Procrastination-a different approach

[angelairene]

I read Simons technique on procrastination and it is a good practice to be sure, but how many people are willing to do this much work? The whole basis behind procrastination is avoidance. and the reason it becomes such a problem is that we think we are putting it out of our minds, but in fact it becomes huge in our heads and gnaws away at us.

I find the best way to deal with procrastination is to put my attention on it in a good light and I try not to be so hard on myself.
When ever i find myself procrastinating something, first I acknowledge that that's what I'm doing and I allow myself.

Second, I visualize myself doing it, and I go a step further and I see myself having fun doing it.

I estimate how much time it will really take me, and after thinking about it, it usually seems much simpler than I was making it out to be.

I have faith that the perfect opportunity will come when I have just the right amount of time and motivation to get it done.

Everytime I think about it "Man, I really should be doing this but..." I just take a second and see myself doing it and having fun.

This is so quick and simple and it seems to work everytime. Within a couple of days (sometimes hours) I've gotten it done.

Another thing I do is to acknowledge what I'm doing instead of the thing I am procrastinating.
9 times out of 10, if I have something important I am putting off, I will find so many other things that need to be done, things that wouldnt otherwise get done if I werent trying so hard not to do the other thing.
I give myself a pat on the back for at least getting something accomplished and then I do the first technique.

Peace
Angie

[Andrew Brunelle]

This is a good approah to procrastination. I guess just giving what you believe will be some arduous task a positive spin, and imagine yourself having fun would definitely work and be a great shortcut to finally getting those things done. I'm sure there are plenty of books that cover how to get things done, but none to really look at why someone does not want to immediately do those things in the first place. Sure, it's great to get things done you don't want to do, but if you really don't want to do them, then why do them?

I know there are some things you have to do that you would much rather not do. Taxes is one of them for me. Perhaps staying present throughout the supposed unpleasurable experience would be yet another way to get it done without dismay.

[angelairene]

Originally Posted by Andrew Brunelle

This is a good approah to procrastination. I guess just giving what you believe will be some arduous task a positive spin, and imagine yourself having fun would definitely work and be a great shortcut to finally getting those things done. I'm sure there are plenty of books that cover how to get things done, but none to really look at why someone does not want to immediately do those things in the first place. Sure, it's great to get things done you don't want to do, but if you really don't want to do them, then why do them?

I know there are some things you have to do that you would much rather not do. Taxes is one of them for me. Perhaps staying present throughout the supposed unpleasurable experience would be yet another way to get it done without dismay.

Ok, so its something I really dont want to do, like pay bills. I guess I would focus on how good it will feel to get it done. But what's the harm in pretending that you would enjoy it? Its just a visualization. And I find that after doing this exercise I do enjoy it.
But lets face it, paying bills is never fun, but you can see yourself with a lot of confidence and responsibility and there is a certain joy in doing the right thing. But if what you really want is to go out and buy new shoes, then I would buy the new shoes and visualize having just the right amount to pay the bills, even when you know you dont have it.