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Dear procrastinator

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Re: Dear procrastinator

#51

Post by Jem »

janjan wrote: post #6

This is not true for myself at all! Actually I think in my case all the stuff you read about procrastination does not really aplly to my procrastination: I think I am one of the worlds worst procastinators and it took me about 10 years to figure out what might be the main reason for my behaviour. It has nothing to with all the stuff you read in all these procrastination books. It's not about the fear of failing, it's…

I grew up having to pull my weight. I'm one of 6 - it was just not possible for us all to get the attention we "deserved" without helping out. I was cooking meals at the age of 9 and helping out with the laundry shortly after. I cleaned my room, helped look after the pets, babysat younger siblings, etc.

And yet I STILL hate having to wash clothes and cook for my family. I know that they need doing, but I too will often procrastinate instead. I would rather be at my computer than at the cooker, at my daughter's side than at the dishwasher...

Is it my mother's fault? Did she push me too hard, or not enough? No, it is MY laziness that is the problem.

Stop looking for a cause, looking for someone else to blame: you are responsible for your own path.

Re: Dear procrastinator

#52

Post by toddmorey »

I'm not lazy, I'm not too proud to do mundane things, and I don't feel others control my life. (How would that last perspective explain procrastinating on a personal project like a painting?) I didn't understand procrastination until I understood it from this perspective (and I imagine a lot of the folks on HN are similar): I procrastinate because I'm a perfectionist. If it's not finished, it can't be judged. There's more I can tweak! Once something is turned in, published, or launched, it stands as an example of my best effort. It wears my name. And that scares the hell out of me.

Re: Dear procrastinator

#53

Post by ctdonath »

"The act of rebelling against an oppressor, an authorative figure telling you what to do, is your way of regaining mastery over your own fate."

Surely you jest.

Oh, sure, some people will procrastinate as rebellion.

Just as sure, some people procrastinate a simple matter of choosing from a menu: choosing steak over fish is for some a simple preference, not weighed down with rebellion against diet or splurging against budget. At a given moment I have the choice to do interesting thing X or less interesting thing Y; I choose X not out of the oppression of why Y is an option at all, but just because it is what I would rather do.

You may struggle against authority an procrastinate as an act of rebellion. Others because it's just what they would rather do.

Re: Dear procrastinator

#54

Post by hammock »

gexla wrote: post #40
edo wrote: post #27

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Silverbax, thanks for your comment. What makes you really want to play a video game and dislike doing the dishes? Is it something objective about the thing to be done, or does it have to do with your mental framing of the task at hand? I feel it is the latter. A friend of mine reviews video games professionally, and he procrastinates on playing games. I think it's because he is told to play games. An authority figure…

Going along with the thread that was started here. When I play a video game, it's the game I want to play at the time I want to play it and with the goal that I picked for that session. If I have to review a video game then I have all these choices largely made for me. The goal is to review the game rather than go for whatever I might want out of the game. The reality of our lives force us to do things which don't al…

If I have to review a video game then I have all these choices largely made for me.

Which plays into the whole "authority figure" thing that OP is talking about.

My immediate reaction was to be skeptical, but I am starting to think OP makes quite a bit of sense.

Re: Dear procrastinator

#56

Post by hammock »

Jebdm wrote: post #48
RuadhanMc wrote: post #34

Earlier quoted context omitted.

A citation is not needed. It's obvious that he is expressing an opinion. Those who disagree with him can express an opposing opinion. Just because someone says something, doesn't mean that they need to back it up in any scientific way, especially in a community based around discussing ideas and sharing opinions.

At the risk of repeating myself: the "opinion" he is expressing is actually a theory of procrastination. When you make broad statements like "the reason why human-beings procrastinate is to feel in control of their life", you are declaring your belief about why a widespread phenomena occurs of the type which is either right or wrong (or partially right). Making such statements without providing any evidence for them…

Humble suggestion: Instead of complaining, you could be constructive, posting an opposing point of view with appropriate support, as most of the other dissenters have done.

Re: Dear procrastinator

#57

Post by hetman »

toddmorey wrote: post #52

I'm not lazy, I'm not too proud to do mundane things, and I don't feel others control my life. (How would that last perspective explain procrastinating on a personal project like a painting?) I didn't understand procrastination until I understood it from this perspective (and I imagine a lot of the folks on HN are similar): I procrastinate because I'm a perfectionist. If it's not finished, it can't be judged. There's…

My tendency for perfectionism also contributes but for an entirely different reason; I often feel it's hard to motivate my self because of the increased effort yielding diminishing returns. Yet I know once I get started the perfectionist can take over and I end up burning a lot of time with not much to show for it.

In many ways I sympathise with the OP's point of view to a large extent, while don't really understand yours. That makes me wonder if there's some even more fundamental reason that causes procrastination or whether it can be just different things for different people.

Re: Dear procrastinator

#58

Post by wisty »

Procrastination has many causes. I expect this is because humans haven't often needed to motivate themselves, as they have often been motivated by fear and hunger. Above $5 or $10 a day, basic nutrition and shelter is not an issue.

Here's a few reasons why I think some people procrastinate. Mix and match:

- The need to feel control. - Some urge to punish or test someone (a parent?)

- Perfectionism (high standards, the need to over-achieve, or egotism), or a fear of being judged. If it's not done, nobody has to see your crappy work.

- Laziness. Sometimes an issue for people who can pass without working.

- Habit. See all the above.

- Dopamine addiction. The internet has given rise to the junk food equivalent of achievement.

- Unrealistic expectations, leading to a lack of motivation. Sorry, but they lied when they said the course / job you are getting into is the most important one in the world. They say that about every course / job.

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