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Procrastination is about managing emotions, not time

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Re: Procrastination is about managing emotions, not time

#171

Post by mettamage »

TeMPOraL wrote: post #80
tarruda wrote: post #65

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> 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. I'm also videogame addict. I've found that listening to game music/soundtracks (mostly instrumental) while programming really helps me achieve the similar feelings and even motivates me to get stuff done.

Are you listening to music just from games you've played, or game music in general? I do listen a lot to music from games, movies and series for that emotional boost, but it always has to be something I've already played/watched and engaged with emotionally in the past. The music doesn't generate new emotions in me, it pulls on the past experiences. Listening to arbitrary soundtracks wouldn't work on me.

Ah yes, I'm heavily into chillstep and liquid dnb.

My favorites:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PiLCHmyAgEU -- this dnb year mix is a bit too explosive but a lot of my favorite tracks are in there.

Chillstep, no good mixes but I've got some tracks I really like to get you started (if you're into this sort of thing).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W6Hy0G0R3AQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vKKERJpFuvo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aWeL8bHij08 -- he's a professional violinist and chillstep producer (aka the violin is real)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YCXuOvvWLQ8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OcsgA7Laxfg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a_jcLeUsBa4

Re: Procrastination is about managing emotions, not time

#172

Post by willart4food »

INGELRII wrote: post #124

As the society advances and problems are solved for us, we are left with the most central core problem, ourselves. Related to concepts like 'agency', 'impulse control', 'willpower', 'restraint', 'free will', 'delayed gratification' are connected to our status and self image. If you think humans as AI systems, we are facing issues with our reward function. Short term reward seems to overrule long term planning and goa…

Don't forget to add the "Facebook Effect" where everyone else does everything just perfectly, and most everyone is scared of experimenting by "trying" something that might not work out.

We need to re-define what failure is.

Re: Procrastination is about managing emotions, not time

#173

Post by neuronic »

CaptArmchair wrote: post #148
rocgf wrote: post #112

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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 de…

You're going to love this video on YouTube aptly titled "Meaning is a jumper you have to knit for yourself": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=psaCM1j9LEM Also, Exurb1a has an excellent channel fraught with articulate video's about existentialism. Then there's this. You're summarizing how much our non-working life has become a zero-sum game: > Working on side projects feels maybe a bit shallow as well. I will probably…

Thank you for this comment, it's a real value addition to the discussion for me.

Re: Procrastination is about managing emotions, not time

#174

Post by codingmess »

Brave-Steak wrote: post #120
codingmess wrote: post #88

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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.

Your subconsciousness doesn't ask for your permission.

Re: Procrastination is about managing emotions, not time

#175

Post by Gravityloss »

AstralStorm wrote: post #139
EndXA wrote: post #116

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…

Ultimate issue it does not tackle is lack of real reward. Usually when we do something that is not strictly required of us it's for a reward. (Including mutants who like solving problems just for the sake of solving problems.) Abstract rewards are obviously not rewards. They're hypotheticals. Most of the time we do not get rewarded for work, much less proportionally to effort. This of course over time ruins self-cont…

There's a saying. A cat get satisfaction from stalking, chasing, catching, softening, killing and eating the prey. The system wouldn't work if it only got satisfaction from eating.

People can get satisfaction from things like receiving admiration (depends hugely who gives it) and thus be motivated by it.

Re: Procrastination is about managing emotions, not time

#176

Post by mettamage »

onefuncman wrote: post #163
mettamage wrote: post #127

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I agree. I’ve been able to do it one time. And I promoted it on HN with a public facing account (this account is pseudo anonymous + my super hero name, if I’d be one).

hi fellow super hero

Are you in a func? OR DO YOU NEED THE PERFECT FUNCTION?!

Worry not!

Run to the highest hill in the vicinity

And call his name out loud...

into the ether of infinity

ONEFUNCMAN!!!

