Duct Tape Solutions

Tim Urban discusses duct tape solutions in the context of overcoming procrastination. For him, these temporary fixes, likening them to patching a leaky boat with duct tape, can include creating external pressures, such as committing to public performances or harsh penalties for inaction, to spur productivity and meet deadlines. He acknowledges these methods might not solve the underlying issue but can be effective short-term fixes to push past resistance and get things done 1.

Lex Fridman also notes that the consistency of scheduling and committing to tasks, like regularly publishing podcasts, can be a form of duct tape solution. This external structure helps ensure ongoing productivity, even when the primary motivation wanes 2.