Why I Procrastinate (2019) • Hacker News Board

Re: Why I Procrastinate (2019)

#161

Post by jlangemeier » Fri, Jan 24, 2020, 3:50 PM UTC

moltar wrote: post #83

jlangemeier wrote: post #28

Earlier quoted context omitted.

For me, todo lists and prioritization systems are like mental health yo-yo dieting; I've tried them all, 4 times over and nothing ever sticks. This section spoke to me in the same way, as each time I a new system up (or an old one back up) it works until I have to deal with an emergency day, where even the act of updating the list goes out the window. And then, the next day it's "hey, I made it through yesterday, I d…

How do we fix this?

I think it's something that's a person by person fix; much like the 100's of methods of task management there could probably 100's of methods of task management for folks with ADHD. For me, I've been playing around with implementing a deadman's switch on my Trello board using Butler, and it's been an interesting experiment. Essentially I have a task that has to be 'completed' each morning before 10am, if I don't I'll get an email that it's overdue, if I do complete it Butler will set a new due date for the next work day @ 10am.

It's been one of my better attempts at trying to circumvent the 'scorched earth' leaving of the task management process.

Re: Why I Procrastinate (2019)

#162

Post by inkeddeveloper » Fri, Jan 24, 2020, 5:23 PM UTC

spawarotti wrote: post #81

TL;DR: "Most people don't have problems with procrastination" I’ve read the article. I would caution against labeling yourself as having ADHD, IMO it is very dangerous. Every high-achieving person I know has major problem with procrastination. I was nodding while reading the article until the ADHD part. Does it mean we all have ADHD? Consider an alternative: our brains have to operate nonstop at near max capacity jus…

our brains have to operate nonstop at near max capacity

Pretty sure this is egregiously false.

Re: Why I Procrastinate (2019)

#163

Post by JoeAltmaier » Fri, Jan 24, 2020, 5:29 PM UTC

inkeddeveloper wrote: post #162

spawarotti wrote: post #81

TL;DR: "Most people don't have problems with procrastination" I’ve read the article. I would caution against labeling yourself as having ADHD, IMO it is very dangerous. Every high-achieving person I know has major problem with procrastination. I was nodding while reading the article until the ADHD part. Does it mean we all have ADHD? Consider an alternative: our brains have to operate nonstop at near max capacity jus…

our brains have to operate nonstop at near max capacity Pretty sure this is egregiously false.

Seems arguable. Why would nature over-supply us with brain power? It takes calories, adds weight, increases disease vectors and physical vulnerability.

Maybe its fair to say we have brain capacity sufficient for a normal distribution of operating requirements. Instead of 'nonstop'. But we certainly don't have any brain in excess of requirements, according to natural selection logic.

Re: Why I Procrastinate (2019)

#164

Post by Terr_ » Fri, Jan 24, 2020, 8:48 PM UTC

kleborp wrote: post #6

The post linked within this post was really illuminating for me: https://gekk.info/articles/adhd.html The section on why notecards and todo lists have never worked for him (and for me) was particularly salient: "The problem with "systems" is that they are authorities. They have to be. If you decide "I'll prioritize things with a stack of notecards" then you are telling yourself the following: "The notecards replace m…

I think this comic is both amusing and highly-relevant to the issue of willpower/discipline:

https://existentialcomics.com/comic/13

Re: Why I Procrastinate (2019)

#165

Post by Allower » Tue, Jan 28, 2020, 4:52 PM UTC

InvisibleUp wrote: post #84

spawarotti wrote: post #81

TL;DR: "Most people don't have problems with procrastination" I’ve read the article. I would caution against labeling yourself as having ADHD, IMO it is very dangerous. Every high-achieving person I know has major problem with procrastination. I was nodding while reading the article until the ADHD part. Does it mean we all have ADHD? Consider an alternative: our brains have to operate nonstop at near max capacity jus…

Hi, author here. Since I wrote this article, I got professionally diagnosed and treated. Turns out, yeah, I'm doing a lot better now. On most days I don't have these symptoms, I can in fact study for classes and work, while also doing the things I love. I'm getting back into doodling, I've schedules all the appointments I need to, I have a great friend group, etc. etc. It's not perfect, I relapse sometimes, but I'm d…

NO ONE is a professional on this topic, they are all amateurs, its not a real science.

You found a way to adjust your thinking patterns and thats great, but proselytizing a whole new myth does no favors for anyone, least of all yourself.

Re: Why I Procrastinate (2019)

#166

Post by Allower » Tue, Jan 28, 2020, 4:55 PM UTC

sadok wrote: post #138

InvisibleUp wrote: post #110

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'll bite. - I don't watch TV, and I don't have a Netflix account - I'm asexual. I don't consume porn. - I tried taking a social media break in the past. It didn't fix anything. I would just either nap or stare at the wall while my thoughts raced in circles. - I bike and walk long distances on a regular basis. I understand you're trying to help but I'm not you . My brain works differently than yours. Maybe the rates…

So much this. Honestly, there is a condescending tone in the parent comment, it's the usual "Do you feel depressed? How about we go to the movies? You'll feel better!" type of advice. My brain can't produce the appropriate neurochemicals that yours (parent comment) can, so in the past I've had the need to use antidepressants to supplement my brain. Lots of people don't understand this.

Bullshit. You just haven't figured out your own personal triggers. Expecting others to solve your problems (doctors, 'therapists', etc) will only teach you a new fiction.