Whatever func you're in or need. He'll save you.

He always does. He's the best, for he is one func man.

Re: Procrastination is about managing emotions, not time

#177

Post by classified »

inscionent wrote: post #165
classified wrote: post #130

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> If you think humans as AI systems Humans are not "AI" systems but infinitely more complex. Which is why, among other things, humans are capable of driving a car safely while "AI" is not. I for one would feel disgusted with myself if I were to discover that I'm nothing more than the output of a reward function. YMMV.

Have you seen humans drive cars?

Ha, you do have a point here, of course. But for comparison, have you seen "AI" drive cars?

Re: Procrastination is about managing emotions, not time

#178

Post by gbrown »

classified wrote: post #130
INGELRII wrote: post #124

As the society advances and problems are solved for us, we are left with the most central core problem, ourselves. Related to concepts like 'agency', 'impulse control', 'willpower', 'restraint', 'free will', 'delayed gratification' are connected to our status and self image. If you think humans as AI systems, we are facing issues with our reward function. Short term reward seems to overrule long term planning and goa…

> If you think humans as AI systems Humans are not "AI" systems but infinitely more complex. Which is why, among other things, humans are capable of driving a car safely while "AI" is not. I for one would feel disgusted with myself if I were to discover that I'm nothing more than the output of a reward function. YMMV.

> I for one would feel disgusted with myself if I were to discover that I'm nothing more than the output of a reward function. YMMV.

Well we use different words for it, but I’m not sure I understand the alternative? The brain is a physical thing, and it’s (in the broader physiological/hormonal environment) making the decisions. “Reward function” sounds reductive, but obviously it’s a much more complex phenomena than all current human created AI. We’re not just minimizing a sum of squares, if that’s what you mean.

Re: Procrastination is about managing emotions, not time

#179

Post by EndXA »

non-entity wrote: post #141
AstralStorm wrote: post #139

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Ultimate issue it does not tackle is lack of real reward. Usually when we do something that is not strictly required of us it's for a reward. (Including mutants who like solving problems just for the sake of solving problems.) Abstract rewards are obviously not rewards. They're hypotheticals. Most of the time we do not get rewarded for work, much less proportionally to effort. This of course over time ruins self-cont…

In my case, there is a tangible reward for many things, but if it's long term (i.e. and reward will only be realized years or even just months out) I probably wont ever do it. Ots a huge problem for me atm.

I strongly recommend taking a look at first three sections in the article I linked above: 'Abstract goals', 'Rewards that are far in the future', 'A disconnect from our future self'. They will give you a lot of insights into why this is an issue for you, which can later help you find a solution.

Also, here are two techniques I discuss that you might find helpful:

- Try to find ways to reward yourself for making progress on your way to your end goal. For example, you can create interim goals that are closer in time and reward yourself for making progress.

- Try to visualize your future self achieving the long-term rewards that you're interested in.

Re: Procrastination is about managing emotions, not time

#180

Post by throwout98423 »

I went 35 years of managing to be a capable, but never exceptional, achiever -- in high school, college, and in my career. I've also been a terrible procrastinator all during that time.

It was never evident to me in school because I'd get the same grades as the kids working substantially harder than me. However, once I got into the workforce, and it took me many years to realize it, that performing to the "mean" was not where I wanted to be.

The turning point for me was finally getting an ADHD (particularly the attention side, as an adult) diagnosis and being treated for it. Once I started on Adderall, I finally saw myself able to put in the same efforts as others and it felt like I was able to get ahead of others in terms of performance.

Besides the chemicals helping, just being able to focus better made it easier for me to figure out what systems I need to in place to ensure I'm staying on top of things and being productive. You often hear this advice but for someone who has a difficult time starting things, the idea of "building systems" is overwhelming.

I'm not sure I'm at the point where I'm confident enough to taking the pills but I'm pretty sure if I did, I'd be better off than I was before I started.

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