Hi, I'm new to this board but not to procrastination. Trying really hard in various ways to consistently address it as I see it as a major source of unhappiness in my life. I think it's the case that I procrastinate on anything I think I "should" do and anything that I find overwhelming/anxiety provoking. I have found that when I consciously remind myself that the thing I "should" do is actually something that I have chosen/am choosing to do, it really helps. And if, for the overwhelming task, I identify the very next physical action (a la David Allen & Getting Things Done), it makes it much easier for me to do that thing and then to do the next little piece, etc. However, I do not implement these strategies consistently. In fact, I'll procrastinate for days (as I did for the last five) before trying these strategies. Sometimes I don't think of them. Sometimes I do think of them but just will not do them. Anyone have any suggestions (other than just forcing yourself to do it-which I know is obvious but somehow doesn't seem to work with me) for consistently implementing helpful strategies?
Many thanks,
Mollie
Maybe too late....
for consistent implementation of strategies, put reminders about them anywhere you can. Posters on the wall, post it notes behind the glass covering of your table, on refrigerator.
Motivaider for one, is a cool tool to help impress habits.
Hi Mollie,
I have the same problems and wish I knew what I could do to consistently address the problem. I have tried so many things that I get anxious just thinking of how I could summarize them all. I suppose that the only thing all of my attempts have in common is that any success I had was short-lived. I HONESTLY don't know why.
I feel like I shoot my own self in the foot. I miss out on so much because I won't let myself do the "bigger" fun things (like going to get the massage my boys bought for me for Mother's Day LAST year) until I get “done” (which I never do), although I can easily get sidetracked by articles about global warming or funny, You Tube videos...
A lot of the problem stems for my feeling overwhelmed by work, personal and family issues. I describe this feeling in several ways - as me trying to remove a huge landslide with a trowel; or trying to put out a series of fires, only to have one reignite as I douse another; or working to keep a couple of dozen plates spinning… So it makes sense that I will grab a few minutes of pleasure here and there, when I can.
But many of the “plans” I’ve tried to implement have had “built in” reinforcement – a half an hour off after three hours of work, the reward of getting small groups of things accomplished, etc., but that hasn’t seemed to help a great deal. I experience this eternal inertia, always pulling me back into failure.
I watch myself do the same things over and over and feel ashamed! And I can’t figure out why I do it or how I can stop. =( Does this sound at all familiar to you?
Glenna
Overwhelm....I have been there. But my situation and solution was a bit specific so I don't think it would work for everyone (I took a day off here and half a day off there, despite deadlines approaching).
Try to take the reward first, the work to follow right after the reward (make that a commitment).
Try some relaxation methods, if that works for you (works for me).
Thanks, again, Thomas. Your comment, "Try to take the reward first, the work to follow right after the reward" made so much sense that I've actually gone out twice this week, once to dinner and a movie with my boys for Mother's Day (after I initally was opting for a video and pizza delivery
and to a old friend's for an evening. I bought my laptop with me on this second trip, but at least I got out! =D