The procrastination cure you don't want to hear

Summary

The video discusses the common issue of resistance to doing what's beneficial, suggesting that the solution lies in embracing boredom. By eliminating distractions and focusing on the task at hand, individuals can find motivation and productivity. The speaker shares personal experiences and a study on the effects of boredom, emphasizing the need to restructure life to prioritize important tasks.

Takeaways

• 😌 The common problem people face is not a lack of knowledge about what to do, but an inability to bring themselves to do it due to resistance.
• 🤔 The feeling of resistance is often associated with tasks that are genuinely good for us, which can seem unfair.
• 🧐 The speaker suggests that life could be better if we naturally enjoyed doing difficult things, such as being creative or completing chores.
• 🔑 The solution to overcoming resistance is boredom, which is ironically also the problem. By eliminating distractions, the task at hand becomes more appealing.
• 🌑 The brain perceives entertainment relatively, not objectively, which means that the lack of other options can make a task seem more interesting.
• 🏠 The key strategy is to remove all distractions and create an environment where the only option is to do the task that needs to be done.
• 🧠 A study mentioned shows that people dislike boredom so much that they prefer self-electrocution over sitting idle, indicating the power of eliminating distractions.
• 📚 The speaker's personal experience in a limited environment without distractions led to increased productivity and creativity.
• 🛑 Eliminating distractions is an immediate solution that works because the brain seeks to avoid boredom and will find entertainment in the only available option.
• 🌱 The disparity between the entertainment value of tasks and distractions affects how agonizing the task will feel, and reducing distractions can make tasks more appealing.
• 💪 Living with fewer distractions can lead to a more fulfilling and empowering life, contrary to the belief that it would make life less entertaining.

Q & A

What is the most common problem the speaker identifies that people face in moving their life forward?

The most common problem is not knowing what to do, but rather knowing what needs to be done and being unable to bring oneself to do it due to resistance and avoidance.

What does the speaker suggest is the root of the feeling of resistance when people think about doing things that are good for them?

The feeling of resistance is rooted in the avoidance of tasks that are genuinely beneficial, which often feel boring or daunting to the individual.

Why does the speaker believe that people might not enjoy doing difficult things naturally?

The speaker suggests that the natural inclination is to avoid difficult tasks because they are perceived as boring or less entertaining compared to distractions.

What is the 'nuclear' strategy the speaker refers to for overcoming procrastination and getting things done?

The 'nuclear' strategy is using boredom as a tool by eliminating all distractions and leaving oneself with no option but to do the task at hand.

How does the speaker describe the human brain's perception of entertainment in relation to the strategy of using boredom?

The speaker describes the brain's perception of entertainment as relative, comparing it to the way our eyes adjust to light in different environments, suggesting that the brain will find the only available option entertaining when all distractions are removed.

What study does the speaker reference to illustrate the aversion to boredom and its effects on human behavior?

The speaker references a study published in Science in 2014, where participants chose to electrocute themselves rather than endure boredom, highlighting the extreme dislike for being bored.

What percentage of men and women in the study mentioned chose electrocution over boredom?

67% of the men and 25% of the women chose electrocution over boredom.

How does the speaker use personal experience to support the idea that eliminating distractions can lead to productivity?

The speaker shares a personal story of living in a small basement suite with few distractions, which led to increased productivity and creativity in editing videos.

What is the role of the sponsor Athletic Greens in the video, and how does it relate to the main topic?

Athletic Greens is the sponsor of the video, and it is mentioned as a supplement that helps with energy, focus, and overall well-being, which indirectly supports the main topic by suggesting that feeling good physically can enhance one's ability to tackle tasks and overcome boredom.

What advice does the speaker give for structuring one's life to make necessary tasks more appealing compared to distractions?

The speaker advises eliminating distractions by removing back doors, such as turning off the phone, removing gaming devices, and hiding toolbars, to make the necessary tasks more appealing and easier to focus on.

Outlines

00:00

🤔 Overcoming Procrastination Through Boredom

The speaker discusses the common issue of procrastination and the avoidance of tasks that are beneficial but perceived as boring. They argue that the problem is not a lack of knowledge about what needs to be done, but rather the resistance to take action. The speaker introduces the concept of using boredom as a tool to force oneself to do the necessary tasks. They explain that the brain perceives entertainment relative to the available options and suggests eliminating distractions to make the task at hand more appealing by comparison. A study from 2014 is referenced, where participants chose electrocution over boredom, highlighting the human aversion to inactivity. The speaker concludes that by removing all other options, one will naturally turn to the task that needs to be done.

