tykira Posted November 7, 2010 Posted November 7, 2010 I know everybody has it. Any thoughts or ideas on how to overcome it? Any routines you follow that help keep you on track? etc.
josie54 Posted November 8, 2010 Posted November 8, 2010 I just posted this on Pyro's thread on "Motivation," but it applies to your question too, so I thought I'd repost it here! This is what helps me: From Pyro's thread: You and I share the same problem--I had it in college, and I have it now, and I'm a writer who works on deadline! I'm always working all night for nights in a row to get stuff done on time that would have been easily done if I'd worked on it a mere 30 minutes day before time got so short. I get particularly motivated as I approach deadline because having a job is good--wouldn't want to lose it. But the prospect of unemployment doesn't motivate me as strongly when I have five weeks left to write an article as it does when I only have two days left. Go figure. I'm still working on this problem. BUT what works best for me is a $5 digital timer you pick up at any store. I don't know why, but I've always been a "watch the numbers" person--I like to see how long I work out, or how many miles I drive. So I set the time for that wonderful 30 minutes and say, as long as that timer is on, I'll work on what I need to get done . When it stops, I stop. It's a variation of what the person said earlier about doing something for only five minutes. That alone doesn't work well for me, because I KNOW that I have to do it longer than five minutes, so I can't trick myself. But 30 minutes is a reasonable about of time--enough to get started on whatever project I'm working on. And when the timer goes off, I take a break, and if I feel like it, I set it for another 30. If I'm feeling particularly ambitious, I'll set it for 45. That way, I know I'll do at least some quality work, but it's still time-limited. I don't tell myself "I have to write that article" because I don't WANT to write the article. That article is going to be a whole lot of work. That's why I'm procrastinating--I don't want to do it! Instead, I tell myself, "I'm going to work for 30 minutes." It's a different kind of goal that seems separate from the task I'm putting off, and less intimidating, even though I'll still be working on that task. Does that make sense? Maybe not! But anyway, the timer is the best way I've found to help me to overcome my procrastinating ways. It doesn't solve it compeltely, because I still have to make myself set the timer! But that's a smaller obstacle to overcome than "writing an article" would be.
Trinity2 Posted November 8, 2010 Posted November 8, 2010 I know everybody has it. Any thoughts or ideas on how to overcome it? Any routines you follow that help keep you on track? etc. I do the tasks I hate, or would have the tendancy to procrastinate with first to get them out of the way:D
tb24 Posted November 12, 2010 Posted November 12, 2010 I know everybody has it. Any thoughts or ideas on how to overcome it? Any routines you follow that help keep you on track? etc. I do. I'll tell you about it some other time.
Feelin Frisky Posted November 12, 2010 Posted November 12, 2010 Substances can cause procrastinations. People have image issues based upon food and weight issues. People have big procrastination issues from smoking weed and drinking. If one attains an image he or she is happy with, then it's important to keep it in form and keep it visible by taking social risks. Substances give a person excuses to not do something "right now". And "right now" is all we can be sure of getting.
skydiveaddict Posted November 13, 2010 Posted November 13, 2010 I know everybody has it. Any thoughts or ideas on how to overcome it? Any routines you follow that help keep you on track? etc. The military cured me of it. No joke. I was literally forced out of my procrastination. That's what it took for me. I know how much of a problem it can become.
You Go Girl Posted November 13, 2010 Posted November 13, 2010 Substances can cause procrastinations. People have image issues based upon food and weight issues. People have big procrastination issues from smoking weed and drinking. If one attains an image he or she is happy with, then it's important to keep it in form and keep it visible by taking social risks. Substances give a person excuses to not do something "right now". And "right now" is all we can be sure of getting. What if I'm a master procrastinator yet abuse no substances? PROCRASTINATE NOW! My mantra. There's irony in there, somewhere.
Author tykira Posted November 13, 2010 Author Posted November 13, 2010 The military cured me of it. No joke. I was literally forced out of my procrastination. That's what it took for me. I know how much of a problem it can become. Sounds definitely true! but my parents would never allow it for me xD
Author tykira Posted November 13, 2010 Author Posted November 13, 2010 I do the tasks I hate, or would have the tendancy to procrastinate with first to get them out of the way:D Hmm, xP that's the hard part. I would need some kind of reward afterward or treat to help me get started on a task I don't like.
Author tykira Posted November 13, 2010 Author Posted November 13, 2010 Substances can cause procrastinations. People have image issues based upon food and weight issues. People have big procrastination issues from smoking weed and drinking. If one attains an image he or she is happy with, then it's important to keep it in form and keep it visible by taking social risks. Substances give a person excuses to not do something "right now". And "right now" is all we can be sure of getting. So...if I picture an image of myself being happy after accomplishing my tasks, then I need to take social risks in order to keep it visual. Substances are like distractions that get in the way of making that image in my head a reality. Is that right? :-)
Author tykira Posted November 13, 2010 Author Posted November 13, 2010 What if I'm a master procrastinator yet abuse no substances? PROCRASTINATE NOW! My mantra. There's irony in there, somewhere. That might be a little risky for me right now, especially with my school term ending soon xD LOL
Feelin Frisky Posted November 13, 2010 Posted November 13, 2010 (edited) So...if I picture an image of myself being happy after accomplishing my tasks, then I need to take social risks in order to keep it visual. Substances are like distractions that get in the way of making that image in my head a reality. Is that right? :-) Not what I meant. Perhaps what I said doesn't apply to you--you may not have image issues or be under or over-weight and you may not use substances. My post just identified some things that a lot of people procrastinate over--not the least of whom is my damn self. BTW, "social risks" was intended to mean if one works on getting her body and dress the way she thinks she should look, what will keep prompting her to stay in form is coming out, being seen, asserting the self in social situations. In other words, people who have image issues and overcome them should probably not rest on the laurels--staying socially visible is a feedback mechanism to help keep one progressing. Edited November 13, 2010 by Feelin Frisky
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