Many of us can relate to thoughts like these:
- “I promised myself I’d eat better this week, but then someone brought in that delicious chocolate cake to the office. Who can say no to that?”
- “I intended to go for a run today, but the cold, dreary weather made curling up in front of the TV seem way more appealing.”
- “I really ought to start working on that report, but I can always do it tomorrow, right?”
These internal dialogues highlight a common struggle: the gap between our intentions and actions. We often know what we should do—whether it’s exercising, quitting unhealthy habits, or tackling that overdue phone call—but we find it hard to muster the motivation to actually do them. This phenomenon, known as akrasia, occurs when we have the best of intentions but fail to act upon them.
The Nature of Akrasia
It’s perplexing that we can genuinely want to accomplish something yet not follow through. This dissonance happens frequently; we set goals but struggle to realize them into actions. Akrasia is the technical term for this lack of self-control, and it often manifests as procrastination or breaking resolutions without valid reasons.
So, what leads to akrasia? Are we merely being lazy? Not quite.
Akrasia typically arises in situations where the benefits are delayed. Activities like exercising or starting that thesis months in advance may yield long-term gains, but the immediate rewards are often elusive. For instance, running regularly will eventually enhance your fitness, but you won’t see noticeable improvements after just one session. Similarly, starting a thesis early might lessen stress later on, but the lack of immediate gratification makes it easier to procrastinate.
Moreover, there’s often a short-term cost associated with these beneficial activities. Choosing to run means braving the elements, while cozying up with a good show is far more inviting at that moment. In the tug-of-war between immediate pleasures and future benefits, the allure of the present often prevails. Psychological research indicates that the more distant the rewards, the less likely individuals are to engage in actions that yield them.
The Conflict Between Present and Future Selves
Another way to conceptualize this dilemma is to imagine “present-you” and “future-you” as distinct entities. Have you ever felt like there are two opposing voices in your head? At noon, “present-you” might be eager to run tonight, but “future-you” could just want to binge-watch your favorite series. This internal struggle reflects our tendency to have “time-inconsistent preferences.”
In a revealing study, participants were asked whether they preferred an apple or a chocolate bar as a snack. Those asked about their choice “now” often picked the chocolate, while those inquiring about a later snack leaned toward the healthier apple.
The Good News
The silver lining here is that failing to act on your intentions doesn’t mean you lack motivation. The challenging truth is that it’s inherently tough to push ourselves toward actions that don’t offer immediate rewards. In the next part of this series, I will delve into effective strategies for overcoming these barriers and how to build a system of rewards to help you achieve your goals.
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Summary
Understanding akrasia helps us recognize the common struggle between our intentions and actions. The gap often arises from the allure of immediate gratification over delayed rewards. By acknowledging this internal conflict, we can work toward more effective strategies for achieving our goals.