Why Your Brain Tricks You Into Doing Less Important Tasks

Cognitive distortions can play a big role in anxiety, as these skewed perceptions lead us towards inaccurate beliefs about the world and its risks.  There is no shortage of ways in which our brains trick us into acting against our own interest.  As noted in this article in today's New York Times, these cognitive biases can lead us towards making decisions that do not align with our values or priorities.  The "urgency effect" leads us towards tasks that are easily completable, without regard for their usefulness or importance.  The rubric above is a great way to help us to make choices which truly reflect our values and prioritize our goals effectively.