Procrastination And Memory

Question 0

What’s is the cycle of procrastination?

Answer 0

Thinking about the hard work makes us feel bad, so we seek something pleasant to do. This makes us feel better (temporarily). The cycle can be broken by easing into the activity and using that to feel better instead (similar to from the power of habit). Beating procrastination is a keystone habit. Procrastination is addictive.

Question 1

Whys is procrastination so toxic?

Answer 1

Procrastination leads to cramming. Cramming takes as much time as spaced repetition and leads to worse results.

Question 2

Habit

Answer 2

A neurological energy saver. The brain synthesizes all of the information in a frequently performed task, chunking it so someone only pays attention to what matters. (The first time someone does something they are hyper-aware of all information, even irrelevant information)

Question 3

Components of a habit

Answer 3

1. The cue (feel hungry, get a text from someone, get to work, etc)
2. The routine (brain engages “zombie mode”, engaging the routine of the habit
3. The reward (the feeling of success or pleasure eg. Procrastination rewards someone with immediate pleasure)
4. Belief - someone has to belief in the habit they are following, or believe that no other alternative is possible

Question 4

Process vs product

Answer 4

To avoid procrastination, don’t focus on what the outcome (product) needs to be, but on the act of actually sitting down to work. This is the process (pomodoro helps here). The automated part of the brain likes processes, and using them avoids judging oneself for not creating the product in a limited amount of time.

Question 5

How to change a habit, eg procrastination.

Answer 5

The cue- location, time, how you feel, reactions (prevent from being able to access internet, etc)

2. The routine - actively develop a new ritual the engages what you need to do)
3. The reward - what reward do you get from the negative behaviour? How can you replicate this for a positive behaviour?
4. The belief - you must believe you can change, find the motivation for the belief- develop a new community of peers who share your desired values.

Question 6

Writing a weekly task list and a nightly list for the next day

Answer 6

A keystone habit that allows higher productivity by creating firm goals for each week and day- fosters efficacy. Creates tasks before they can be justified in the moment. When making the list, ask yourself if the task on the list is realistically doable

Question 7

Eat your frogs first

Answer 7

Starting with challenging tasks early makes the rest of the day easier and kickstarts productivity.

Question 8

Rconsolidation

Answer 8

The process of a memory being re-encoded when it is accessed and then transferred back from this active state to an inactive state. False memories may be planted during this process if suggestions are given that re-imagine the memory when it is reconsolidated

Question 9

Glial cells

Answer 9

Support cells in the brain. Including astrocytes

Question 10

Astrocytes

Answer 10

Glial (support) cells in the brain that provide nutrients to neutrons, maintain extra cellular ion balance, and are involved with repair. May be critical to learning.

Question 11

Memory groups

Answer 11

Grouping facts in a way that compresses them and engages more senses, eg. Four plants that harm vampires = garlic, roses, hawthorn, and mustard; take first letter = grhm, remind yourself with graham crackers) or pair a date with an event, , or create a silly sentence, etc

Question 12

Memory palace

Answer 12

Technique useful for remembering unrelated items like on a grocery list. Choose a well-known place, and put the items you need to remember throughout the place in your mind (eg. Eggs on the sofa), this may take time, but can make the items indelible.