Another form of self-compassion can counter the tendency to procrastinate, but it is a little strange to call it self-compassion. That is the compassion and empathy for our future selves as distinct individuals untethered to who we are today. The future Bharat Kumar is dependent on the current, present Bharat Kumar. I should treat him with kindness and give him every tool so he can succeed in the future. In exchange, I would expect nothing less than for my future self to be forgiving and appreciative of whatever things my present self is doing.
The Future of Procrastination
Now that we’ve traced the history of procrastination from ancient Greece and Rome to the modern day, you may wonder what the future of procrastination will look like. There’s no doubt whatsoever that the temptation to procrastinate will remain very much a core part of the human experience and that there are going to be all sorts of new methods to gratify that tendency. Big tech companies have used the Zeigarnik and Ovsianik effects to great effect, essentially addicting us to experiences they charge for.8 At the same time, the duties of a rheumatologist continue to grow, and the pressure to be as perfect as possible can zap the pleasure out of our jobs and lead us down the path of unproductive escapist procrastination.
But there is considerable hope as well. Over the past few months, I’ve utilized an app on my phone that employs the Pomodoro technique.9 My phone creates the structure of four sessions of work, each lasting 25 minutes, with five-minute breaks in between. It essentially blocks my ability to engage in any other activities using the phone. When there are important jobs I must do that cannot be avoided, it curtails my ability to get distracted and the temptation to procrastinate to begin with.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is another field that can help us overcome procrastination.10 Programs and apps that thoughtfully utilize AI can boost productivity, hence making tasks more efficient and less burdensome. AI can also infuse creativity into tasks that are otherwise boring, potentially replacing the adrenaline hit of doing something at the last minute. More insidiously, AI can monitor the degree of our productivity and provide insights into when it is best to continue working and when it may be best to take extended breaks. Finally, AI is inherently manipulative and, if programmed responsibility, AI can manipulate our emotions to feel more engaged and motivated when doing tasks.
