The procrastination formula — a framework by Ole Wang

Hand-drawn diagram of framework 61, The procrastination formula: Make it nearer, smaller, likelier, and worth it. — Framework 61 · in one look

How to use it

You put things off when success feels unlikely, the reward feels far away, the task feels big and distraction is close. So pull the levers: make the first step tiny, tie it to something you care about now, set a deadline today, and remove the distraction instead of resisting it.

How sure we are

S Evidence: strong. Large trials or many studies, pointing the same way.

Sources

Steel 2007 (meta-analysis, 691 correlations; correlational, the formula itself is theory) · Ali Abdaal's quick diagnosis: is it clarity (no clear next step), fear (of looking foolish, of discomfort) or inertia (just start for 2 minutes)? (🟠)

Not medical, legal or financial advice.

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