05:01

🛠️ Embracing Boredom to Boost Productivity

The speaker continues the discussion on the power of boredom as a productivity tool. They emphasize that by structuring one's environment to minimize distractions, the tasks that need to be done become more appealing in comparison. The speaker shares personal experiences of living in a limited environment that forced them to focus on video editing, leading to a highly productive period. They suggest that by removing distractions such as phones, gaming PCs, and other entertainment sources, one can create an environment where the only option is to engage in the task at hand. The speaker also mentions a product, Athletic Greens, as a way to maintain energy and focus throughout the day, promoting overall well-being and productivity.

10:02

👋 Wrapping Up With a Call to Action

In the final paragraph, the speaker thanks the audience for watching and invites them to engage with the content by liking the video and subscribing to the channel. They also mention their presence on Instagram, where they share light-hearted and humorous content. The speaker ends on a positive note, encouraging viewers to look forward to the next video, and the paragraph concludes with a gentle music outro.

Keywords

💡Resistance

Resistance in the video refers to the emotional or psychological barrier that prevents individuals from taking action on tasks they know are beneficial for them. It is a central theme as the speaker discusses how this feeling often arises when faced with activities that could substantially improve one's life, yet it feels almost 'unfair' in its intensity. The script illustrates this with the metaphor of avoiding tasks 'like the plague'.

💡Self-improvement

Self-improvement is a key concept in the video, encompassing the various strategies and tactics people employ to enhance their personal and professional lives. The script critiques common self-improvement advice, suggesting that it often overlooks a fundamental aspect of human behavior—the aversion to boredom—which the speaker argues is a more reliable motivator for action than temporary 'tips and tricks'.

💡Boredom

Boredom is presented as both the problem and the solution in the video. The speaker argues that the avoidance of boredom leads to procrastination and distraction, but it can also be harnessed as a powerful motivator to complete necessary tasks. The script uses the example of an experiment where participants chose electrocution over sitting in a room with nothing to do, highlighting the extreme measures people will take to avoid boredom.

💡Distraction

Distraction is portrayed as a common enemy of productivity in the video. The speaker suggests that the allure of distractions, such as social media and entertainment, makes the tasks we need to do seem boring in comparison. The script emphasizes the need to eliminate these distractions to force oneself to engage with the important tasks at hand.

💡Motivation

Motivation is a central topic in the video, with the speaker exploring why people lack the drive to do things that are good for them. The script discusses the paradox of motivation, where the desire to be creative or productive is often undermined by the powerful feeling of resistance and the allure of distractions.

💡Productivity

Productivity is the ultimate goal the video aims to achieve through its discussion of overcoming resistance and boredom. The speaker shares a personal anecdote of living in a sparse environment with limited distractions, which forced a focus on productivity. The script uses this example to illustrate how eliminating distractions can lead to a more productive state of mind.

💡Environmental Conditioning

Environmental conditioning is the concept of using one's surroundings to influence behavior, as discussed in the video. The speaker describes how living in a minimalist environment with few distractions led to increased productivity and creativity. The script uses this concept to argue that the structure of one's environment can significantly impact one's ability to focus and accomplish tasks.

💡Nuclear Strategy

The 'nuclear strategy' mentioned in the video refers to a powerful and effective method to combat resistance and boredom. The speaker claims that by eliminating all options except the task at hand, one will inevitably engage with it. The script uses the term to emphasize the potency of this approach in overcoming procrastination.

💡Contrast

Contrast is used in the video to explain how the brain perceives entertainment value relative to other available options. The speaker uses the analogy of adjusting to different lighting conditions to illustrate how the brain assesses the relative appeal of tasks. The script suggests that by reducing the contrast between the task and distractions, the task becomes more appealing.

💡Stamina

Stamina, in the context of the video, refers to the ability to sustain effort and focus over time. The speaker mentions it in relation to the product Athletic Greens, which is said to support energy and focus throughout the day. The script implies that having good stamina can enhance one's ability to be productive and accomplish necessary tasks.

💡Supplement

Supplement in the video refers to the product Athletic Greens, which is positioned as a health optimization tool that can enhance energy, focus, and overall well-being. The script discusses the supplement as part of the speaker's morning routine and suggests that it contributes to a more productive and energetic day.

