Understanding Procrastination and Overcoming Its Physiological Roots

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The chapter explores procrastination as a physiological response rooted in the nervous system, challenging common beliefs attributing it to laziness. The speaker shares personal experiences and expertise in psychotherapy, emphasizing the importance of recognizing procrastination as a physical problem rather than a mindset issue. Strategies like focusing on 'micro yeses' and breaking the cycle of physiological states are discussed to overcome the paralysis of procrastination.

In this episode, we sit down with therapist Britt Frank to discuss the intention action gap, the psychological term for the chasm between what you very much intend to do and what you tend to do instead. It turns out, there's a well-researched psychological framework that includes a term for when you have a stated, known goal – a change you'd like to make in your life – something you wake up intending to finally do or get started doing, but then don't do while knowing full well you are actively not doing what you ought and wish you had done by now. After we discuss this phenomenon and how to deal with it, we get into procrastination and how to escape all manner of dead-end behavioral loops.

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