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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

#361

Post by gbjw »

AnIdiotOnTheNet wrote: post #211
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…

> I think the subject deserves a Black Mirror episode and few startups. This is the probably the most HN solution to a problem I've ever seen posted. And just so we're clear: I don't mean that in a good way.

Startups to save the world and Black Mirror to lampoon the naivety of their techno-utopian worldview. The yin and yang of today's culture.

Re: Procrastination is about managing emotions, not time

#362

Post by tylerjwilk00 »

We procrastinate because a lot of what we do _really_ doesn't truly matter. That thing you're procrastinating probably won't mean jack when you are on your death bed. The conflict is that we feel like that thing should matter and yet we don't want to do it. Which choice is the delusion?

"The ability to let that which does not matter truly slide." ~ Tyler Durden

Re: Procrastination is about managing emotions, not time

#364

Post by juzerali »

It was high time for someone to put it in perspective and thankfully someone has. Managing to do lists or calendars are no substitute to living an authentic life.

It might help to understand from where does the stress of procrastinating originate. My hypothesis is that it comes from the procrastinator getting hung up on a "desired outcome". Procrastinator expects certain reward in lieu of his work, for instance making someone feel a certain way about them. But they realise how unlikely the exact outcome is. Inability, perceived or real, of managing with even slightly different outcomes is what causes the stress in the first place. Then later, the guilt works as double whammy for the procrastinator.

Here is where I disagree with the article. Taking first step might be a stimulant, but not a solution. It might cause further stress when it becomes clearer that the desired outcome is more unlikely. Possible solution might be to let go of desire to control the world and people who are going to be affected by the work. Building confidence in oneself, trusting others, and self awareness are the only way out.

Re: Procrastination is about managing emotions, not time

#365

Post by idclip »

anoncake wrote: post #299
temporaryvector wrote: post #34

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I suppose I should clarify the kind of mindfulness I'm talking about. Basically what I was taught was how to pay attention to what I'm feeling and where those emotions are coming from. This helps a lot with lowering my anxiety and stress levels. Unlike meditation, this isn't something that I stop to do, aside from maybe a brief pause to take a couple of breaths, it's something I do throughout the day when I start fee…

I don't think it's possible to procrastinate using mindfulness meditation. If you're trying to avoid something, what you're really trying to avoid are the associated emotions. Mindfulness meditation does literally the opposite. I find that by letting the emotions I'd like to avoid come to my consciousness -- i.e. meditating -- I get used to them. That frequently outright removes my procrastinating problem. > that I w…

You’re 100% correct.

I find the only thing that comes in the way of meditation is the mind’s attempt to escape while under duress. People tend to prefer to drink, watch something, and even blame others, rather than sit and close eyes and feel.

Thats why i think its important to actually have a meditation buddy to help out with starting, and when its particularly tough.

The more an ego needs to meditate, it seems that it develops more and more aversion - i sort of think its one major cause for many mental pathologies.

Re: Procrastination is about managing emotions, not time

#366

Post by crucini »

jhayward wrote: post #219
swiley wrote: post #205

Earlier quoted context omitted.

After spending 4 years around people high on prescription amphetamines in an engineering school, here’s my impression as someone who was mostly sober: (during the day anyway) They look (to me) like they just make that effect where some people get hung up on certain classes of ideas way stronger, if it happens to be video games you won’t get anything done but if it happens to be math then you’ll probably get very good…

This comment is a non-sequitor to the parent. You appear to be referring to neurotypical people abusing amphetemines ("people high on .."). GP is referring to using a prescription to manage an actual disorder. They're not the same thing, at all. Please do not commit the offense of saying that there's no such thing as ADHD, "everyone has trouble doing ..", etc.

I think swiley is being a bit cheeky by applying the term "high" to those who are officially, medically stimulated. But you may be erring on the other side, giving too much weight to the official narrative that blesses "medical" speed and condemns "street" speed.

The real difference between medical and rec speed is dosage and route of administration. Big doses, taken nasally or intravenously, are abuse; small doses, taken orally, are medication.

But to concur with swiley, speed doesn't magically stop being speed when an ADHD diagnosis and a Trademarked Drug (TM) enter the picture.

Re: Procrastination is about managing emotions, not time

#367

Post by walamaking »

tern wrote: post #52

Learning how to process my emotions made procrastination a non-issue in my life. After learning better models, I don't even use the word anymore. There are many techniques, but I'd recommend looking at the bio-emotive framework to start.

Could you elaborate a bit on what this bio-emotive framework is? I checked out Dr. Douglas J. Tataryn's website but there's some paid content.
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