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Originally Posted by BlairL  Hi, Im new to this forum.
I have a HUGE problem with procrastination. I have this project I should be working on, and I just cant bring myself to do it. I am surfing news, checking blogs, looking for stuff on youtube, anything but the project. It pains me to start this project, even though I know its good for me.
I read Steve Pavlina's article on Procrastination: Overcoming Procrastination by Steve Pavlina
And these articles: The Solution to Procrastinating | The Kaizan Blog Structured Procrastination
But it all seems like theory. Does anyone have any proof that these things work? Has anyone used these recommendations and gotten over procrastination? |
Personally I don't think reading articles on how to deal w/ procrastination will help, the issue is a deep psychological thing you have to face on your own.
However, here's my $.02
First off, you realize you WILL begin working on this project when the deadline becomes dangerously near (ie the night before) or it's late.
Now, why is that? The reason is because at that point, you have NO CHOICE, when it's due the next day, you don't need motivation, you are working by FEAR.
So when you have plenty of time to work on it, why don't you? Cause there's no fear, no reason strong enough.
Furthermore, you've developed a habit of waiting till the last second to get things done, doing work ahead of the deadline is not normal for you, AND THIS IS THE KEY.
Why do you feel resistance to do the work? Because you are starting to go above your standards and on to a higher level. You are moving away from fear and more towards efficiency.
Once you realize this, you will understand that the procrastination is just a barrier to get to the next level of effectiveness. It's almost a good thing that you feel it because it shows you are about to go above and beyond what you are used to, the feeling of procrastination is just your mind pulling you back to where you normally are.
Once you break free, you'll be at a whole new level. Coming to this realization helped me, maybe you can get something out of it too.
Always try and get work done as soon as you can, not when someone else says so, set your own standards and you'll get far in life. Working by your own standards is always harder.
Perfect example, the night before a major exam in college, most people are studying their ass off, it's not cause they are motivated to succeed, they are just desperate to survive. Set your own deadlines and treat them more seriously than the actual ones, always work harder for yourself.
Do things because they are important to you, not so that you can avoid the consequences of not doing them. I could go on forever but I think that get's the point across.