Highlights

The common problem is not a lack of knowledge about what to do but the inability to do what is known to be beneficial.

People often feel a strong resistance to doing what is good for them, which is paradoxically absent when considering less beneficial activities.

The author suggests that self-improvement advice often overlooks the fundamental fact of life that people tend to avoid doing what is good for them.

A 'nuclear' strategy is introduced that involves embracing boredom to force oneself to do necessary tasks.

The brain perceives entertainment relatively, not objectively, which is key to understanding the power of boredom as a motivator.

Eliminating distractions and creating an environment with no alternatives can compel one to do the task at hand.

A study from 2014 showed that many people prefer self-electrocution to being bored, highlighting the aversion to inactivity.

Solitary confinement is considered inhumane due to the extreme boredom it induces, which is a form of mental torture.

When given only one option, the brain will make that option seem entertaining to avoid the pain of boredom.

The author shares personal evidence of how a lack of distractions led to increased productivity and creativity.

The author suggests removing all distractions from one's environment to force productivity.

By eliminating distractions, one can find fulfillment and empowerment in doing what is necessary.

The author promotes the use of Athletic Greens as a supplement to support energy, focus, and overall health.

Athletic Greens contains a high concentration of vitamins and nutrients sourced from real food, making it bioavailable for the body.

The author offers a link for viewers to try Athletic Greens and receive additional benefits with their first purchase.

The author encourages viewers to like, subscribe, and follow on Instagram for more content.

Transcripts

- I think one of the most common problems that people have

is not that they don't know what to do to dramatically

move their life forward in a substantial way.

You know exactly what you need to do right now.

There's probably something that you've been avoiding

like the plague,

but the problem is not that you don't know what that is.

The problem is that you just can't bring yourself to do it.

And that's the common theme every single day is

that when you sit down to do this thing,

you feel a feeling and it almost seems unfair

how potent this feeling of resistance is

because it's usually only present when you think

about doing things that are genuinely good for you.

So it's like, what's the deal with that?

Why does it seem like life is set up that way?

Wouldn't it be better

if you just actually enjoyed doing difficult things?

Wouldn't it be better

if you actually had the motivation to be creative

or to write a paper or to do your taxes?

You probably want nothing more

than to be someone who genuinely enjoys

and looks forward to doing the things that are good for you,

doing the things that empower you.

Recently I've been thinking.

There is one strategy that I have

that works every single time.

It always makes me do the thing that I need to do.

It's not very flattering. It's not very sexy.

We don't want to believe that this is the answer.

And I feel like there's so much

self-improvement advice out there that

kind of ignores this fundamental, not even tactic,

it's almost a fact of life.

And when we ignore this fact,

we'll try to do little tips and tricks like, oh,

set a timer for five minutes

and just really try, try really hard to do the work,

or try to think more positive thoughts about your work.

But all those strategies,

they're kind of throw away strategies.

Yeah, they might work here or there,

but they get old really quick.

This strategy is nuclear.

So if you need to do one particular thing,

then if you do this, you will do it.

You will have no choice.

The solution is boredom.

Ironically that's also the problem.

The solution and the problem are the same thing.

You don't wanna do that work

because it's so boring to your brain,

you want to gouge your eyes out.

All of these distractions that you have around

sound so much more entertaining than doing that thing.

So you always have a backdoor.

Why in hell would you write an essay

when you could be checking Instagram?

When you could be watching YouTube videos like this one?

But the key realization is

that your brain doesn't see objective entertainment values.

It's always relative.

A good analogy for this is when you're spending all day

outside in the sun, it's a super bright day,

and then you walk into a dim room or a store,

that indoor space feels super dark.

You're like, I can't see anything. What is this?

And then you see that weird

fake sun in your periphery that starts to fade.

Everything looks weird and purplely.

And in a very similar way,

if you've been asleep for a couple hours

and you have to get up and go to the bathroom,

you turn the lights on and it's just blinding.

It's not that that bathroom is any more bright

than it was before you went to bed

when you were brushing your teeth,

it's just that your brain interprets things using contrasts.

It uses comparison.

So the key is to utterly delete the back doors.

The key is to strip away every single option,

to sit in a blank room with nothing in it,

no phone, nothing.

Eliminate your ability to do anything other

than the thing that you need to do and you will do it.

And now you might be thinking, oh, it's not that simple.

