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Getting into the nitty gritty of breaking the procrastination habit

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jeff 1972 sehs	Getting into the nitty gritty of breaking the procrastination habit	Lead	[-]
Posts: 185 (03/06/09 22:24:52) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Tags : None Hello all. After 15+ ******* years of my procrastination getting worse and worse, this has got to stop. I have been working on my emotions, and my emotions are clearing up, and I am seeing things clearer, but I still procrastinate. I can see how my ruts have become like these deep canyons, and now I need to rock climb. I posted on another topic about wanting someone to work with my one-on-one. In the mean time, I am going to try to get as much input and hopefully work through this seriously, because THIS HAS GOT TO STOP. OK, quick check, what will I work on when I get to work on Monday? The fact that the answer to this is not at the tip of my tounge is part of my problem, I think. I think I need to clearly have in my mind what I am working on. I have tried implementing the Getting Things Done system, but it ends up being the Not Getting Things Done system. I have seen so much advice on defeating procrastination. Where to start. I don't know how much effort to put into getting organized, finding tricks and techniques to help, and finding other people to work with me. I will keep you posted.
jeff 1972 sehs	My problem	#1	[-]
Posts: 186 (03/06/09 22:34:03) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	OK, before trying to fix my procrastination, let me tell you specifically how I procrastinate. My biggest procrastination activity is web browsing. I tend to find a topic I am interested in, then "research" it extensively on the internet. And I obsess about this topic, even in my thoughts, until I find my next topic. Lately I have loved looking through old books on google books seening how science topics have progressed through the years. Believe me, that can take a lot of work (i.e. procrastination time). I also tend to snack excessively at work, which can take some time. Then there is the category of trying to find interesting things to work on, to "help" out with, when I should be doing my own work. Of course, we are encouraged to be collaborative and to help each other, and I have gotten praise for doing this before, but for me, it is still procrastination. Everything in moderation can be good, in excess can be bad. I also sometimes just kind of "freeze" with fear, just staring at a task, but not working on it. And while procrastinating, I never tend to feel like I am having fun. I tend to feel anxious and tight while procrastinating (maybe getting an adrenaline rush too, but still anxious.) I give up on getting organized, I forget tasks, and i put off tasks that are important but easy to do. Today, I had three things I needed to do. Yes, I had to leave work early to take care of my wife at home. But I spent 1.5 hours procrastinating this morning. So, i can't blame my wife's problems for why I didn't do the work, because I wasn't working on it when I did have the time.
jeff 1972 sehs	General Plan of Attack	#2	[-]
Posts: 187 (03/06/09 22:48:21) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	So, what should be my general strategy? I know the best thing to do is start practicing things I can make a regular habit over the long haul. Of course i am so pumped up at this moment I can get real productive next week, probably. But based on my past experience, I will crash and burn. I need to be smart about using my vigorous intensity of working on this problem at this moment in a constructive way. OK. First off, I think it would be good to disable my web browser on my computer at work. Anyone know how to do that. I have tried deleting the icons off the desktop, but then I found that if I just type the url into the address bar on any window, it activates internet explorer. Does anyone know how to disable internet explorer, or make it really difficult to use (because I do need to use it sometimes.). I know lots of people have web browsing habits. Its like I am an alcoholic with a bottle of Vodka on my desk every minute that I work. Help! OK, I can get my organizational system up and working this weekend. That would be good. Get my next action lists ready. I had the idea of bringing my youngest child's puzzles to work. Then, when I feel like procrastinating, do one of those puzzles. The advantage is that it is hands on, and has a definite conclusion (the puzzle is done). Hm, may look to silly. Maybe make my own custom puzzle out of white paper, and do that at my desk. Hm. Maybe. OK, there is tons of advice out there on defeating procrastination, and I know I need to do things that focus on HABITS. OK, I have a habit of sitting at my desk, feeling there is no point in doing task X, then transitioning to procrastination. So, when I am at my desk, list of tasks ready, I have an amazing lack of habit of tackling those things. And I know from my past experience that starting does NOT usually guarantee that I will work on a task. Of course it helps, but many a task I have started then put it down when I run across problems with it. I have an extreme sensitivity to feeling defeated, feeling that when I run across a problem, it is a failure. What happened to my perseverance? It is like it has completely disappeared. I feel so weak. When I think of perseverance, I see myself at my desk at work, and the feeling that comes to mind is the feeling of being blocked. I don't fully know the nature of those blockages, and of couse they are all coming from myself. I know I tend no to appreciate the things I do accomplish. OK, I am rambling. i will try and post later this weekend.
jeff 1972 sehs	Get too stressed getting things done	#3	[-]
Posts: 188 (03/07/09 12:16:30) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	I notice that when I am working, I tend to work without breaks and get stressed. So I get stressed while I work, and I am stressed while I procrastinate. OK, today, I am taking care of the kids while my wife is sick. There are things to do around the house, and work I want to catch up on, and I want to spend time with the kids. I need to find ways to be less stressed while I am working, so that I won't get burnt out and switch to procrastination mode.
jeff 1972 sehs	Procrastination to avoid myself	#4	[-]
Posts: 189 (03/09/09 12:51:55) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	I think I use procrastination as a way to avoid myself, at some level. Avoid dealing with my dreams, what is important to me, because I'm afraid I won't like myself if I am being me, meaning that if I am in touch with all parts of my life. When I am procrastinating, I am usually trying to escape from the reality of my life. If I accept myself the way I am, I find it easier to engage with life.
Sharonver	Hello	#5	[-]
Posts: 828 (03/11/09 12:52:56) Administrator Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Hi Jeff, Haven't heard from you in awhile!!!!!!! I have been working really hard on my bad habit, and it seems to have gotten much better. I think I have developed more determination. Plus I will be semi-retired in a few months, that will certainly help with a lot of tasks that get put off... Sharon
jeff 1972 sehs	Using GTD system for a week	#6	[-]
Posts: 190 (03/19/09 12:43:54) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	I have decided to fully implement the "Getting Things Done" system , and it has really been helping for the past week. I have tried it before, but I think I've reached the spiritual and emotional health needed to handle listing out my tasks again. I firmly believe that it's not the organizational system that will cure procrastination, you have to deal with deeper issues first. In the "Getting Things Done" system, you end up writing down many many tasks to do, but you need to be in the right frame of mind not to be overwhelmed. I think it helps to realize that my list of things to do is not things that HAVE to get done. It is a list of things I have an opportunity to work on if God gives me the opportunity. But, now that I had the determination to really fight my procrastination habit, using this system has helped me get on track. I'll keep you posted on how it is going.

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