Temptation▼ Bundling▼: A New Tool in the Fight against Procrastination▼ 打擊拖延症！「誘惑綑綁」不容你拖拖拉拉 Psychologists▼ have recently come up with a new way to get people to stop procrastinating▼. 心理學家最近想出了一個讓人們停止拖延的新方法。
The carrot and stick method was long thought to be the best way to beat procrastination. When you complete a boring task or a really difficult assignment, you give yourself a reward like a big bowl of ice cream. Most of the time, however, this doesn't work because people simply reward themselves first and don't finish the task. Now, there is a new method to get people to do things on time called temptation bundling.
Simply put, temptation bundling is combining something you love with a task you don't want to do into one activity. For instance, you could encourage yourself to go to the gym by only allowing yourself to watch your favorite TV show when you are there. Or, you could make it your policy to only go to your favorite cafe when you need to study. This gives you a reason to not procrastinate, and it can eventually help you turn a hated activity into something you love. You may look forward to going to the gym because you can't wait to see the next episode▼ of your favorite show, or you might study harder while sipping a latte. Instead of running away from your duties, give temptation bundling a try.
▼temptation n. 誘惑，引誘 ▼bundle vt. 捆綁銷售，搭售；綑 ▼procrastination n. 拖延，耽擱（正式用語） ▼psychologist n. 心理學家 ▼procrastinate vi. 拖延，耽擱（正式用語） ▼episode n.（連載節目中的）一集
1. assignment n. 任務；作業
Our assignment in the class is to make a 20-minute presentation.
我們這堂課的作業就是上臺做二十分鐘的報告。
* presentation n. 報告；介紹
2. reward n. 獎賞，報酬 & vt. 獎勵，酬謝
Julie gave John a handwritten thank-you card as a reward for his help.
茱莉送約翰一張手寫感謝卡來作為對他協助的回報。
Parents should reward their kids with hugs and kisses instead of candy.
父母應該以擁抱和親吻、而不是用糖果來獎勵孩子。
3. simply adv. 僅僅，只是
You can't solve this problem by simply applying common sense.
只靠常識是無法解決這個問題的。
* common sense n. 常識
4. combine A with B 結合 A 與 B；同時做 A 與 B；兼具 A 與 B
Combining a healthy diet with daily exercise is a good way to stay fit.
結合健康飲食和每天運動是保持健美的好方法。
5. policy n.（處事的）原則，策略
It's against our policy to let you open the wrapper of this magazine before you buy it.
讓您在購買前打開這本雜誌的包裝有違我們公司的規定。
* wrapper n.（貨物的）包裝紙
6. hated a. 令人憎惡的，討厭的
Doing the dishes is Jack's most hated household chore.
洗碗是傑克最討厭的家事。
7. look forward to V-ing/N （興奮地）期待／盼望（做）某事
Marty is looking forward to his trip to Japan next month.
馬蒂很期待下個月的日本之旅。
8. sip vt. & vi. 啜飲
Beryl enjoys sipping tea in the yard with her friends in the afternoon.
貝瑞兒喜歡與朋友一起在午後的院子裡品茶。
胡蘿蔔與棍子
本文 "The carrot and stick method was long thought to be the best way to beat procrastination." 中的 carrot and stick 表「威逼利誘，胡蘿蔔加棍子」，是一種以獎勵（胡蘿蔔）與懲罰（棍子伺候）同時進行的一種策略，即使用軟硬兼施的手段使人屈服。carrot 本義為「胡蘿蔔」，常被引申為「（為使某人做某事而給予的）報酬，好處」。例：
When dealing with North Korea, the US tries to take a carrot and stick approach.
（在處理北韓問題時，美國試圖使用軟硬兼施的方法。）
Patrick refused to work on holidays despite the carrot of receiving double pay.
（儘管可以得到雙倍薪水的報酬，派翠克仍拒絕上假日班。）
