How To Get Started On Anything
December 28 by Leon Ho | Uncategorized
A blog Smart Graduate School Applications discusses about a social psychology theory called Two Factor Theory of Emotion, which predicts the elements of a person’s environment can have a significant impact to their emotion state.
The post follows on and describes this can link to how we can overcome procrastination. He suggests to start on a project while sipping coffee. He finds coffee impacts his positive emotion towards his task:
I usually work on multiple projects at the same time, and whenever a new project comes along, I find it really difficult to actually get started. Once I’ve begun making progress, I’m able to move smoothly without any problems. It’s the getting started that’s really difficult, especially if it’s something I’m not really interested in. At an intellectual level I know I have to get started, but I’m not able to summon up the motivation to begin.
For the last few months, the most reliable technique I’ve found to help me get started is to take the work to a coffee shop and begin while sipping coffee. I’ve found that this allows me to get excited about whatever is in front of me at that time. My brain appears to misattribute the physiological response to coffee as excitement about whatever I’m working on at that time…
How To Get Started On Anything – [Smart Graduate School Applications]











lame howto
If all it took was drinking coffee, I’d be a hell of a lot more productive than I am. I’m betting it’s the coffee shop, not the coffee. Away from usual distractions and people to chat with, it’s much easier to focus on what you’re needing to get done.
I love any article that promotes coffee!!!
[...] From Lifehack, “How to get started on Anything”, an interesting post on help around overcoming procrastination. [...]
Leon:
Everybody’s got a different motivation. Motivation is an inside job. If there’s something that one can do to stir the fires of inspiration and perspiration, then go for it.
I happen to find that I do some of my better work at night when I take the time to brew a pot of coffee before I sit down to work. It might only be the caffeine, but there’s also something to the practice. Maybe it’s the ritual of the whole thing.
If it works…go for it.
Tim, Studio717: Sounds about right – Ritual, or a motivational “switch”. It probably relates to the latest post today on motivation.
Don’t be to quick to dismiss this.
Essentially what is happinging is the association of coffee (something the author obviously enjoys) with something that the author does not enjoy. By associating the coffee with the beginning of a project, they are creating a positive response.
Think of Pavlov’s dog. The bell (new project) creates no positive response, but given association and repetition with a postitive stimulus, the bell we cause the desired behavior.
-M
[...] Read blog posts about procrastination: To procrastinate more, but get a little closer to my goal, I read blogs about procrastination. For example, this morning I searched on one of my favorite blogs, Lifehack.org, and read “How To Get Started On Anything.” [...]
[...] I know what I want to do, but how do I do to get started and stay on track? From Lifehack, “How to get started on Anything”, an interesting post on help around overcoming [...]
[...] Read blog posts about procrastination: this allows me to procrastinate more, but I get a little closer to my goal by reading blogs about procrastination. For example, I searched on one of my favorite blogs, Lifehack.org, and read “How To Get Started On Anything.” [...]