So I have this theory. I don’t have a name for it yet. Basically, the theory is if you tell yourself you’re going to do something negative or indulgent (ice cream), you will procrastinate less. Instead of worrying about how you’re not doing something positive, you either do something negative and then move on or you realize it’s negative and decide to do something positive instead. This also makes you feel positive about your decision. I guess I’ve heard a variation of this in asking parents for favors. ‘Can I have a car? No? Then how about a surf board?”
Anyway, the theory works pretty well, at least for me. I think it might be partly because I am so good at procrastinating or, maybe more to the point, because I like to not do what I say I’m going to do. So when I say I’m going to do something negative, that thing becomes easy not to do.
Here’s the question, though. And it’s difficult because my life is filled with so many “should’s.” I should go to sleep so I have energy tomorrow, but I should also stay up and get some work done. I’m trying to make this decision, and I have no negative option. I guess that’s kind of freeing. Just do one. It’ll be positive.
