Updated: Dec. 18, 2023
Originally Published: November 6, 2014
“I promised myself I’d eat better this week, but when my colleague brought in a delicious chocolate cake, I couldn’t resist.”
“I intended to go for a run after work, but it’s so cold and dreary outside, and curling up on the couch with a show is just too tempting.”
“I should really start working on that important report, but one more day of procrastination won’t hurt, right?”
These sentiments are familiar to many of us. We often recognize what we ought to do—like exercising, quitting smoking, or tackling that overdue phone call—but struggle to find the motivation to actually follow through. This phenomenon is so prevalent that we may overlook its underlying causes. Why do we find it difficult to do what we truly want to accomplish?
The Dilemma of Inaction
It may seem puzzling that we can genuinely want to do something yet fail to act on it. This disconnect between intention and action is a common experience, and it has a name: akrasia. Whenever you procrastinate or break a commitment without a valid reason, you’re exhibiting akratic behavior.
What leads to akrasia? Are we simply being lazy? Not quite.
Akrasia often arises in situations where the benefits of an action are delayed. For example, exercising or maintaining a healthy diet yields long-term benefits, but the immediate effects are not easily noticeable. You might feel slightly better after one workout, but the significant changes come after consistent effort over time. Similarly, working on your thesis ahead of the deadline can ease future stress, but the immediate reward isn’t apparent.
Moreover, engaging in positive activities can come with immediate drawbacks, or there may be alternatives that provide instant gratification. For instance, going for a run might be beneficial for your health, but it also requires facing unpleasant weather. Conversely, you could choose to stay inside and watch TV, which feels much more appealing in the moment. This struggle between short-term comfort and long-term benefit often leads to a preference for immediate rewards. Research in motivational psychology shows that the further away the rewards, the less likely individuals are to pursue actions that lead to those rewards.
The Conflict Between Present and Future Selves
Another way to conceptualize this issue is to think of “present-you” and “future-you” as separate entities. Have you ever experienced a mental tug-of-war between what you should do and what you want to do? This inner conflict reflects a phenomenon known as “time-inconsistent preferences.” For example, in one study, participants chose between an apple and a chocolate bar. Those asked about their preferences for immediate consumption tended to select the chocolate, while those considering their choices for later opted for the apple.
The positive takeaway is that not acting on your intentions doesn’t equate to laziness. The downside is that finding motivation for actions with delayed benefits is inherently challenging. In the next installment of this series, I will explore strategies to overcome this hurdle, including how to create personal incentives that align with your goals.
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Summary
In summary, the struggle to act on our intentions—known as akrasia—is not simply a matter of laziness. It often stems from the conflict between immediate rewards and long-term benefits, as well as the distinction between our present desires and future goals. Understanding these dynamics can help us develop strategies to better align our actions with our aspirations.