3 Effective Ways to Getting Things Done
Without relying on motivation, willpower nor self-discipline
Recently, I had trouble keeping up with my goal of writing one article a week. As soon as I face my laptop and start hitting the keys, nothing comes up. I have my outline in place but I don’t have the willpower to finish what I started.
Thoughts like, “Is there something wrong with me? I didn’t know I was this lazy. I don’t know what to do with myself.” run on my mind.
I tried creating a schedule but it didn't happen.I’ve listened to motivation music but didn't work. A friend suggested having an accountability partner but it is at the bottom of my list.
Instead of accomplishing my article, I browsed on the internet,"How to motivate yourself even if you are f*ck up?" Amongst the billion of blogposts that appeared, one caught my attention. What I found is surprising.
I thought it was just me being lazy or having no self-discipline or willpower. It is NOT. What I'm experiencing is called Akrasia.
You know the excitement and adrenaline rush that you feel when laid out in your future plans. You write down all the things that you need and how to achieve those. You have also figured out what to do when obstacles come. And yes, you are ready to go!
On Day 1, the excitement is still kicking in. Everything runs smoothly as planned and as scheduled.
Same on Day 2, Day 3, Day 4.
But on Day 5, the excitement starts to cease. The energy you have in the first four days is depleting. Soon, you will get tired without knowing why. Just by looking at your task saps any drip of hope left. The future plans that are then within reach are now impossible to reach. That’s Akrasia.
Akrasia is the experience of knowing an action would be in your best interest… but you don’t do it.
It is the heavy feeling I have to finish the article writing but I didn’t. The research says that we experience akrasia because of the tendency of the human brain to value immediate rewards more highly than future rewards
You may ask, "Yes, I've been there, so how can I overcome akrasia?" Well, there’s away. I like to call it Anti-Akrasia Strategies.
First, design your future actions.
This can be done using commitment devices. A commitment device is a choice you make in the present that controls your actions in the future.
Example: To avoid overspending, you can leave your credit card or control the amount of money you have in your wallet.
Second, reduce the friction of starting.
The bigger the task is, the more overwhelming is it to accomplish. The way to counter this is to break the task into subtasks.
Example: Instead of cleaning the house in one day, you can clean one area at a time a day.
Third, use implementation intention.
It is stating your intention to implement a behavior at a specific time and place in the future. This is preloading your actions and tied them in a particular behavior. A good way to do this is by, completing this sentence: After I [existing behavior]. I will [your desired action].
Example: After I sit down on my office chair, I will meditate for two minutes. With this, you are more likely to perform tasks than just saying “I will meditate for two minutes.”
Now this time, let me show you how I apply Anti-Akrasia in my unfinished writing problem
To design my future actions, I decided to set a schedule without distraction
Waking up early is not so big of an issue for me since 5 AM is my usual wake up time.
To back it up, I give myself a deadline to publish the article in three days. First Day is the writing draft. Second Day is the revising day. The Third day is finishing and publishing.
The next question is what is my commitment device?
I put the book Atomic Habits on the table near my bed. The moment I wake up, it will trigger my mind to remember that I have a task to do.
The next step is the hardest. How will I create implementation intention?
There are many activities I can link to writing. I came up with a good-better-best strategy.
Good: After I sit down, I will start writing.
Better: After I open my laptop, I will start writing.
Best: After I sip coffee, I will start writing.
I choose to start writing after the first sip of coffee. I thought it will be more effective If I choose a behavior that is nearest to my writing task.
Lastly, how can I reduce the friction of starting? How can I break the task so that I will not be overwhelmed?
Breaking a task involves two areas:
a. The Task itself
b. The time allotted
But since prior to this experiment I have already an outline, I followed what I’ve created.
This is when I decided that I will opt for breaking my time allotted. My goal is to set a specific time frame wherein I can write and stop writing as soon the time is up. Since I have other tasks waiting for me, I think this is the logical decision. I set a timer for 25 minutes Work and 5 Minute Rest Interval. I do this twice in a row.
(For those who are not familiar with this time management tool, it’s called the Pomodoro Technique. You can learn more about this here.)
My Takeaways On This Experiment
It works! I’m proud to say I accomplished my task and beat Akrasia. I’ve published on my desired schedule without relying too much on willpower or motivation.
Not only it can be used in writing, but the Anti-Akrasia Strategy can also be used in any task and project. It doesn’t matter how big or small it is. This system works and I recommend it.
Excited to apply this on your own? Yes? That's great. Here are the questions you have to ask yourself.
1. What commitment device can I use to design my future actions?
2. What action/behavior/habit can I tie with this new task? Do this by completing the sentence; After I [existing behavior]. I will [your desired action].
3. How can I break the task small enough so I will not be overwhelmed? (It can be in quantity, time or both]
