The 15-Second Rule That Makes Procrastination Impossible | Ep 18
Mar 19, 2024
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Rían Doris discusses the 15-second rule to beat procrastination by balancing task challenge and skill. He explores the root of procrastination in conflicting desires and shares strategies for deep focused work amidst interruptions. The podcast delves into distinguishing ambivalence from procrastination for better decision-making.
Utilizing the four-phase flow cycle helps athletes achieve extraordinary performances by accessing a state of effortless attention.
Setting clear goals and managing the challenge-skilled balance are crucial in overcoming procrastination by activating efficient task execution and directing focus.
Deep dives
The Flow Cycle and Flow States in Action Sports
Action and adventure athletes harness the power of flow states to achieve remarkable feats, advancing their respective sports rapidly. By utilizing the four-phase flow cycle - struggle, release, flow, and recovery - these athletes access a state of effortless attention where self-awareness diminishes, propelling them to extraordinary performances. For example, surfing saw a transition from 30 to 80-foot waves, and skateboarders achieved previously unimaginable tricks.
Tools to Overcome Procrastination: Clear Goals and Challenge-Skilled Balance
To combat procrastination, setting clear goals and managing the challenge-skilled balance are pivotal. Clear goals, distinct from outcome objectives, activate the basal ganglia, promoting efficient task execution and directing focus. The challenge-skilled balance, aiming for tasks slightly surpassing current skill levels, propels individuals into flow by absorbing their attention. Modifying the challenge level, regulating time, and clarifying task scope contribute to overcoming procrastination.
Mastering Approach-Avoidance Conflict and Ambivalence
The approach-avoidance conflict, driven by dopamine-based approach and cortisol-based avoidance systems, underlies procrastination. Employing response inhibition techniques, such as bypassing initial reactions and leveraging neurochemistry, aids in overriding procrastination triggers. Distinguishing between procrastination and ambivalence is crucial, as the latter may signal misalignment with goals or values, leading to insights for effective decision-making and personal growth.
Rían Doris is the Co-Founder & CEO of Flow Research Collective, the world’s leading peak performance research and training institute focused on decoding the neuroscience of flow states and helping leaders and their teams unlock flow states consistently.
Clients include Accenture, Audi, Facebook, Bain & the US Airforce. Along with being listed on Forbes 30 Under 30 Rian's thought leadership has been featured in Fast Company, PBS and Big Think and he hosts Flow Research Collective Radio, an iTunes top 10 science podcast.
Rían is also the Executive Chairman & Owner of Consulting.com. On the side, Rian does some angel investing in health and performance companies like Levels Health, Neurohacker Collective, The Way & Myodetox.
Rían holds a degree in Philosophy, Politics & Economics (PPE) from Trinity College Dublin, an MSc in Neuroscience at King's College, London and an MBA. Rian is currently pursuing a PhD at the University of Birmingham—focusing on how flow states affect perceived meaning in life.
Prior to co-founding Flow Research Collective with Steven Kotler, Rian worked with NYT Bestselling Author Keith Ferazzi, and 12X NYT Bestselling Author Dr. Dan Siegel, distinguished fellow of the American Psychiatric Association.
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