Hi. I’ve had some problems with personal development that I'm going to work on for the next couple of months; I've attempted three 30 day challenges but I think I need your insight because I think this path could be longer and harder than I thought and I don't think I can do this alone :[
My procrastination habit causes problems in my life. I delay things that make me feel uncomfortable (either it's not clear, or I succumb to self-doubt). I guess if the task at hand is not immediately solvable, or if the solution is not in sight when I first begin the task, I get nervous and doubt my ability to do it. I'm not very patient either. I don’t like to commit to something either because it feels like I'm trapping myself and depriving myself, and would rather choose instant gratification. If I have a choice between completing an important task, and going on an internet forum/youtube, I’ll choose the latter. I think I need to develop my self-discipline further…I’m not exactly sure how, though, or where to start.
My procrastination problem worsened during my senior year of high school (I'm a college freshman). It's gotten to the point where I start so late, that it doesn't get done altogether. I don't complete tasks early anymore. I lose a lot of time through my forum /youtube/facebook/videogames addiction. I’ve gone from the type of person who gets things done to someone who doesn’t try to fix something until it’s far too late. I don’t devote enough time to my own personal growth; My time is spent on procrastination and school work.
I'm also a very negative person when it comes to myself. It doesn't appear in conversation or when I'm in your company. I joke around, generally have a good time, but I have low self-esteem. This comes from my experiences at school, with my friends, and with my siblings. I was teased a lot growing up, and instead of standing up for myself, I generally played along. It wasn't until I got to college that I realized that things didn’t have to be that way. =]
I have trouble with follow-through. I’ve tried combating my procrastination habit through keeping a prioritized to do list, but I don’t stick to it or execute the items on it. I’ve tried goal setting, but I don’t think that I’ve done it properly. I don’t think that I commit to things because I have trouble following through on something one hundred percent. I generally have the attitude that if I can do it later, I will. Doing things early feels unnatural. I don’t fully commit to making the change, so I guess nothing happens. I’m distracted easily, but I joined so that these habits don’t stay. I think I may be trying to change too much at once
Anyway, I came here looking for some support when it comes to personal development and to be amongst people who could help keep me on this path. I’m also here for constructive criticism =]
So I guess my questions would be:
How do I start?
I'm thinking of going on a 30 day challenge where I stay away from forums, youtube, videogames, and just check my facebook for 10 min a day at a specific time. (Maybe spend only 20 min. a day on this forum just focusing on this topic?)
How do I develop my time management skills? I'm thinking of spending my time focusing on developing my patience and ability to follow-through through keeping a prioritized to-do list:
To-Do Lists from Mind Tools - Learn how to plan your time intelligently. FREE template!. I'd write it at 10:30PM. and through goal setting.
How do I set goals? Do I make a list of goals that I would like to accomplish and then plan completely, 1 goal at a time, or do I make a general statement and then use the SMART model?
How do I increase my self-esteem? As for my self-esteem, I think I'll keep my focus off of dating and any possible relationship prospect and look at why I'm so negative about myself. I like to write, so maybe I could spend more time writing and get other hobbies.
How do I balance keeping a to-do list, goal setting, and avoiding forums/videogames/etc? It feels like I'd be attempting three 30 day challenges at once, and I feel intimidated.
Thanks for your time and help
