If at every turn we\u2019re told we \u2018just\u2019 need more discipline to learn better, why is it so hard to \u2018just\u2019 have more discipline? Perhaps a lack of discipline is more symptom than cause.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Laziness doesn\u2019t exist<\/h2>\n
Do we avoid learning because we\u2019re lazy? Probably not. Assistant Professor in Applied Social Psychology at Loyola Chicago University School of Continuing and Professional Development, Devon Price, says over six years of teaching they\u2019ve never once had a student whose learning failures related to laziness<\/a><\/u>.<\/p>\n Price believes research in social psychology casts doubt on the existence of laziness, because in any situation, our circumstances better predict how we\u2019ll act than individual traits.<\/p>\n Price says, \u201cThere are always barriers. Recognizing those barriers \u2013 and viewing them as legitimate \u2013 is often the first step to breaking \u201clazy\u201d behavior patterns. It\u2019s helpful to respond to ineffective behavior with curiosity rather than judgment.\u201d<\/p>\n If you\u2019ve failed to motivate yourself to learn, what can seem encouraging self-talk: \u201cI can do it\u2026 I\u2019ve just been lazy so far, that\u2019s all,\u201d might, in fact, be discouraging.<\/p>\n The take-away:<\/strong> There\u2019s no sweet spot for everyone. Some learn better with music playing, some need silence. Approach barriers with curiosity, exploring what works for you, rather than expecting an instant fix.<\/p>\n Blogger Tim Urban\u2019s TED talk on procrastination<\/a> will have you rolling on the floor, but his central point is serious and poignant. Everyone procrastinates, and the types of procrastination that limit our potential most are the least visible. We come away understanding the scale of the difference we can make if we put the procrastination \u2018monkey\u2019 in its place. But how?<\/p>\n Charlotte Lieberman\u2019s 2019 article in the New York Times takes a suspicious look at how we usually understand procrastination<\/a><\/u>.<\/p>\n Lieberman argues, procrastination isn\u2019t a problem of character or poor time management. Instead, we use it to cope with \u201cchallenging emotions and negative moods induced by certain tasks \u2013 boredom, anxiety, insecurity, frustration, resentment, self-doubt and beyond.\u201d By procrastinating, we then create more negative emotions, and so, a downward spiral of negative thoughts and avoiding tasks.<\/p>\n Instead of using productivity hacks that don\u2019t deal with the root cause of procrastination, Lieberman suggests the downward spiral can be interrupted with self-compassion and self-forgiveness. A 2010 study found students assigned a task of forgiving themselves for procrastinating went on to procrastinate less in the future<\/a><\/u>, and a 2012 study of over 700 students found those who procrastinated most had the lowest levels of self-compassion and the highest levels of stress<\/a><\/u>.<\/p>\n Sarah Rose Cavanagh<\/a><\/u> is a psychologist and professor who researches the role of emotions in learning. She offers practical advice: \u201cProcrastination is worse when we\u2019re overwhelmed with stress and anxiety, in part because our to-do list gets longer.<\/p>\n As we contemplate all the things that need to be done, negative emotions like anxiety rise and the appeal of soothing activities like Netflix and web browsing increase.<\/p>\n Sarah Rose Cavanagh<\/strong><\/p> Associate Professor of Psychology, Centre of Teaching Excellence, Assumption College<\/p><\/cite><\/blockquote>\n \u201cResearch shows a lot of procrastination is about inability to prioritize. Techniques that level the playing field help by making it clear what comes first and second. Write all the things you need to do on slips of paper, crumble them and toss them in a hat. Choose, and do them, one by one. By taking prioritization out of your hands, you remove a means of procrastination. At the same time, reduce the lure of emotionally gratifying temptations by using the Pomodoro Technique<\/a>, where you work with no recourse to distraction, then reward yourself with a break.\u201d<\/p>\n The take-away:<\/strong>
\nInstead of minimizing and ignoring what makes learning harder, look for physical or mental discomforts you can reduce. Whether it\u2019s a stiff neck, a stuffy room or glasses that need cleaning, in doing what you can to reduce these, you\u2019re placing greater value on yourself and your learning.<\/p>\nKilling procrastination with kindness<\/h2>\n
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\nThink kind thoughts toward your procrastination. Forgive yourself. Use your short-term desire for good feelings to your advantage by rewarding yourself when complete short, focused blocks of work.<\/p>\nTell your negative thoughts a better story<\/h2>\n