The Most Deceptive Form of Procrastination: Looping
Your mind is tricking you
Even when we believe we’re immune to pseudo-productivity and fully immersed in deep work for, say, an hour, a subtle yet destructive tendency can creep in and render our focus futile: Looping.
We often assume that by avoiding multitasking and focusing on a single task for an extended period, we’ll naturally progress step by step through our work. However, reality isn’t always so straightforward.
Our minds have a curious way of operating below full capacity. Perhaps it’s our mind’s attempt to conserve energy since cognitive work demands significant effort.
Why do we enjoy looping?
Instead of pushing forward, we often find ourselves revisiting what we’ve already done — over and over again. And this feels satisfying for several reasons:
- We enjoy seeing the fruits of our labor, reinforcing a sense of accomplishment.
- We sidestep the anxiety associated with the unknown, choosing to focus on what’s complete rather than what’s left undone.
Unfinished tasks often come with uncertainty and looping is often a result of this ambiguity. It’s a stealthy form of procrastination.
It’s dangerous because it masquerades as productive work, leading us to believe we’re deeply engaged when, in reality, we’re reaching nowhere.
An example from my past
I recall my days of video editing, where I’d meticulously perfect the first 10 seconds, replaying it endlessly and making subtle tweaks each time.
This avoidance of the mentally taxing for something more relaxing can be a conscious decision. Like when I’d go to my friend’s to chill and he’d challenge me for a chess match. He’s really good at chess, so I’d counter challenge him for an Uno match instead, telling him “It’s not completely luck.”
In that relaxed setting, it made sense; I was there to unwind. But the same tendency unconsciously disrupts my deep work. Or at least used to.
In support of looping
Argument one
Some might argue that repeatedly reviewing your work allows for refinement, catching details you might otherwise miss. However, this reasoning overlooks the wisdom of separating creation from editing. The initial draft — your brainstorm— should capture everything in your head. Only then should you revisit it to refine, edit, and polish.
A more sophisticated approach to this concept is phased workflow or workflow segmentation. Unlike the simple create-then-edit model, phased workflows involve multiple steps. Let’s return to the example of video editing.
Wise editors often recommend breaking down video editing tasks into distinct phases, each focused on a specific aspect of the process. A typical workflow might look like this:
- Selecting clips
- Arranging the clips in sequence
- Adding sound effects
- Adding visual effects
- Applying color grading
Why is phased workflow smart?
This phased approach is not unique to video editing; it’s a general principle that can be applied to various types of work, from design to construction. In fact, it’s often more intuitive in fields like construction, where the need for a phased progress is obvious.
This method is recommended for several reasons:
- First, it provides a clearer context for later phases. You can’t effectively refine what you can’t see in its entirety. When you work in phases, each phase builds on the previous one. This not only ensures that the foundation is solid before adding complexity but also enhances decision-making. By viewing each part of the work in the context of the whole, you avoid the pitfalls of isolated thinking.
- Moreover, our minds aren’t wired for multitasking. Trying to tackle different tasks simultaneously can disrupt your flow, as you have to juggle various elements in your working memory. Each element demands a specific mindset or access to particular tools, and switching between these can dilute your focus.
- This phased approach also improves the quality of your work, allowing you to fully engage your cognitive abilities for each phase.
While there are many other reasons to adopt this method, these points should be enough for now.
Argument two
Some may argue that a certain amount of looping is acceptable — perhaps even beneficial — if it makes the work more enjoyable and the individual is aware of it. Personally, I prefer to avoid looping altogether and save the self-critique for after the work session.
Playing devil’s advocate, two arguments in favor of looping might be enough, but if not, the comment section is open for you to weigh in.
Tactics to avoid looping
The issue, however, isn’t simple to resolve. Just recently, while creating a complex quiz form on Tally with intricate logic, I found myself stuck in a looping cycle despite being aware of my tendencies. The uncertainty at some point becomes paralyzing, and looping can serve as a form of escapism.
However, I’ve learned some tactics to harness more of my cognitive abilities and push through ambiguity. You can explore these strategies here.
