The Power of Embracing the Unknown: Building an Antilibrary to Avoid Procrastination and Foster Personal Growth

The Power of Embracing the Unknown: Building an Antilibrary to Avoid Procrastination and Foster Personal Growth

In a world filled with distractions and endless to-do lists, it's no wonder that many of us struggle with procrastination. We often find ourselves putting off tasks or projects until the last minute, succumbing to the allure of instant gratification. However, recent research has shed light on the best way to avoid procrastination - and it may not be what you expect.

According to a study published in Neuroscience News, if you want someone to help you out with something, it is best not to set a deadline at all. The study found that when no deadline was specified, there was a large number of early responses. This can be attributed to the urgency to act that is often perceived by people when asked to help. On the other hand, specifying a longer deadline, such as one month, appeared to give people permission to procrastinate. Inattentiveness and forgetfulness were cited as reasons for low response rates with longer deadlines.

While deadlines can be effective in certain situations, they can also hinder productivity and create unnecessary stress. So, if you find yourself constantly procrastinating, consider setting shorter deadlines or removing them altogether. By doing so, you may find that you are more motivated to act and complete tasks in a timely manner.

Now, let's shift our focus to the concept of building an antilibrary. Tsundoku, a beautiful Japanese word, describes the habit of acquiring books but letting them pile up without reading them. This concept, popularized by Nassim Nicholas Taleb in his book "The Black Swan," refers to a private collection of unread books. It may seem counterintuitive, but unread books can be as powerful as the ones we have read, if we choose to consider them in the right light.

Instead of collecting books you have already read to proudly display them on your shelf, the goal of an antilibrary is to curate a highly personal collection of resources around themes you are curious about. By embracing the unknown and surrounding yourself with unread books, you are fostering a sense of intellectual curiosity and creating a humble relationship with knowledge.

Scottish scientist James Clerk Maxwell once said, "Thoroughly conscious ignorance is the prelude to every real advance in science." This quote perfectly encapsulates the power of an antilibrary. By acknowledging what we do not know and actively seeking to expand our knowledge, we open ourselves up to new ideas and perspectives.

One way to make the most of an antilibrary is by making notes of all relevant references. When an author mentions another book, take the time to check the exact reference and make a note of it. By doing so, you will have a list of all the relevant sources for a book when you are done reading it. This practice not only enhances your understanding of the material but also allows you to dive deeper into the subjects that interest you.

Additionally, building an antilibrary is an investment in yourself that should stay within your means. Knowledge is a process, not a possession. It's important to remember that the value of an antilibrary lies not in the number of books you collect, but in the opportunities for growth and discovery that it presents.

In conclusion, avoiding procrastination and fostering personal growth can go hand in hand. By setting shorter or no deadlines, we can harness the power of urgency to motivate ourselves. And by building an antilibrary, we create a humble relationship with knowledge and embrace the unknown. To put these ideas into action, here are three actionable pieces of advice:

• 1. Set shorter deadlines or remove them altogether when seeking help or completing tasks. This will increase the sense of urgency and motivation to act.

• 2. Build an antilibrary by curating a collection of unread books around topics that interest you. Embrace the unknown and acknowledge the value of what you do not know.

• 3. Make notes of all relevant references when reading books. By doing so, you create a valuable resource for future exploration and deepen your understanding of the material.

Remember, the journey towards personal growth and overcoming procrastination is ongoing. Embrace the power of urgency, surround yourself with unread books, and never stop seeking knowledge.