Extreme Prolonging Techniques

Procrastination By Numbers

The art of turning procrastination into a science. Where every task takes 4 times longer than expected, because, well, why not?

Technique 1: The 4x Multifaceted Approach

Break down any task into 4 smaller, equally important sub-tasks, and then focus on one of them for 4 hours. Repeat.

Example: If you're supposed to do 1 report, break it down into 4 reports: 1 report, 1 report, 1 report, and 1 report.

Benefits: Increased sense of accomplishment, because you've made progress on 1 of the 4 reports.

Disadvantages: You'll never finish the actual report.

Case Study: John's 4-Year Report

Technique 2: The 20-Minute Window Of Opportunity

Distract yourself with a 20-minute window of browsing, gaming, or social media scrolling. After 20 minutes, you'll forget what you were doing, and the task will seem new again.

Example: Spend 20 minutes on cat videos, then come back to your report.

Benefits: Increased focus, because you've rebooted your brain.

Disadvantages: You'll never finish the report.

Case Study: Jane's 5-Hour Report

Technique 3: The Single-Task Switcher

Switch between multiple tasks at random, never committing to one task for more than 5 minutes.

Example: Start writing a report, then switch to checking email, then switch to playing video games, then switch to eating a snack.

Benefits: Increased sense of productivity, because you've done 5 things at the same time.

Disadvantages: You'll never finish any of the tasks.

Case Study: Bob's 3-Task-Triangle