Note: I made this article a year ago
Do you have so much free time available that you procrastinate? Do you need a routine but at the same time, they never seem to work for you? If yes, then here is a fun solution I have made that might be helpful.
The Task Randomization Technique
In order for this technique to work, you will create a list of tasks with no immediate urgency and things you plan to do for the day. There is no rule for the number of tasks, as long it is greater than one. If a task is too long, you can split it off into two item. For example, you can make a list like this:
- Email to professor about missing coursework
- Do daily reading of the light novel
- Complete Organic Chemistry post-lab part 1
- Complete Organic Chemistry post-lab part 2
- Play a chess game
Notice I put some fun stuff in there so your procrastination self will be happy.
Then use a random number generator a random item from the list. Now, that’s what you are going to do first. After you finish that task, pick another random item from the list. Rinse and repeat.
The Logic
In my goal to improve my productivity, I stumbled down a great literature review. It’s called “How Study Environments Foster Academic Procrastination: Overview and Recommendations”. It is an interesting read by the way if you have the time. One of the topics it discussed is how autonomy and too much freedom can encourage procrastination.
Of course, you can be normal and set up a routine or set up a study plan, but for some, that only adds a band-aid into the problem. At the end of the day, you still have the ultimate say in whatever you play another chess game or memorize all your organic chemistry reactions. So if your decisions to choose are the problem, then why not let the power of the dice the authority to control your decisions? That way, all tasks are considered equally, and you do not have to sweat about what order you should do things in!
Another advantage of this technique is that it forces you to set a list of tasks you have to do. This prevents you from forgetting any important tasks. This could be particularly useful if you have a lot under your plate. It is a lot easier to waste your attention on that one project, not the minor assignments.
Lastly, this technique also adds an element of fun to your schedule. Every time you randomly select an item from the list, there is anticipation. Do you have to deal with that one annoying piece of homework or do you get watch the next episode of the TV you are watching? Even if the homework gets chosen, at least you laugh at yourself for having hope for five seconds.
The Limitations
This technique assumes every task is equal urgency. This is not a big deal if you are able to do every task eventually before the deadline. However, practically it is easy to run out of time so you sometimes have to give up your randomized routine and response to the urgency. As a result, you should also learn to adapt without using this technique.
Furthermore, although giving up decision making could help you encourage to do certain tasks, there has been times where I deviate from the set routine anyway. By adding the element of luck in my technique, it only creates an illusion of losing authority as you have to obey by the dice. You still can disobey anyway. One thing you could try is splitting the task to half again, to make it feel less overwhelming. Nevertheless, I would still argue though that doing this technique is better than doing nothing.
One footnote
I am not the first one who thought about this idea. I’m sure someone invented this before Greek times.
last modified on 2026年07月07日