What is Procrastivity? Why you can do Everything Except what you Actually Need to do
Your final exam is tomorrow, but suddenly, you feel like you’re ready to tackle the laundry mountain that’s been piling up for months. All your laundry get’s done, and you feel like you’ve had a really productive day. But then you fall back into reality and realize “my exam is tomorrow and I’ve hardly studied at all”.
What is Procrastivity?
Procrastivity is when we keep ourselves busy and technically productive by doing things… just not that high priority task we should really be working on at the moment. Procrastination on it’s own is avoiding something that needs to be done. Procrastivity takes it a step further and makes us feel like we’re being productive. Ultimately, we’re still avoiding the thing that needs to be done but with extra steps. This is what can make is so difficult to catch.
Why this Happens
Often procrastivity crops up when there’s something we really don’t want to do. It likely doesn’t have a clear start and end point, and lacks visible progress. Take studying as an example, you could technically keep going forever. The laundry is a lot different, and more satisfying in a way. You can see your progress, there’s a routine you don’t need to think about, and you have a clear end point. It gives us the dopamine we’re looking for, and erases the shame that often comes along with procrastination on it’s own.
How to Spot it
There are a few key elements of procrastivity task versus a priority task you can look out for. It includes:
Manual - physical labour or a clearly laid out cognitive task.
Routine - clear steps or a template for what needs to be done.
Progress - you can visually see progress being made, and know what the end looks like.
How to Reduce Procrastivity
Now that you understand what it is, why you do it and how you can spot it, we can look at strategies for reducing how often you do it. Let’s get you spending more time on what you actually need to be doing!
Shrink the Real Task
The hardest part is just getting started. If you’re avoiding something, it can be a sign that it feels overwhelming. Make the first step as small as you possibly can. Instead of planning to “study”, maybe it’s just telling yourself to gather your study materials. Maybe it’s just telling yourself to sit down at your desk.
Busywork Becomes the Warmup
Instead of replacing your task with the procrastivity, you can use it as a warmup to getting to your priority task. Make it’s small, and set a timer so you don’t get carried away. But getting that small win can give you a little confidence and dopamine boost to start the momentum.
“Just 5 Minutes”
Tell yourself you just need to work on it for a few minutes, and set a timer. This can help you get started and into the flow. More often than not you’ll find that starting was in fact the challenge and you’ll be able to keep going on your priority task.
Did you Find This Helpful?
Then you’ll probably like my ADHD student survival guide! It’ll filled with more strategies just like this. Oh, and the best part is, it’s free! Just fill out the form below and it’ll be sent straight to your inbox.
