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Dear procrastinator

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Re: Dear procrastinator

#31

Post by edo »

Jebdm wrote: post #26
makeramen wrote: post #12

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's self-signed... Even if the idea isn't completely original, I would assume the writing is. Or if you're doubting the factual evidence behind it, I don't think he's presenting this as fact, despite his tone. This is the same tone of many self-help books, even those backed by "real" evidence and data who cite sources. Still doesn't mean they work for everyone. If you disagree, then don't take his advice.

I don't take claims without evidence as a rule, and he didn't present any evidence. His case is especially problematic because he is making strong claims about a fairly well-studied field in which there is not a clearly dominant theory. If he's not intending to present what he's saying as fact, he should say so.

You're right. I added a note to the original post:

note: I notice my writing could use some nuance. Painting an extreme is just a style of writing which helps bring across a point. Obviously there are things that are objectively less fun to do.

Re: Dear procrastinator

#32

Post by jodrellblank »

That doesn't seem to answer anything. If human beings procrastinate to feel in control, what of soldiers? They can be happy and fulfilled, work damn hard, and be only doing exactly what they are told.

The next question, for you perhaps, is "what do you fear so much about the idea of not being in control of your life?"

Re: Dear procrastinator

#33

Post by epo »

Jebdm wrote: post #26
makeramen wrote: post #12

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's self-signed... Even if the idea isn't completely original, I would assume the writing is. Or if you're doubting the factual evidence behind it, I don't think he's presenting this as fact, despite his tone. This is the same tone of many self-help books, even those backed by "real" evidence and data who cite sources. Still doesn't mean they work for everyone. If you disagree, then don't take his advice.

I don't take claims without evidence as a rule, and he didn't present any evidence. His case is especially problematic because he is making strong claims about a fairly well-studied field in which there is not a clearly dominant theory. If he's not intending to present what he's saying as fact, he should say so.

He is clearly presenting his opinion. You are clearly nitpicking for no good reason other than to nitpick.

Re: Dear procrastinator

#34

Post by RuadhanMc »

Jebdm wrote: post #7

[citation needed]

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.

Re: Dear procrastinator

#37

Post by silverbax88 »

edo wrote: post #27
silverbax88 wrote: post #22

I'm sorry to disagree, but I do. My own battle with procrastination is completely due to laziness. No one likes to do difficult things, and sometimes even things we kind of enjoy. The reality is that we, as humans, never procrastinate when we really, really want something. Not once in my life did I have to "trick" myself into playing a video game a few extra minutes or watch a big basketball game. In short, we accomp…

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…

Anything that we perceive as hard or boring is a task for procrastination. We simply don't want to do it because it isn't fun. I am not a games tester; therefore video games are still fun. But when I was first starting as a programmer, I did it because I was having a blast, and it made me successful. It has nothing to do with being told to do something, and it has everything to do with our brains - especially creative people - being bored and only wanting to satisfy our ID. We really do want to dream all day. But as I've gotten older I've learned to reign that in and also how to balance it out.

We must push ourselves if we want to improve. We must ask ourselves the hard questions. I have often called this 'throwing myself to the wolves' when I embark on a new endeavor...I know it will be hard. I know I will fail, badly. I know the established community will tear into me. But I will push myself and keep fighting and eventually, what was once hard will become easy.

Re: Dear procrastinator

#38

Post by hasenj »

The other day I tried to use "LazyMeter". I got a few things done using it, but I felt extremely uncomfortable. The feeling was familiar: the same feeling I had in my previous job. I felt suffocated and deprived.

Re: Dear procrastinator

#39

Post by starwed »

ThomPete wrote: post #21

I think you are replacing one extreme claim with another. Becoming better at something means that either your body or your brain have to do do something that it's not used to and doesn't feel comfortable with. It doesn't matter how much you love what you do it's still going to feel harder and thus there are a million other things you would rather do. When I were young I practiced the guitar 10 hours a day for a long…

I don't really see where that contradicts what he wrote... could you explain what you mean?

Re: Dear procrastinator

#40

Post by gexla »

edo wrote: post #27
silverbax88 wrote: post #22

I'm sorry to disagree, but I do. My own battle with procrastination is completely due to laziness. No one likes to do difficult things, and sometimes even things we kind of enjoy. The reality is that we, as humans, never procrastinate when we really, really want something. Not once in my life did I have to "trick" myself into playing a video game a few extra minutes or watch a big basketball game. In short, we accomp…

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 always align with what we really want to do. That's when I procrastinate.

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