[Stephen]

Originally Posted by crazlunatic

My problem is that I seem to do what I want rather than what I need. This is rather weird because I used to be the exact opposite, then I was so overwhelemed with stress that one day, I decided to do what I wanted that entire day. For some reason, that became days, then weeks, and now its a habit.

I go to school, so what I "need" to do is pretty straight forward. I really don't need a to-do list because as soon as I'm done something, there's always another assignment waiting for me to be completed. My problem is that I can't seem to concentrate and will drift of. If I manage to eliminate my distraction, I'll work very unproductively because at the back of my mind, I know I could be doing something else or should be doing something else. For example, I have A and B to do. I have to do B (piano practice) because lessons are at 4 on Sunday and are expensive. But I know I have homework to do because I have due dates, but I can't do them because piano seems to be the most important thing. This is just an example, but almost every week, I face several situations like this and it's really taking a toll on me.

I know that other student's have gained academic success because they had no distractions. They were able to do their required tasks 100 percent without wanting or thinking about anything else. But for someone like me who can always find something to do, it is difficult. Can you guys help me out?

Help you out?

Yes.

If you read Positive and Negative Liberty (Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy)

Isaiah Berlin's Positive Negative freedom it will become clear to you what in essence you are fighting.

Its worth the read and the education about life