“I promised myself I’d eat better this week, yet when my colleague brought in a chocolate cake, I couldn’t resist.”
“I planned to go for a run today, but the cold rain outside makes watching TV much more inviting.”
“I really should start working on that report, but can one more day of procrastination hurt?”
Many of us can relate to these thoughts. We often know what we should be doing—whether it’s exercising, quitting smoking, or tackling that overdue phone call—but we struggle to find the motivation to follow through. This phenomenon is so prevalent that we rarely pause to consider its underlying causes. Why do we find it so difficult to act on our intentions?
The Disconnect Between Intention and Action
It’s perplexing how we can genuinely want to accomplish something yet fail to do it. This disconnect is often termed akrasia, a state where we know what we should do but cannot translate our intentions into actions. Each instance of procrastination or a broken commitment without a legitimate reason indicates akratic behavior.
So, what leads to akrasia? Are we simply lazy? Not quite.
Akrasia frequently arises in situations where the benefits of an activity are delayed. Consider exercising or maintaining a healthy diet—these actions yield long-term benefits, yet the immediate results are often negligible. For instance, while regular running improves fitness over time, an individual is unlikely to see significant changes after just one session. Similarly, starting work on a thesis well in advance reduces future stress, but the immediate reward is minimal.
Moreover, there’s often a trade-off involving immediate discomfort for potential long-term gains. Choosing to run means facing unpleasant weather, while staying indoors to watch television seems far more pleasant in the moment. The allure of immediate gratification often overshadows long-term rewards, as research in motivation psychology suggests that the more distant the consequence, the less likely individuals are to take action.
The Internal Conflict of Present and Future Selves
To better understand this struggle, envision a scenario where “Present-You” and “Future-You” are two distinct individuals. At noon, “Present-You” might be enthusiastic about going for a run later, but “Evening-You” is likely to choose comfort over exertion. This internal debate reflects our tendency toward time-inconsistent preferences. For example, in one study, participants who were asked to choose between an apple and a chocolate bar preferred the latter when the reward was immediate, yet chose the apple when the reward was postponed.
The Good News: You’re Not Lazy
The silver lining here is that failing to act on your intentions does not equate to laziness. The challenge lies in motivating ourselves to pursue actions with delayed benefits, which is a universal struggle. In a follow-up discussion, we will explore strategies for overcoming this tendency, including how to create personal rewards that can help align your actions with your true desires.
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In summary, understanding the reasons behind our struggles with motivation can empower us to take control of our actions and align them with our goals.