EP. 34: THE MOTIVATION EQUATION: PIERS STEEL ON HOW TO STOP PUTTING THINGS OFF

Bounce! Conversations with Larry Weeks

Depending on the research, there are anywhere from 40% - 60% percent of us admitting we make New Year's resolutions, A study from the University of Scranton found that 23% of people quit their resolution after one week. And only 19% of individuals actually stick to the goals longer term.

We put off starting a project we planned, or once started, we never finish. We swear to eat healthily, lose weight, or you name it, only to see ourselves defeated by what seems to be a lack of will.

If we really want to do these things, why don't we do them?

My guest on the show is Dr. Piers Steel.

Piers is a Distinguished Research Chair at the University of Calgary, where he teaches human resources and organizational dynamics at the Haskayne School of Business.

Piers is one of the world's leading researchers on the science of motivation and procrastination.

He's also the inventor of the procrastination equation – an equation that can explain every scientific finding on procrastination ever and is laid out in his oft-cited book The Procrastination Equation: How to Stop Putting Things Off and Start Getting Stuff Done.

You're about to find out not only why you procrastinate, but the science around what works to overcome it, i.e., how to increase motivation.

When you learn the equation, you can use it to diagnose where your lack of motivation might be coming from. And from there, you can increase your motivation on-command.

Piers lays it out for us.

On this show, some of the topics we cover include …

• Long-held myths on why people procrastinate
• The truth about why we procrastinate
• He breaks down each part of the motivation equation and talks through how to work with them
• The power of context
• The real problem with impulsiveness and some tricks to thwart temptation
• Sort ranking the motivation variables by impact
• THE #1 Reason people procrastinate
• What elevates motivation and what depresses it
• The problem with smart goals

Enjoy!

For resources, show notes and more visit larryweeks.com