This document summarizes the design of a study on willpower and productivity. It describes (1) conducting research through interviews and experiments to understand impulsive behaviors and decision making, (2) prototyping interventions like list-making and a texting platform to record progress and receive reminders, and (3) testing the prototypes in a study with different experiment conditions involving individual use or social support to measure effects on accomplishing daily tasks. The results showed that conditions combining goals, accountability and social motivation led to the most tasks being completed. Design recommendations for future productivity tools emphasized setting flexible but specific commitments, incorporating breaks, and providing social sharing at choice of the user.

1. forProductivity
cognitivedesign
Allison V. Leach[ ]

2. “procrasti-cleaning”

3. Do
Laundry
Pay
Bills
WRITE
THESIS
BOOK!
Run
3 Miles
positive procrastination

4. google’s nyc cafeteria

5. products that handcuff

6. decision-making process

7. “I have close friends and
we try to keep each
other on track.”
“Productivity apps can
help keep track of whether
I’ve done something, not
impel me to do it.”
“I stopped using
quantified-self products.”

8. cognitive design method
Reading &
Research
Experiment
Design
In-depth
Interviews
Design
Principles

9. willpower
{the faculty by which a person
decides on and initiates action}

10. the rational self vs. the tempted self
Kelly McGonigal, The Willpower Instinct

11. 1. outsource decisions
2

12. 2. identify impulses

13. insights
“Having to photograph
and record impulses
forced me to actualize
them as something
more serious.”
“Relying on only one
person’s response made
the situation stressful
because I felt like I was
putting too much
pressure on them.”

15. List-making to organize
and alternate between
low and high priority
tasks
A texting platform to record
and share progress, and
receive ImPulse buzz
reminders
1 2
prototype
List-making to organize
and alternate between
low and high priority
tasks
1
List-making to organize
and alternate between
low and high priority
tasks
A texting platform to record
and share progress, and
receive ImPulse buzz
reminders
A bracelet that delivers
electronic pulses to
increase mindfulness of
impulsive behaviors
1 2 3

16. v
Pulsing bracelet for single participant.
Records progress in texts to self.
Individual Group
Pulsing bracelet for each partner.
Records progress in texts to each other.
Mutual Support Group
Pulsing bracelet for participant;
1-2 plain bands for supporters.
Records progress in texts to supporters.
Solidarity Group
Pulsing bracelet for participant;
1-2 plain bands for supporters.
Records progress on social media.
Solidarity Group + Social Media
1
3 4
2
Experiment Conditionsexperimentconditions

17. scientific design elements
1 Pause-and-plan Response

18. scientific design elements
Pause-and-plan Response
List-making
1
2
11
2
1 Pause-and-plan Response

19. scientific design elements
1
2
3
Pause-and-plan Response
List-making
Daily Commitments
Pause-and-plan Response
List-making
1
2
1

20. scientific design elements
1
2
3
Pause-and-plan Response
List-making
Daily Commitments
1
2
3
4
Pause-and-plan Response
List-making
Daily Commitments
Productive Procrastination
3
Pause-and-plan Response
List-making
Daily Commitments
1
2
Pause-and-plan Response
List-making
1 Pause-and-plan Response

21. scientific design elements
1
2
3
4
5
Pause-and-plan Response
List-making
Daily Commitments
Productive Procrastination
Social Motivation
1
2
3
Pause-and-plan Response
List-making
Daily Commitments
1
2
3
4
Pause-and-plan Response
List-making
Daily Commitments
Productive Procrastination

22. HIGH WP
LOW WP
spectrum of willpowerpublic goalswillpower spectrum

23. v
public goals

24. v
public goals

25. v
Large Temptation
Individual
Partner
Solidarity
Solidarity +
Social
CONDITION
4.5
5.75
4
5
DAYS OF TASKS ACCOMPLISHED
Experiment Resultsexperimentresults

26. daily commitment

27. daily commitment
COMMITMENTS
ENVIRONMENT BREAKS
SOCIAL

28. distinct from my
other notifications
offers levels of
social sharing
accessible cues:
visual/audio/haptic
plans my goals
step-by-step
incorporates
breaks
cheerful &
forgiving tone
flexible for life’s
unpredictability
smart & knows
my schedule
designrecommendations

29. revised cognitive design method
Reading &
Research
Experiment
Design
In-depth
Interviews
Design
Principles

30. THANKYOU
Allison V. Leach Design Researcher
allisonvleach@gmail.com
//