[on] principle

As friends of This Little Blog would know, I am mad for a theory.

One of my favourites [which actually goes by the name of a Principle but, with it’s beautiful alliteration, could be just as thrilling] is the Premack Principle. It goes a little something like this:

Frequently occuring behaviour can be used to reinforce low probability behaviour.

Or translated: don’t let yourself do the fun stuff until you do the boring stuff.

Easy right? And obvious. Everyone knows that’s a good idea. [But maybe we sometimes forget?]

So lovely people, when you get to Monday morning and you’re planning for The Most Productive Week Ever, stay Premack Principled:

• Send your invoices before you check Twitter.
• Read three articles before you pick up Vogue.
• Make those calls before the coffee run.
• Do the vacuuming before baking.and.licking.the.bowl.
• Finish your report before checking emails (again).

In a Premack world, you not only still get the good stuff, the less.good is already out of the way.

Genius.