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Procrastination is about managing emotions, not time

bbc.com

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Re: Procrastination is about managing emotions, not time

#111

Post by kirkby »

pmoriarty wrote: post #72

Tim Pychyl, who's ideas this article discusses, goes in to these ideas much more deeply in a really fantastic video here: [1] I've watched a ton of videos on procrastination, and read a lot about it, and this video is head and shoulders above everything else. Highly recommended. He also has the iProcrastinate Podcast[2], which also has some useful and interesting episodes. [1] - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhFQA9…

He also wrote an easily readable book on the subject called "The Procrastination Puzzle".

Re: Procrastination is about managing emotions, not time

#112

Post by rocgf »

neuronic wrote: post #75
trianglem wrote: post #62

Earlier quoted context omitted.

>to feel something This is a phrase I hear in American discourse a lot. What does it mean?

The question is a bit odd if you are human, but let me explain this in short terms. Modern lifestyle has stripped many of us of essential, real problems. By far not all, of course, but definitely the generally well-paid IT crowd on HN. So instead of hustling to survive like a maid in 1929 Berlin (I am watching Babylon Berlin right now) what's left over are luxury problems, especially if you're in the double income no…

Holy crap, reading this is creepy since I don't think there's anything to add or subtract that could make it more fitting for myself. I've been feeling like this for a few years now, yet I could never articulate it as well as you have.

I make about 3 times what a regular developer makes in the UK and, when I got this job, I felt like I 'made it'. That was very short-lived, as I succumbed to the meaninglessness you describe. Don't get me wrong, I love not being worried about money as much, but something just doesn't feel right. Like, is this it?

Working on side projects feels maybe a bit shallow as well. I will probably not be advancing humanity in any way, not to mention that even making any revenue from them is relatively far-fetched, despite what IndieHackers might suggest. Therefore, I am stuck between working all day long for the unlikely chance that I might 'get rich' with some startup (and then what?) or slide into the comfort of gaming/hobbies/relaxing. Both have pros and cons, both take something from you, be it stress or time wasting. Life is hard.

Re: Procrastination is about managing emotions, not time

#113

Post by Brave-Steak »

mettamage wrote: post #47

Yesterday I had a bit of a talk with myself about my behavior pertaining to procrastination. I am addicted to: - YouTube - Gaming Worse, I have quite a runway due to low living expenses. I came with a new idea today, I hope it helps anyone else. I need to get good at generating my own feelings. This is why I play games and watch videos. I do it to feel something. In order to do that I need to stay as close as to the…

I've made a similar realization recently. It seems that I've built a life around consumption. Watching TV series, movies, playing games. I think we're not made for this. There's nothing there to really push us to grow as a person (especially if it's all we do), thus the emptiness (and often loneliness). I've thought about how to restructure my life into one of production instead of consumption, but it's difficult (to find what to produce, and then to get started) and takes so much more effort than passively consuming whatever media teams of people spent weeks/months/years creating.

Re: Procrastination is about managing emotions, not time

#115

Post by nabla9 »

moneywoes wrote: post #57

Where do I begin to solve this problem?

There are some tricks.

Instead of trying to force yourself to do the thing, refuse to do anything else. Instead of replacing activity with another, just sit still either eyes closed or looking at a wall or desk (not a screen or anything entertaining). Only replacement activity should be no activity, pure boredom. Don't judge yourself and don't feel quilt. If you are stubborn with this, you may notice that you start doing the thing as an impulse without seeing the decision to act coming. Somehow the motivation is there but your constant emotional monitoring is blocking it.

If you start to procrastinate with the procrastination avoidance, all hope is lost.

Re: Procrastination is about managing emotions, not time

#116

Post by EndXA »

If anyone wants to learn more about this topic, I wrote an extensive overview of specific reasons why people procrastinate: https://solvingprocrastination.com/why-people-procrastinate/

It covers all of the most common reasons for procrastination, such as abstract goals, a disconnect from the future self, anxiety, task aversion, perfectionism, and fear of failure.

In addition, there's a comprehensive follow-up article, which explains how you can use this information in order to overcome your procrastination: https://solvingprocrastination.com/how-to-stop-procrastinati...

It describes a system you can use for overcoming procrastination, as well as various specific techniques you can implement, such as breaking large tasks into actionable pieces, scheduling tasks based on your productivity cycles, marking streaks of successes, and visualizing your future-self.

Re: Procrastination is about managing emotions, not time

#117

Post by Brave-Steak »

enigami wrote: post #74

https://waitbutwhy.com/2013/10/why-procrastinators-procrasti... WaitButWhy blog gave me an amazing insight into why do we procrastinate in the most simplest form. I've felt like, I was literally reading about me

While I've spent a lot of time reading everything he's written, I never felt that any of it helped me overcome my procrastination. It was just recognition and a shallow, fleeting satisfaction in that recognition.

Re: Procrastination is about managing emotions, not time

#118

Post by stared »

Brave-Steak wrote: post #107
stared wrote: post #103

I've learned the most valuable things from the HowToADHD channel: 1. Procrastination is related to fear, and the fight, flight & freeze responses for work. Procrastination = flight. Pulling an all-nighter = fight (gets things done, but at a health cost). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hlObsAeFNVk 2. For people with ADHD (e.g. myself) there are two times: NOW and NOT NOW. That way, it is hard to do any activity, unle…

Is the channel purely informational or does it also provide methods for how to deal with it? Or is the best solution medication (in the case of ADD)?

These are mostly hints and tips. In ~5 min videos, so there is some actual chance to keep attention during that time.

Plus, she speaks rapidly, and it is a plus (I don't need to do my usual thing of listening at 1.5x so I don't get bored).

Re: Procrastination is about managing emotions, not time

#119

Post by Udik »

I want a way to pin this article to the top of the front page. Twice this morning I got slightly unnerved by something and automatically opened hacker news: then I read the title, realised I was trying to avoid thinking about something, and closed the tab again. :)

Re: Procrastination is about managing emotions, not time

#120

Post by Brave-Steak »

codingmess wrote: post #88
thecatspaw wrote: post #45

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I disagree, I also procrastinate on things I want to do

Or that you think you want to do, but your subconsciousness knows better.

My subconsciousness wants to eat, sleep, fuck and play video games. I'm not sure I want to be taking its advice.
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