[hvert]

The title says it all, really. Struggling to work on a writing project due tomorrow, mindlessly surfing the internet instead. Why do we do this to ourselves? Why is it so hard to work on the things we tell ourselves we want to prioritize?

[Shazerac]

I hear you. Procrastination is one of my primary skills. One trick I use when I absolutely HAVE to do something is set the timer on my phone for 30 minutes. I work on my task and when the timer goes off I set it again and goof off, surf the internet or whatever until the timer goes off again. Then I go set the timer again get back to work, rinse repeat. It may not work for you but it's worth a shot.

[hvert]

I just set a timer for my fifteen minute break. It's so hard to make myself focus!

[Shazerac]

Originally Posted by hvert

I just set a timer for my fifteen minute break. It's so hard to make myself focus!

I hear you. Not being able to focus sucks!

[hvert]

I got into the swing of things more easily today, working quite steadily with only one substantial break. About to go to the gym for another - resting from mental concentration with physical activity seems to help.

[ChangingMindSet]

Hi everyone, this is the top problem I have. I just feel overwhelmed when I have papers to work on. And a few times I couldn't do it at all which pretty much sucks. But I am trying to change that and be more proactive. The pomodoro technique works pretty well actually, but one has to commit to it. Basically one works for 20 Minutes and then take a 5 minutes break. The problem is it is hard to commit to it and really do it.

[ChangingMindSet]

I found a procrastination therapy manual and I will read how it works and post here if I find something that works.

Hi CMS,

If you’re still here, I’m interested

[hvert]

I'm also interested.

[frogger62]

Originally Posted by Shazerac

I hear you. Procrastination is one of my primary skills. One trick I use when I absolutely HAVE to do something is set the timer on my phone for 30 minutes. I work on my task and when the timer goes off I set it again and goof off, surf the internet or whatever until the timer goes off again. Then I go set the timer again get back to work, rinse repeat. It may not work for you but it's worth a shot.

I do this, too! And for the same duration. Getting started is difficult for me, but once I'm going then I am very productive when I use this method!

[wordshaker]

I would have to identify this as my biggest problem also. It's the manifestation of all of my internal BS. I'm doing it now. It sabotages my whole life, and I'm working really hard on changing it. Sometimes it's like I have no control at all. I'm just compelled. Thanks for suggestions here. I am interested.

[rdgrad15]

Originally Posted by hvert

The title says it all, really. Struggling to work on a writing project due tomorrow, mindlessly surfing the internet instead. Why do we do this to ourselves? Why is it so hard to work on the things we tell ourselves we want to prioritize?

That is a super hard habit to change. But a good habit to change as well. Good luck!

[hvert]

I came across a book called the Anxiety Toolkit that I believe will be helpful with my procrastination issues. The author talks about having a fight/flight/freeze response to anxiety inducing situations. I really identified with that. I freeze when it comes to the big stuff - I can't make myself think about starting X business, even though I've talked about it for years, or I can't get started on Y project, even though it's really important to me. I also fly by filling up my time with a lot of distracting activities. Some of these seem productive or good on the surface, but they are not moving me towards my goals.

[peteanders]

My own method to beat procrastination is easy as pie. You just start doin the thing you need to do without any ceremonies of preparation for start. Trust me, it works.

[ReadToChange]

I mastered the art of procrastination a long time ago. Getting rid of it is one of the hardest things to do. It's was a huge habit for me. I changed my mindset right away when I finally realized, "What the hell am I doing with my life?" This is just speaking in general terms. Example on how I changed this bad habit: I look forward to the results that is going to be generated when I do/finish what I was suppose to do. I self motivate myself to move forward.

[hvert]

I am procrastinating again. It's like I have one good week and one bad week. I can't focus this week at all, really not good because I have a ton of deadlines coming up at the end of the month... and instead of working, I surf the internet.

Going to close my browsers and set a timer for 15 minutes and see what I can get done. Keeping the bar low.

That works better for me than to do lists! I use the to do list, but it doesn’t help me get started.

[hvert]

It worked yesterday! Today I decided that I didn't want the dread of all these things to do hanging over my head, so I worked for a while this morning. Now I want a nap, lol.

[hvert]

Today's procrastination drama: A week behind in the assignments for an online class. The assignments are publicly posted and a) can't choose between two different approaches and b) don't think either approach is good enough.

Going to try setting a timer again and get this done.

[RebeccaCaldwell]

Hi everyone! Me too. I struggling with procrastination since I've been studying at university.