Can I learn to stop Procrastinating? I dont think so

[Remiel]

Originally Posted by BlairL

I've been putting off reading these comments., but from the looks of what you have written:
1. I need to work out why I want to do this project (or dont, as the case may be)
2. I need to make a schedule
3. I need to just get started. Even a small bit. (that was in the articles too)

OK, so my project involves writing a report related to my work, that I can then use to promote my services.

I've never really done anything like this, so its a bit unclear what I need to do.
When I sit down to work on it, Im unsure where to start, its unpleasant because Im so unsure, and then I start checking mail etc to avoid it.

Can I suggest a simple solution? Work backwards.

I've been in your shoes. I get a project, its unclear and I don't know where to begin so I avoid it. A friend shared this technique with me and it has served me well.

What's the problem? What would be the ideal solution to that problem. Then keep working your way backwards until you have an actionable task. So to give a work related example I had to design a form that took input and put it into the database. I had written it up but got to a point where I didn't know what to do or where to go from there. So I asked myself what's the problem with this? I then said X isn't finished. What's the problem with X? Y needs to be done to solve X. What's wrong with Y? Z needs to be done to achieve Y which will then solve X. I then got to work working on something small, specific and meaningful that moved my project forward.

[JWebb38222]

Could it be that you don't want to promote your services because it will create more work? Or that you're afraid it will be revealed that you're not providing enough value? Or that it will cause you to realize that you're not on track with what you really want out of a career? Could it be that the report will cause changes in your career that you can't handle right now because of things you're working on in other areas of your life?

What are the thoughts that creep in just before you start checking e-mail and doing other things?

What will you have to endure once the report is finished?

The reason why I ask is because it's usually not very difficult for people to make an outline of how they contribute. It's part of being self-absorbed. We scrutinize ourselves more than other people do and we know our own point of view more than we know anybody else's.

I suspect that something deeper is causing you to avoid writing the report. When you find out what that deeper reason is, I would suggest some quiet time to face reality then set some easy goals to move you in the direction of solving those issues. Obviously the reports is not going to contribute to what you truly want or it would be done without a second thought.

[Angela]

Originally Posted by blairl

i've been putting off reading these comments..

You would, wouldn't you!

[osonda]

Originally Posted by BlairL

I've been putting off reading these comments., but from the looks of what you have written:
1. I need to work out why I want to do this project (or dont, as the case may be)
2. I need to make a schedule
3. I need to just get started. Even a small bit. (that was in the articles too)

We also told you to read books on the subject. I personally think that that was the most important bit of advice, and it's precisely what you seem to have missed.

Originally Posted by BlairL

When I sit down to work on it, Im unsure where to start, its unpleasant because Im so unsure, and then I start checking mail etc to avoid it.

I know the feeling. Sometimes figuring what the task is is a task larger than the task itself.

So make that part of the task. In fact, it may be most of the task. Once you have that figured out, the rest may be more mechanical and simple.

Take your time to figure it out. It may seem a simple, quick thing to do and so you may be unwilling to take the time it actually take to do it.

So, if the task is figuring what the task is, what can be done about it? Here are a few thoughts:

- see if you can find an example of a similar report done by someone else, and use it as a template;
- talk to someone else who has done it before and knows more than you do; ask them for a few hints, or answers to your questions, or even if they are willing to supervise you in the process.

You can also try to figure what to do from "first principles". What is the goal of the report? What is the audience? What are the main points I want to convey? What are the main take-home messages I want people to have? Can you make each of those a section? Can you spend time preparing an outline?

Also, write a deliberately crappy report first, promising yourself you are not going to let anyone see this version. After you write it, your are going to have a more concrete idea of how you can improve it.

[Chillax]

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.

[Parthon]

Chillax: is this your personal experiences? Some good advice there, but I promise that it won't apply to everyone.

Reading articles can help some people, like myself, and for others it's another form of procrastination. Procrastination is an avoidance technique, so it depends on why a person is avoiding that particular job. It could be a deep psychological issue, or it may not be. It could be a lack of self discipline, a fear of failure, a disgust at the project, a dislike of your boss, or anything really.

For myself, I procrastinate until PAST the deadline, then I don't have to do it at all. I find deadlines are just suggestions. If I don't work on something myself, then it probably won't ever get done on time. I just don't cram, and I don't do things at the last minute. Articles and discussions help me get refocused and back into the game, so to speak. Without them I wouldn't have known where to start in overcoming my own procrastination.

You were right about overcoming procrastination leading to better efficiency. It's really what this is all about, efficiency.

What it comes down to is doing what's important to you, instead of avoiding it for some reason. There's lots of reasons, but it's whether they are more important than actually getting the work done.

Watch the vid in Procrastination this topic. It opened up a whole new world of proactiveness for me.

[IntheHotSpot]

I agree, at some point you have to stop reading and start doing. Take the first step. Keep it simple.

You need to find out what really motivates you. Hopefully something you read will strike a chord eventually. Here's what works for me: Imagine you've been told you only have a year to live. Scary isn't it? And what's really sad is all those achieved dreams and goals. Make sure you do what you want to do in your life time. Start working on those dreams now. It works for me and I hope it'll work for you too. Sometimes fear can motivate you in a positive way.

Good luck with all your plans! Annabel