[surgngnl]

i am so spaced out here at work all the time now! i hate it! i find myself just cruising the internet, staring off into space, procrastinating all the time, jumping from one project to another. i haven't always been like this. maybe the last 6 months. what on earth is going on with me? has this happened to anyone else? how do i handle it and get back to work??!! argh!

[schrodinga]

I've suffered similar lack of motivation. It first occurred when I was in a job I really disliked, I would distract myself by surfing the net or chatting in the office and I struggled to get into my work. I was unhappy, demoralized and doing a poor job to boot. It eventually got so bad I had to switch jobs.

When I found another (better) job I threw myself into that. But I again get periods where I revert back to staring into space and surfing. Now see the signs and try to tackle them head on, rather than let it get so bad again. Normally these periods are after I've worked flat out and I find taking a few days off can help. If that fails I try to identify the cause, asking myself - am I just procrastinating? am I truly unhappy? is this just a blip or a serious low?

You've spotted the symptoms, you need to identify the problem. Don't let it go on too long, as it can be hard to pull yourself out of a deep rut. But don't be too hard on yourself, it may just be that you need some down time.

[allina]

Easy, unless you've completed all your work and nothing more is needed from you don't cruise the internet on company time. I'd fire you

[NotKelly]

Not everyone works in a company where Internet use is frowned on... I work at a college and everyone surfs the net all the time. My work involves using stuff on websites so it's awfully hard to NOT surf when my mind drifts.

however, that doesn't mean it can't be counterproductive.

My advice: Set 15 minute limits to everything you do -- work or surf. And start on this regimen the minute you sit down at your desk in the morning. The clock strikes 9:00 - drop what you are doing and work on at least ONE thing for a few minutes. Then do what you want (surf?) until 9:14. From 9:14 to 9:15, do nothing but look at a blank screen. That's because you're going to do nothing - no work, no surf - and plan what bit of work you will pick up at 9:15.

If you should happen to work on a task for 15 full minutes... STOP. You now get 15 minutes "off."

Soon you will find yourself absorbed in full 15 minute tasks more often and less drifting and distracted. But in any case, if you keep to this regimen for as long as you can each day, you won't feel so guilty at the end of the day and you will have a handle on more of your work.

Good luck

[HokeyReligions]

There've been times I just didn't want to work too, but I make myself do something that has to be done and can be completed quickly - even if its just making some new files for myself or reorganizing my desk in preparation for work that needs to be done. If I were tempted to surf the net I get off the computer and do something else.

If I found one of my employees constantly surfing during work time they would get a warning; if it happened again they would see an EAP counselor if they needed help to get focused and a third time they would be out the door. We keep track of internet use at my company. I'm surprised the schools don't. No wonder our school taxes are so high if staff surfs the Internet all the time and can't find something to do in between assigned tasks!