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Show HN: I made an interactive anti-procrastination video course

deprocrastination.co

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Re: Show HN: I made an interactive anti-procrastination video course

#81

Post by dhimes »

HPsquared wrote: post #69
superasn wrote: post #45

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Good advice. Also one thing that has very often worked for me which I learned from a run-of-the-mill Youtube video is just countdown from 5-4-3-2-1 and then do it for 5 minutes. So many times I've ended up working the whole day after that and often enjoyed myself too. For a lot of people it's like the static friction vs kinetic friction kinda deal.

I like the friction analogy but would have it on an inclined plane to account for the energy produced/consumed once it's started. For example a task which provides its own motivation (once started) would be downhill and may only need an initial push to overcome static friction, then might be self-sustaining. On the other hand, an unrelentingly unpleasant task would be "uphill" and require constant willpower (cf. mech…

Unless you just think of it like you are the person applying the "force" (to get something done), then the analogy is that you have to keep applying it but less once you get into motion.

Re: Show HN: I made an interactive anti-procrastination video course

#82

Post by vitabenes »

thingification wrote: post #76

In this general area of focus/productivity etc, I'm not sure procrastination is a big problem for me these days. But I'm by nature a procrastinator, and in the past I've found occasional small tweaks so unreasonably useful in this sort of area that I'll definitely have a look at the free stuff (tonight! no really). The picture with the frowns turning into numbered points made me smile.

Thanks!

We have lots of articles on the blog, I'm sure you'll find something useful.

Re: Show HN: I made an interactive anti-procrastination video course

#84

Post by deanebarker »

12ian34 wrote: post #30

Great work getting this together, building a curriculum, a pricing model and a website. Some feedback: - I don't trust you yet - I saw the pricing before I gained trust in you as a tutor. Why should I learn how not to procrastinate from you, for money? - The video I watched was quite dry - to be honest I found your presentation style a little monotonous and not very engaging.

Your first point was my first thought as well -- who is this guy, and why should I trust that he's an expert on this?

Re: Show HN: I made an interactive anti-procrastination video course

#87

Post by throwaway675309 »

redmaverick wrote: post #44

Haven't watched the video. For me the only thing that works. The only hack that works is having a contract with a third party. You don't procrastinate on paying your mortgage right. You do it every month. You don't not show up for work right. Or for meetings right. You don't procrastinate on paying your cellphone bill/internet bill/paying rent etc. Why? Because you have contracts with another party and there are cons…

To a point, but you can also create a negative stigma associated with the activity through conditioning using this sort of consequential-based motivation unfortunately.

Sometimes when you do something out of fear of a negative consequence it ends up becoming an activity that, while you might become more proficient at it, you might also grow to dislike the activity. (How many children were forced to learn a musical instrument by their parents and as a result hate it)

Re: Show HN: I made an interactive anti-procrastination video course

#88

Post by Falling3 »

redmaverick wrote: post #44

Haven't watched the video. For me the only thing that works. The only hack that works is having a contract with a third party. You don't procrastinate on paying your mortgage right. You do it every month. You don't not show up for work right. Or for meetings right. You don't procrastinate on paying your cellphone bill/internet bill/paying rent etc. Why? Because you have contracts with another party and there are cons…

Creating accountability is definitely a solid strategy, but I've got to point out that I absolutely procrastinate all of the things you mentioned in your first several paragraphs.

Re: Show HN: I made an interactive anti-procrastination video course

#89

Post by moneywoes »

dhimes wrote: post #83

I think you've got the right idea here. Worksheets are key! I have something similar at bizworklife.com, but not focused on procrastination specifically (although it's covered in one of the lessons).

That domain appears to be suspended

Re: Show HN: I made an interactive anti-procrastination video course

#90

Post by valgor »

redmaverickclon wrote: post #68
codesternews wrote: post #49

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Give me practical example of this? What and how you did

I had to create another account just to reply. I had nocprocrast turned on for hacker news (the irony!) Practical: 1. I lost 30 lbs from 200 lbs to 170 lbs How I did it. Step#1. Made an irreversible decision. I pay $100 every week if I miss losing 2 lbs that week. The deal was for 12 weeks. I started Monday and the deal is every Monday. I have to stand on the scale and take a pic and send it. 2. I solved 200+ Leetcod…

Very interesting idea. If you had to pay, who did you pay? My thought is the money would go to charity, but since that is (usually) a good thing then I don't know if paying money for failing is a good enough incentive.
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