A Stoic Solution for Procrastination

 

Procrastination can be a tough problem to overcome. Stoicism offers a radical solution. Renounce pleasure. Stoic renunciation consists of both "not desiring something, and of  not desiring that it continue" -- Grant C. Sterling.

I asked Bard the question:
What does the pain/pleasure principle have to do with procrastination.

Bard:

"The pain/pleasure principle is a psychological concept that states that we are motivated to seek pleasure and avoid pain. This principle can be applied to procrastination, as we may procrastinate on tasks that we perceive as being painful or unpleasant.

"There are a number of reasons why we might procrastinate on tasks that we perceive as being painful or unpleasant. One reason is that we may be afraid of failure. When we procrastinate, we are essentially avoiding the risk of failure. Another reason why we might procrastinate is that we may not be motivated to complete the task. If we don't see the value in completing the task, we may be less likely to do it. Finally, we may procrastinate because we are simply lazy. If we don't feel like doing something, we may put it off until later.

"The pain/pleasure principle can be a powerful motivator, and it can be difficult to overcome. However, there are a number of things that we can do to reduce procrastination. One thing that we can do is to break down the task into smaller, more manageable steps. This can make the task seem less daunting and more achievable. Another thing that we can do is to set deadlines for ourselves. This can help us to stay on track and avoid putting off the task until the last minute. Finally, we can reward ourselves for completing the task. This can help to make the task more enjoyable and increase our motivation to do it.