The Brain on Procrastination (and what you can do about it)
Learner Procrastination: Why They Do It
(and How to Respond)
DQ: What the F*** can I do about Student Procrastination?
Dion Lim, CEO, PacerRabbit [email protected]
(but the habit starts in elementary)
of college students engage in frequent academic procrastination 95%
(but the habit starts young)
6 weeks
REASON #1
Because time is too abstract to their brains, they feel no urgency.
REASON #2
Because the project’s limited unpredictability, novelty, value and/or pleasure results in low dopamine levels and therefore, low interest.
REASON #3
Because it’s got a small neural footprint (it’s harder for the hippocampus to access it)
Your Project
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Brains are wired for present
bias result of
Hyberbolic discounting by fronto-parietal network
REASON #4
Because hyperbolic discounting by the fronto-parietal network values present certainty over delayed gratification.
REASON #5
Because the amygdala goes into fight mode due to overloading and just reacts to the most imminent item.
Reason #6
Because the amygdala goes into flight mode when it feels overwhelmed and doesn’t know where to start.
Reason #7
Because fear and anxiety overarouse the brain with norepinephrine and lock out frontal lobe.
There is hope!
Intervention #1
Make time concrete and visual to enable the brain to place tasks and urgency into context.
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Intervention #2
Set deadlines to raise urgency, dopamine and
norepinephrine.
Intervention #3
Keep the project top of mind in multiple, original ways to
make it easier for the hippocampus to access it
Intervention #4
Build a big neural footprint by connecting the project with existing concepts & interest areas
Intervention #5
Use humor and surprise Catch the attention of the
anterior cingulate cortex by triggering a prediction error and dopamine
Intervention # 6
Raise dopamine through novelty
iPhone 10
Intervention #7
Use rewards. Expecting a positive event generates dopamine (food, positive social interactions, money)
Intervention #8
Remove fear and anxiety through a culture of effort, revision and redemption.
Intervention #9
Teach them how to break any task into
small enough steps to create ownership and
sidestep the amygdala.
Intervention #10 Baby Bear balance their arousal
