of your brain functioning at its best.
For many of us, procrastination is a major problem.
When we declare we’ll work on our objectives, go to the gym, or pick up some new abilities, we usually end up watching Netflix. I have a history of procrastination as well.
Even though I had large plans and ambitions, not much was getting accomplished on a daily basis.
Most individuals believe that procrastination results from indulging in bad habits, being lazy, or lacking motivation. However, it turns out that procrastination has neurological underpinnings. It is the end result of an ongoing conflict between the prefrontal cortex and limbic system in our brains.
The frontal lobe.
The prefrontal cortex is the rational and analytical region of the brain in charge of decision-making, self-control, and planning for the future.
As noted by Dr. Joseph Ferrari, a renowned procrastination research specialist, in Still Procrastinating:
The prefrontal cortex, a region of the brain, controls our capacity to control behavior, including our ability to withstand the lure of instant gratification in favor of long-term advantages.
In summary, the prefrontal cortex recognizes the value of postponing gratification in order to build a better future and assists in controlling our desires.
Maintaining this area of your brain in good shape is crucial if you want to avoid procrastinating (more on that later).
The Limbic Method
Our brain’s limbic system controls our emotions and impulsivity.
As it is a much older portion of the brain (from an evolutionary standpoint), this region is frequently referred to as our “reptile” brain.
In Solving The Procrastination Puzzle, Dr. Timothy Pychyl, an associate professor of psychology at Carleton University, stated the following:
“Without considering potential consequences, the limbic system responds to immediate sensory information, such as pleasure and pain.”
In other words, even when it conflicts with our long-term goals, the limbic brain is more impulsive and likely to choose rapid gratification.
For instance, your limbic system takes precedence over your prefrontal cortex when your long-term objective is to lose weight but you wind up binge-watching Netflix for hours.
Why the limbic system outperforms the frontal cortex frequently
In comparison to the limbic system, the prefrontal cortex is a more recent and less developed portion of the brain.
The prefrontal cortex is hence “weaker” than the limbic system.
Because of this, the limbic system frequently takes precedence over the prefrontal brain when we are faced with a task that involves some level of boredom, complexity, or terror.
Despite our best efforts and long-term objectives, we frequently succumb to impatience and the desire for instant gratification.
In Solving the Procrastination Puzzle, Dr. Timothy Pychyl stated the following:
Because it is older in evolutionary terms and has a stronger hold on our behavior, the limbic system frequently prevails when there is a conflict between an immediate reward and a long-term objective.
How to Support the Succes of Our Prefrontal Cortex
It’s more useful to cultivate particular behaviors that support the prefrontal cortex’s victory over our slothful, impulsive limbic system rather than trying to motivate yourself or criticize yourself for a lack of discipline.
Five of these habits will be discussed right now.
- Work on task-chunking: The limbic system will fight against a task or project less if it is easy. Task-chunking is therefore quite successful.
A large, daunting work or endeavor can be broken down into smaller, more manageable pieces.
For instance, anytime I start a new piece, I break it down into several smaller tasks:
making a blog outline
Write the first draft of part 1.
Write the first draft of part 2.
Include academic research
Make a headline
style article
rewrite and modify the article.
Instead of having one intimidatingly large activity in front of you—which the limbic system dislikes—break it up into smaller, more manageable chores that can be finished one at a time.
- Complete difficult activities first thing in the morning: One of my core productivity principles is to finish the day’s most crucial and difficult duty before beginning any other work.
According to research, humans get progressively worse at self-control, concentrating, and information processing as the day wears on.
As the night wears on, our energy levels drop, decision-making weariness sets in, and our limbic system takes over.
In other words, start working on your toughest activities first thing in the morning to avoid putting them off.
