Ack, I broke my pattern

[ArtVandelay]

Hey guys. I realized a couple of days ago that I was being really unproductive. I was staying up late wasting my time, and then getting up too late having wasted half the day. So I took Steve's advice, set a standard "wakeup time" at 9am, and started going to bed at a reasonable hour to deal with that. I would wake up, work out in the morning, take a shower, make myself some food, etc.

Well, this lasted for two days before I stayed up until 3:30am last night and then didn't force myself to get out of bed until noon today. I'm going to try to get "back on the wagon" so to speak tonight and tomorrow morning, but now I'm in a weird state. I feel like because I've already wasted part of the day like I have permission to waste all of it. I'm going to go make myself lunch soon and doing something like that instead of just browsing the internet will hopefully be enough to get me back into gear, BUT I was wondering if anybody had any advice on how they deal with situations like this.

What is the proper reaction to messing up part of my routine? How do I stop it from ruining the entire day, or breaking my routine in future days? Should I just pretend it didn't happen? Should I try to compensate somewhat? Should I punish myself to build discipline?

Thanks guys!

EDIT: To add onto this, I also forgot to write an entry in my productivity journal last night. This is something really simple that takes like 10 minutes at the most. But I just decided "**** it it's late and I'm tired and going to bed." Should I make an entry now? Or leave it blank?

Anyway this all contributes to make me feel like I failed and can't impose basic discipline on myself. This isn't a major self-esteem issue I'm having, just a transient feeling for the moment, but I think it's what's contributing to me not feeling like doing anything right now.

[spacecadetglow]

Hey Art, first of all, cut yourself some slack. Are you trying to do too much at once? I mean, going from waking up at noon to waking up at 9 is a large jump. Maybe try setting smaller goals that are easier to reach and then build up instead of trying to do it all at once.

Nothing complicated about it, just hop right back on that wagon and DO something productive!

[ArtVandelay]

@(#$*&

I just did it again. Didn't get up until 11 today, and now I'm just sitting around doing nothing.

I think I must be going to bed too late, because I am waking up EXHAUSTED at 9 and just can't justify getting up in that state when I know I can sleep for a few more hours without serious problems.

[spacecadetglow]

Originally Posted by ArtVandelay

@(#$*&

I just did it again. Didn't get up until 11 today, and now I'm just sitting around doing nothing.

I think I must be going to bed too late, because I am waking up EXHAUSTED at 9 and just can't justify getting up in that state when I know I can sleep for a few more hours without serious problems.

Yeah man, get enough sleep. Just get on with your day and accomplish what you can. You'll feel loads better if you just make yourself get up and do it. Sounds like you know this, yet you choose to sit here and beat yourself up anyway lol. Love to you, friend!

[ArtVandelay]

Originally Posted by spacecadetglow

Yeah man, get enough sleep. Just get on with your day and accomplish what you can. You'll feel loads better if you just make yourself get up and do it. Sounds like you know this, yet you choose to sit here and beat yourself up anyway lol. Love to you, friend!

I'm okay now... need to meet someone at 2:30 and so I'm doing all the stuff I need to do before leaving for that now. Whenever I have something I have to do I can always get myself there in time. The problem is that I can't get myself to be disciplined at all when I don't have some sort of imminent appointment hanging over my head.

[Matthew Cluff]

Originally Posted by ArtVandelay

I'm okay now... need to meet someone at 2:30 and so I'm doing all the stuff I need to do before leaving for that now. Whenever I have something I have to do I can always get myself there in time. The problem is that I can't get myself to be disciplined at all when I don't have some sort of imminent appointment hanging over my head.

My recommendation is this: start planning out your days.

There are a few different ways you can do this.

First, you can create a timetable for the activities you plan on doing. For example, if you set your alarm for 8:00, then plan from 8:00-8:30 to have breakfast and shower. Then plan out the next activity for the next block of time that you choose. Make sure you give yourself a reasonable amount of time to complete each task when you create the daily timetable, but don't give yourself an abundance of time to get it done (or else you will be unproductive). Before bed every night, create a plan for your day for the next day.

I'd highly recommend you follow this suggestion because then you'll would be creating a solid plan for your day. Just as when you have appointments and other, outer commitments, you will have the same feeling of having to "do this" and "get this done" by certain points in time throughout your day.

Another thing you could do is this: write down a list of the most important things you need to get done each day. Prioritize your activities: write down the most important thing you need to get done all the way down to the least important. Try to create about six things per day. When you have the "free time" where you aren't bound to other commitments (eg. appointments), then start with the activity of the highest priority. Don't think about #2 until you finish #1. Then, when you do finish, start #2. Don't think about #3 until you're finish #2 and don't backtrack to thinking about #1 either. Stick with one thing until you get it done.

Creating a plan will help force you to stick with it. For example, if I had the intention of going to the gym today to work out, sure, I'd probably be able to think of an excuse not to go and then I'd ultimately not go! BUT, if I had an appointment with a personal trainer, then I'd make sure I'd go and show up on-time.

Appointments and dates with other people can ensure your accountability. Possible think of finding an "accountability buddy" so that you can ensure each other's progress and productiveness throughout each day. You'll get done more, s/he'll get done more, and you'll be keeping in regular contact and developing a friendly relationship with each other. It's a win-win-win.

Creating a plan is like creating an appointment with yourself. If you want to get things done, create a plan, and then follow it. Use your will-power to train your habitual self to start being productive. By creating plans and following them, it's also easy to be able to look back and see the incredible amount of things you've accomplished.

To Your Success,
Matthew Cluff