I can just do nothing.

Well, you actually won't do nothing.

And there's studies to prove it.

There is a really weird study published in Science in 2014.

That was a mouthful, it's not.

What am I, a freaking Neanderthal?

That's not a mouthful.

That was really hard to say.

So in this study,

they got a bunch of undergraduate students

to sit in a empty room by themselves

with absolutely nothing to do

and be alone with their own thoughts.

But they had one other option.

And that was to electrocute themselves with a shocky button.

And it turns out 67% of the men and 25% of the women

decided that electrocution was better than boredom.

And some of the students

electrocuted themselves multiple times.

Even the ones that didn't electrocute themselves

either strongly considered it or at least lamented as

to how miserable the quiet time was and how boring it was.

You might have heard about this study before,

but I think it's a great example

as to how much human beings dislike being bored.

And so the reason why solitary confinement is considered one

of the least humane forms of torture imaginable.

There's this ancient torture method where they

basically just throw somebody down a hole under the castle

and forget about them for their entire lives.

Number 15, the oubliette.

The last thing you'd want after stealing a cup

of buckwheat is to end up in one of these mother (bleep).

That sounds terrible because it's so boring.

If you were put in an empty room with nothing to do

except one thing,

unless that thing is like chop off your hand,

you're probably gonna do that thing.

And while you're doing that thing,

that thing will feel so much more entertaining

than doing nothing.

So you have to ask yourself,

what are you constructing your life around?

How are you structuring things?

Are the things that you're supposed to do entertaining

in comparison to the things that you use as distractions?

Because the larger the disparity,

the more agonizing that thing will be.

And you'll find very quickly that if you delete distractions

as an option, it works right away.

It's insane.

This isn't like some dopamine detox

that you gotta do over weeks and months and years,

although that will help you get used to finding

the entertainment value in difficult things.

This is something that works right away

because your brain needs to to survive.

It hates feeling bored.

So it will make whatever your only option is

as entertaining as it needs to.

I even have personal evidence for this.

One of the most productive, social,

and energetic times in my entire life

is when I was living in a little 900 square foot

basement suite in the middle of suburbia

with absolutely nothing to do except edit videos.

So here's Alex looking in the pantry for stuff to eat.

These guys cooked us

our only good meal that we've had in several days.

And basically this whole video is basically just

to show off what we have going on in our fridge right now.

(roommates laughing)

Ketchup, a little bit of milk, some Korean honey.

Three pickles, salsa, and water.

I was absolutely broke.

And to edit these videos that I had to do

for my very few corporate freelance videography clients.

I was sitting on an upside down laundry hamper

because I couldn't afford an office chair,

but this was deeply motivating to me.

Although I did live with my friend, Alex,

he was hardly ever around so I had these long periods

of loneliness,

but that sting of loneliness made me social.

It made me make plans.

It made me seek opportunities.

My lack of money made me seek money.

And most importantly,

the lack of things to do in there,

the lack of distractions that I surrounded myself with,

made me extremely bored,

bored enough that editing videos and being highly creative

and doing what I love actually felt entertaining as well.

So there's a perfect example

of my environmental conditioning

helping facilitate a mindset

of creativity and attitude of productivity.

It's because I had very few other options.

So in summary,

if you have something you need to do right now,

then eliminate all your back doors, turn off your phone,

remove your gaming PC from your room,

remove your Xbox.

Auto hide the toolbar

so when you're thinking of the next word to write,

you don't look at Safari and automatically click on it.

And in living life this way

and treating productivity this way,

it's not that you're going to live a less entertaining life.

In fact, you might find it far more entertaining

and fulfilling and empowering than you ever knew possible.

And if you're looking for an excellent way

to have more stamina throughout the day

so that when you are actually doing the things

that you need to do, you can do it for longer,

then it will probably help to feel good,

mentally and physically,

using today's video sponsor, Athletic Greens.

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Optimize your health, feel fantastic.

And as usual, have a great time.

If you liked this video,

then if you actually hit the like button,

that's a huge help

because the video will rank better,

shoving my bald head into other people's homepages,

helping them out, which also helps me out.

So it is a win-win for everybody involved.

If you've seen my face a couple of times

and you like my videos,

consider subscribing and hitting up the Instagram.

Sometimes I post some memey silly shit on there.

And it's just fun.

Other than that, though,

thank you so much for watching

and we'll catch you in the next video.

(gentle music)