10 The Art of Learning How to Defeat Procrastination

 

I. The Evolution of the Human Brain and Feelings

The source posits that human evolution, distinct from physical appearance, is primarily linked to the functioning of the brain, specifically its chemical processes. Feelings are directly tied to the exertion of various chemicals:

• Positive Feelings (Opportunity/Reward): Dopamine, oxytocin, and serotonin are associated with "feel-good" states. Dopamine, in particular, makes individuals feel good.
• Negative Feelings (Fear/Threat): Adrenalin and cortisol are released in response to fear or threat, leading to tension, anger, and a drive to "fight back." Adrenalin also fuels "thirst or ambition."

The source raises the question of why society doesn't simply block negative chemicals and perpetually produce dopamine for constant happiness.

II. The Dilemma of Dopamine and the "Monkey Brain"

The text argues that substances like Ecstasy, heroin, marijuana, and alcohol generate dopamine, leading to feelings of happiness. However, these are banned and considered criminal in society. The reason, according to the source, lies in their effect on human evolution and productivity:

• Reversal of Evolution: Monkeys and many other mammals (deer, zebra, giraffe) naturally have brains that generate more dopamine and very little adrenalin/cortisol, leading to a constant state of "feel good and happy mood." If humans were to solely generate dopamine, they would "evolve in reverse direction to the state of a monkey."
• Laziness and Unproductivity: Excess dopamine is linked to humans becoming "lazy and unproductive." This is why society has banned substances that generate excessive dopamine.

This suggests a fundamental trade-off: constant happiness (dopamine-driven) hinders growth and ambition, which are crucial for human progress.

III. Adrenalin, Ambition, and Human Growth

The source emphasizes the critical role of adrenalin in fostering ambition, a trait distinguishing humans from monkeys.

• The Story of Dhruva: This ancient Indian narrative is presented as the "very first instance recorded in human about ambition." Dhruva, initially unhappy and accepting his fate (cortisol), was given an "option to explore" by Naradha, which "triggered adrenalin." This adrenalin created a "thirst or ambition" to achieve his goal (the throne), driving him through "tough penance" to success.
• Ambition as a Growth Engine: Adrenalin is exerted "only when you are unhappy with what you are and figures out that you need something that is missing to get that happiness." This "unhappiness triggers adrenalin," pushing individuals to work hard, acquire new knowledge, and develop new skills to achieve desired outcomes (e.g., a primary school teacher becoming a professor to afford a better car). Therefore, "if we miss adrenalin in life, we will miss growth."

IV. "Yaapana" (Procrastination): The Instant Gratification Monkey

The concept of "yaapana," or procrastination, is introduced as a major obstacle to achieving long-term goals.

• The "Instant Gratification Monkey": This internal "monkey" represents the tendency to prioritize immediate pleasure over future rewards. It "removes our Mahindra suv700 gratification ambition from our brain and keeps in front of us the immediate happiness we will enjoy by seeing the tv serials and reality shows." This leads to postponing plans and indulging in short-term pleasures.
• The Challenge for Learners: Procrastination is a universal experience, particularly for learners, who "intend to delay or postpone our work due to our interference with the instant gratification monkey."

V. Weapons Against Procrastination: Dreams and Chunking

The source provides two primary "weapons" to combat "yaapana" and the instant gratification monkey:

1. Dreams (Imaginary World):

• Dreams are defined not as what one sees in sleep, but as an "imaginary world that we build in our thoughts that never lets us sleep."
• Overcoming Instant Gratification: The analogy of saving mangoes for a future "fruit party" illustrates how a strong dream of future happiness can "crush our instant gratification monkey."
• Application in Education: Teachers should encourage students to "set a goal or a dream" (e.g., desired marks on a marks card) and visualize the "celebrations they will have when the child gets those marks." This dream, kept in mind, serves as a powerful motivator to follow study plans.

1. Chunking (Breaking Down Tasks):

• The instant gratification monkey is most powerful at the "starting phase of any of your job."
• Fooling the Brain: The strategy is to "just blindly go and sit and just start" without worrying about the full scope of the task. Break down large tasks (e.g., 4 hours of study) into small, manageable "bits" (e.g., 5 minutes of study or 50 steps of jogging). "Fool your mind by just saying, ok ok I am not going to continue it, I will just study another five minutes and come back."
• Weakening the Monkey: By consistently "disobeying" the monkey with this method, it "slowly gets angry and will decide to not to come and disturb you again."

VI. The Paradox of Unhappiness and Growth

The source concludes by addressing a seeming paradox:

• Balance of Feelings: While children should feel "happy and feel good about what they are today" with respect to their inherent qualities, for "individual growth and performance, it should always dream big and should always be unhappy with what he is today."
• Adrenalin as a Growth Trigger: This "unhappiness should be followed by a goal that needs to be reached to make him happy." This specific unhappiness "triggers adrenalin in the child," empowering them to pursue dreams, adhere to routines, and overcome procrastination.

In essence, while dopamine provides comfort, adrenalin, driven by a strategic dissatisfaction with the present, is the chemical catalyst for ambition, growth, and the ability to overcome obstacles like procrastination. The challenge is to harness this "unhappiness" for productive ends, not succumb to its debilitating aspects.