In our fast-paced and goal-oriented world, it's not uncommon to question why we sometimes find ourselves engaging in activities that seem to have no purpose or impact. Whether it's scrolling through social media, watching mindless videos, or getting lost in trivial tasks (I have many many shameful commits to testify for this), we may wonder why we engage in these behaviors that often leave us feeling worse afterward. In this blog post, I'll explore some possible reasons I fall into this trap.
Self-Punishment: A Vicious Cycle
One possible explanation for engaging in insignificant activities is the tendency to punish oneself. It's not uncommon for us to feel guilty or undeserving of leisure time or relaxation, especially when we have been procrastinating for too long and have a backlog of big and urgent tasks (people waiting for us), or life interruptions keep getting in our way. Consequently, we engage in meaningless tasks as a way to subconsciously inflict punishment upon ourselves. Paradoxically, this self-punishment often results in increased feelings of dissatisfaction and unhappiness, further perpetuating the cycle. Really bad place to be.
The best advice I can give you for this situation is to avoid it completely, "Eat the frog", be conscious that sooner or later that task that is bothering you, that is making your mind escape and punish you will have to be done. Go, take a walk, take time to introspect, and identify the emotions, triggers, or thought patterns that lead you towards unproductive activities, come back and do it!
Procrastination: Avoiding the Essential
Another common culprit behind engaging in insignificant activities is procrastination. When faced with daunting or important tasks, things we really do not want to do, our minds often seek refuge in distractions. By engaging in trivial activities, we temporarily alleviate the anxiety or pressure associated with the more significant responsibilities at hand. However, this relief is short-lived, as the underlying tasks continue to linger, contributing to a sense of guilt and unproductivity and, eventually, leading us to the punishment state.
Establish clear goals and priorities to give your activities a sense of purpose. Break down larger tasks into smaller, manageable steps to minimize overwhelm and procrastination. Take control of your life and face those tasks you don't want to do, sooner or later either you will have to or the importance will fade in a way you may not like it to have happened. Life will decide for you and you may not like the decision.
Again, calm your thoughts, concentrate, and get things done!
Seeking Mental Relief and Breaks
Engaging in trivial activities may also be a sign of our minds craving relaxation or a break from the demands of our daily lives. After long work hours or periods of intense focus (and loneliness), our mental faculties can become fatigued. Engaging in mindless or insignificant activities might serve as a form of escapism, allowing our minds to unwind and recharge. However, it's important to strike a balance and ensure that these breaks do not overshadow or hinder our overall productivity.
I have heard for years that this is fixed by time management techniques. Implement effective time management techniques, such as the Pomodoro Technique, to maintain focus and productivity. By allocating specific time slots for leisure and relaxation, you can enjoy guilt-free breaks while ensuring your essential tasks are accomplished. Personally, I have never been able to make this work for me, I just keep going until I die in the boiling water. Furthermore, I still have to cross paths with someone who is actually doing one of these successfully, but if it works for you, great!
Some Guidance
Recognizing and understanding the underlying causes behind our tendencies to engage in insignificant activities is the first step towards breaking free from the cycle. In my personal case, it is all about hiding from things that overwhelm me and processing the overall loneliness.
There have been a few things that have helped me keep my sanity during these years.
Helping people. Keeping an online activity that keeps the noise level constant during every hour of the day keeps your mind so busy that you don't have much time for anything else except eventual burnout
Exercising has been a recent discovery that is very powerful, having that daily time away from the computer where your mind can drift into other areas is priceless. The feeling of power in your body is too :-)
Meditating/Praying. This is something I used to do when I was much younger during a time. I am trying to get back to it now, but still have too much noise in my life to be able to appreciate the power. I see the potential, but it is a hard path to follow in today's world.
Social Contact. This is similar to helping people but the reverse, they help you. For a brief moment of time in my life, I had a friend/coworker who was capable of snapping me out of the wasting time cycle. She would randomly catch me there and pull me out as well as expect explanations for the time I spent, which kept me focused. It was an interesting experience, a positive change. I have been working alone my whole life so I don't know much about the social dynamics of an office environment but I suppose your teammates may be able to produce a similar effect.
Engaging in insignificant activities without impact can be a frustrating and demotivating experience. While there may be various reasons behind this behavior, it's important to recognize that you have the power to break free from these cycles. That is much easier said than done!
By understanding the underlying causes and implementing strategies to regain control over your time and priorities, you can shift towards a more fulfilling and purpose-driven life. Remember, every small step towards change counts, and with determination and self-compassion, you can redirect your time and energy toward activities that truly matter to you.
Focus and take control!