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On January 07 2009 03:26 pooper-scooper wrote:
Here are a few things I do:
1) Go to a library where I have no internet access, and where people actually study.
2) Procrastinate but using other things that I have to get done to delay me having to do the thing I am really dreading.
3) Make a daily entry in my notebook with a tally "Number of times I unnecessarily dicked around on the internet today." This brings a bit more accountability, and helps me at least.
This.
I used to wonder why people went to the library to study or whatever, but then my friend (who does this normally) and I pulled an all-nighter, the first half of which took place at the library. I was floored when I realized how much more I got done in 3 hours at the library than I would have with 3 hours in my dorm room. Now whenever I have a big thing going on I try to do as much of it in the library as possible, I swear, just the library as your surroundings makes you more efficient.
Also, another method I have, that is kinda lame, but whatever, I will describe.
Imagine the thing you are doing is something else. This might work if you are procrastinating doing something because you know it is going to take long or be tedious. Idk, how to describe it, and I have an example, but typing it out will take forever, so I'm not gonna unless somebody asks.
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Read stories about other people's failings, and how they are suffering because they didn't work hard
Try to relate these stories to your current life, and what will happen if you don't do what needs to be done
OR you can do what I do
randomly just close the computer and get your ass to work
rarely works, but when it does, it's wonderful
oh and doing as much work as you can before you get home is helpful
once I get home it's really hard for me to work
once I go to college and start living by myself I expect to get more work done
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Sometimes it's not that bad to procrastinate
Parkinson's law is always there
Work expands so as to fill the time available for its completion.
If you decide to start on an assignment or w/e a week early, you will spend a lot more time than if you are cramming that crap in the night or 2 before. And you won't lose too much quality either (recall the 80-20 'rule' and don't be a perfectionist)
at least that's my rationalization for my procrastination.
of course you have to be smart about your procrastination. if you actually don't get your shit done on time and better than the class average, then pull it together buddy.
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On January 07 2009 12:13 Lemonwalrus wrote:Show nested quote +On January 07 2009 03:26 pooper-scooper wrote:
Here are a few things I do:
1) Go to a library where I have no internet access, and where people actually study.
2) Procrastinate but using other things that I have to get done to delay me having to do the thing I am really dreading.
3) Make a daily entry in my notebook with a tally "Number of times I unnecessarily dicked around on the internet today." This brings a bit more accountability, and helps me at least.
This. I used to wonder why people went to the library to study or whatever, but then my friend (who does this normally) and I pulled an all-nighter, the first half of which took place at the library. I was floored when I realized how much more I got done in 3 hours at the library than I would have with 3 hours in my dorm room. Now whenever I have a big thing going on I try to do as much of it in the library as possible, I swear, just the library as your surroundings makes you more efficient. Also, another method I have, that is kinda lame, but whatever, I will describe. Imagine the thing you are doing is something else. This might work if you are procrastinating doing something because you know it is going to take long or be tedious. Idk, how to describe it, and I have an example, but typing it out will take forever, so I'm not gonna unless somebody asks.
Do it
but take your time
like me
and my 8 pages of essay still to be finished
in
9000 seconds
according to my custom life counter
zomg
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God damn tl is distracting me again
If I post here again within 10 hours, instruct me to get back down to wrinting english paper plz
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You ask a bunch of active TL users who are most likely procrastinating?
Anyways, I try to take classes I enjoy taking and do things I like to do. Stuff just gets done that way.
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Break bigger tasks into smaller tasks that seem very easy to do in a 1 2 hour sitting.
Also temporarily remove temptations for the time you are working it can be as easy as putting the remote on your tv in another room.
Using another log-in name for your computer so some things that are easy to click like a book mark to your fac website aren't there
Then always reward your self with some youtime after you completed a task ofc this is always means you should plan it well before it's do to fit time constraints.
For daily routines i suggest playing out time loosely for you to get your work done. Soon forcing a routine will come easily and you can learn how to switch around tasks so you can be more spontaneous with your time without running out of time. Always keep a watch on your person too.
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3861 Posts
It's the Do or Die that really gets me. I think this is why most people work best when their deadline is literally in 30 minutes or something.
I have 33 essays to correct and here I am browsing through TL. sigh*
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On January 07 2009 14:57 lilsusie wrote:
It's the Do or Die that really gets me. I think this is why most people work best when their deadline is literally in 30 minutes or something.
I have 33 essays to correct and here I am browsing through TL. sigh*
you're also a Teacher/Tutor/TA? :O
I'm amazing at procrastination, I'm trying to fight it.
My biggest enemy is the computer though. And because of that, I did horribly in school.
I'm going to try and go to the library every time there's a test, because I need to seriously stop studying the night before every test.
It worked in high school, but certainly not in college lol.
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Sit down.
Tell myself to focus.
Get work.
Do work.
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think about it rationally: what do you get by procrastinating versus getting stuff done now? nothing... except the possibility of screwing yourself over if you do something too late
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I said I didn't test my theory <edit>
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MyLostTemple
United States2921 Posts
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On January 07 2009 15:31 MyLostTemple wrote:
with adderall
My friends say Adderall is a miracle/savior. Like they can actually focus several hours without being distracted.
I WANT TO TRY THIS SO BAD!
Is it true you need prescription for adderall though?
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3861 Posts
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Listen to procrastination podcasts!
http://iprocrastinate.libsyn.com/index.php?post_category=podcasts
Haha, the irony is that I found this site while I was procrastinating. Plus, listening to podcasts about procrastinating... hrmmm.
Seriously though, these are quite interesting and I'd recommend anyone listen to them if they want to understand the mindset of a procrastinator. Personally, I agree with his idea that most of us procrastinate because we have some "fear of failure". We're scared that if we do the task, we won't succeed in the way we want to so we just avoid doing it altogether.
Also, a key concept, we make seemingly rational decisions over a short period that builds up to irrational decisions over a long period. Example: I stay on the computer and tell myself it'll only take 5 minutes to check the email. But then it'll only take 10 min to watch jaedong rape some newb zerg. And then it'll only take 10 min to beat off to porn. Etc. until you've wasted a LONG time.
Furthermore, the internet is just such a new technology. As opposed to say doing crack-cocaine, it's easier justify our usage of the 'net. There's no taboo in spending many hours dicking around on youtube.
My own idea: I procrastinate on things because I get all stressed out when I think about schoolwork, my future lol. My warped perspective tells me it's better to be stress-free now and pay later, than to stress a little now and reap the rewards later. Oh yea, I read manifesto's posts in STarN's old topic and I agree that you'll stop procrastinating once you find something you're truly passionate about. Aligning your career with your interests is the true solution to curing procrastination 
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I've heard some horror stories with adderall. My friend took it to write an essay, but instead she got fixated on cleaning shit. Her apartment was spotless in the next six hours but essay was 0% done.
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How I get things done is....
Schedule a time to begin.
Work 45 minutes, take 20 minute break... repeat.
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don't worry. procrastination is a reliable sign that whatever you're putting off isn't really that important.
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Embrace procrastination. Its the best way to live. You end up doing what you want to do instead of work, and still end up doing a decent but maybe rushed job on whatever your neglecting. It always works out.
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EPT
