The real reason I procrastinate is because I hate my life, and I'd be better off dead.
Research into the reasons for procrastination and how to stop
21–30 of 101 posts
Re: Research into the reasons for procrastination and how to stop
#222 ways to deal with procrastination: 1. Don't worry about it. We all procrastinate and most of the time it works out OK. Our instincts know what they're doing. 2. Break tough tasks down into very, very laughably small tasks. Don't even worry about doing them. Once the first task in the list is small enough you'll think "sod it" and do it right away. If you try to improve your self control you will fail. Go with the g…
pomodoro is a great technique. its similar to #2
+1 whenever I really need to get stuff done at work (and particularly helpful when working from home), I split my time into pomodoros. 25 minutes is a short enough time I can fully concentrate, but long enough to actually get a great deal of "knowledge worker" work done.
Re: Research into the reasons for procrastination and how to stop
#23Earlier quoted context omitted.
I didn't even click the article (the pain of reading it seemed too large) so I came directly to the comments. Awesome tips! "Our instincts know what they're doing" is very true. I tend to procrastinate when two conditions are fulfilled 1) the task is boring/painful, and 2) in the back of my mind, I've already calculated out the time and I can afford to push it until later. Trying to force myself just increases my exp…
Isn't procrastination a way of converting painfully boring tasks into fun adrenaline rushes? It seems like a pretty good evolutionary adaption: I perform better when all my senses are elevated, so why not? Problem arises when you don't have a hard deadline (I.e., you are only accountable to yourself).
Adrenaline junkies injecting excitement into boring tasks makes a lot of intuitive sense for some of my own selectively chronic procrastination.
Re: Research into the reasons for procrastination and how to stop
#24This is more or less a copy of http://waitbutwhy.com/2015/03/procrastination-matrix.html . I recommend reading that instead.
He also did a funny TED talk on the topic. At just 14 minutes, it may be more manageable than a lengthy article. http://waitbutwhy.com/2016/03/my-ted-talk.html
And a great thing to put the next 14 minutes into if you're struggling for procrastination ideas. :)
Re: Research into the reasons for procrastination and how to stop
#25I try to say this whenever the subject comes up, procrastination is a form of anxiety and is a real mental health issue. You should talk to a professional about it if it's affecting your life.
Re: Research into the reasons for procrastination and how to stop
#26How I get work done on my side project:
- Make a trello list of tasks
- Make sure I always do at least one task a day
The first task I do is usually very small but I find that I usually get on a roll once I have entered 'the zone' and end up getting a lot done.
EDIT: Formatting
Re: Research into the reasons for procrastination and how to stop
#27This is more or less a copy of http://waitbutwhy.com/2015/03/procrastination-matrix.html . I recommend reading that instead.
Yes, I felt uncomfortable with how much this just re-used his article.
"How to hit your article deadlines: Copy another article and use it as your own."
Yes, they provide references, but it's still just a rehash.
Re: Research into the reasons for procrastination and how to stop
#28The real reason I procrastinate is because I hate my life, and I'd be better off dead.
Well. How do we deal with that ? Procrastination is a symptom for many different things. Depression being one of the worst of them.
How do we differentiate healthy procrastination from fear or depressive thoughts pattern ?
Re: Research into the reasons for procrastination and how to stop
#29I like the procrastinator's matrix:
https://img.washingtonpost.com/wp-apps/imrs.php?src=https://...
Will print it and stick to my wall... Next time when I need to procrastinate.
Re: Research into the reasons for procrastination and how to stop
#30I would have to say that my problem has more to do with too many easily available distractions, instead of procrastination. I made a point that while at work my browser was never used for anything except work and email was only to be read and answered at specific points during the day, and sometimes only at the end of the day. In addition, I discouraged anyone from sending me personal email to my work address so any personal items were addressed when I got home. All of this seemed to cure my "procrastination" problem.