How to overcome procrastination?

[d0nnivain]

This has been a lifelong problem for me.

 

Anybody have any tips on getting started rather than putting things off?

 

T.I.A.

[Johnsmith1003]

If anyone wants to chime in, write me a letter. I'll get it eventually.

 

*sigh* Right there with ya.

[Grumpybutfun]

Lists. This is what I did for my sailors who procrastinated. I made a Xerox of lists they had to do and they had to check them off as their day went by and call me when they were complete and they better not call after 11 p.m. It helped them to prioritize and get stuff done when it had to be checked off. I love lists. I get a lot done because of them.

G

[TaraMaiden]

List - including minor, relevant reward.

 

Do this, do this, do this, do this - have favourite snack/chocolate bar and coffee break.

then:

Do this, do this, do this, do this - and stop to watch previously recorded tv programme.

 

Works for me.

 

Incidentally, I consider 'Procrastination' to be laziness in evening dress.

[beach]

You begin by doing something rather than nothing.

[jba10582]

once you start taking action consciously, and, doing these (hopefully productive/constructive) things, momentum builds into an unconscious habit that you can feel good about when you do accomplish it, and, you may even find yourself feel a hint of guilt/lostness when you don't.

[Babolat]

Agree with the lists comment. I have started to keep a list, carry it with me, check off things as I buy them/get them done, feels good.

[d0nnivain]

You aren't the 1st to suggest lists. I have tried but I end up spending a ton of time making the list, then I become horribly despressed & get very down on myself when I don't do everything on the list. It makes me feel worse. Maybe I just need to learn to make more manageable lists.

[beach]

You aren't the 1st to suggest lists. I have tried but I end up spending a ton of time making the list, then I become horribly despressed & get very down on myself when I don't do everything on the list. It makes me feel worse. Maybe I just need to learn to make more manageable lists.

 

Write 5 things. If one isn't finished - place it on the list for the next day.

 

Check off the things that you get finished.

[reddragon588]

Lists help me a lot. It's fun to be able to check the stuff off.

 

But sometimes there really is no trick... you just have to find the motivation and get up off your ass and do it! Easier said than done of course, but I've been a notorious procrastinator most of my life, but once you fight off the procrastination once, it becomes easier and easier.

[FitChick]

You aren't the 1st to suggest lists. I have tried but I end up spending a ton of time making the list, then I become horribly despressed & get very down on myself when I don't do everything on the list. It makes me feel worse. Maybe I just need to learn to make more manageable lists.

A friend uses Post Its. She writes one thing on each Post It and when it's done, she crumples it up and throws it away. She said there is something very satisfying about crumpling that paper!

 

How about offering yourself a reward. "After I complete five things I will _________" Whatever you find rewarding -- manicure, new shoes, movie, etc.

[jm2013]

I do lists a lot and it helps me visualize what needs to be done. For me, I always set a list the night before and just plow through it the next day. It feels good to mark things off the list and you feel that much more accomplished. Especially if you're conducting business and see a reward from your hard work. You could get down to the basics and use a reporter notebook, just a plain piece of paper, sticky notes or whatever you're comfortable with. For me I use a free online tool https://teuxdeux.com/. This is cool cause if you don't finish something off your list it will automatically move it to the next day for you. It has apps for your phone too. This tool has at least helped me get my daily work done.

[AnyaNova]

Well.

 

My situation is a little unique, with my gluten intolerance...

 

But for me, apparently, making sure I had enough B vitamins (with enough calcium and magnesium in supporting roles) did a pretty good job. But it helps when you have energy--when you're not a weeping and depressed puddle of lightly jaundiced energyless, getting hairless and nearly lipless ball of goo on the floor--and then, just because of who I am, I am all about the work and getting stuff done and meeting and exceeding my capabilities.

 

I would recommend, though, examining if there is a major fear of failure/insistence on perfection even in tasks you are new to, behind it.

 

Just a thought.

[AnyaNova]

You aren't the 1st to suggest lists. I have tried but I end up spending a ton of time making the list, then I become horribly despressed & get very down on myself when I don't do everything on the list. It makes me feel worse. Maybe I just need to learn to make more manageable lists.

 

You might investigate the Getting Things Done system. He goes into that very dilemma (it is one that afflicts me as well). I mean, making more manageable lists, maybe, but you have to willing to stick with it.

 

There is a really good procrastination forum (don't remember the address) that you can use to post your goals for the day, and then cross them off and publicly let people know how much you got done, to help keep you accountable (and it is other procrastinators so they are not an unsympathetic audience). I used that site to help me get my grad student applications in.

[lovebirds]

I second the Getting Things Done suggestion. Pomodoro also helpee me when I had a deadline coming up.

 

But more importantly, sometimes suggestions of making lists etc is not what you need. You need a soul search and find out why you are procrastinating. Sometimes people say procrastination is another word for laziness. I don't agree because it's often a deeply rooted problem that needs to be resolved with a therapist. Example:

 

I always got good grades in school, top of the class. Despite this, my parents were not at all involved with my school work. Me getting through school was evident and normal. When I got a bad grade for PE on my final report it was all they focussed on, if they had anything to say at all. It made me feel like even my best was not good enough. In a way I became a perfectionist. The mechanism of procrastination became perfect for me: in uni, when I got a 6 instead of the 8 I would've wanted, i could blame it on the fact that I procrastinated. This grade doesnt represent ME, it is not the best I can do, because I procrastinated. It can become the essential mechanism of self-protection for someone.

 

Gaining insight in your issues is important and will help motivate you to apply systems like Getting Things Done, lists, ...

[chelsea2011]

Have you been tested for ADHD? I had the same problem and didn't find out until I was in my 40's that I had ADD. If you do have it lists will not work. As a matter of fact, the typical organizational methods that work for people without it will not work for a person with ADD. You will only end up frustrated and mentally beat yourself up. There is a fabulous book called "ADD Ways to Organize Your Life." Find it, read it and see if it describes you. (It's a simple read ) If it does then go to your doctor and inquire about how you can get tested and put on meds if necessary. That's what I did and it changed my life.

 

A good question to ask yourself is, "out of sight out of mind?" Do you forget about things that are put in a drawer? And do you fret over putting something away out of fear you will forget about it? This a symptom of ADD. If this is the case then don't worry, there are ways you can organize your life that minimize these issues and more importantly, the frustration that results from them. ADDers have to use different methods when it comes to organization because the normal ones that work for everyone else will not work for them.

 

Get tested. There is a ton of info on the Internet as well as some free tests you can take to see if you are exhibiting signs of ADD. Check it out and see if it describes you and take that info with you to your doctor as a first step. Good luck!

[JDPT]

Have you been tested for ADHD? I had the same problem and didn't find out until I was in my 40's that I had ADD. If you do have it lists will not work. As a matter of fact, the typical organizational methods that work for people without it will not work for a person with ADD. You will only end up frustrated and mentally beat yourself up. There is a fabulous book called "ADD Ways to Organize Your Life." Find it, read it and see if it describes you. (It's a simple read ) If it does then go to your doctor and inquire about how you can get tested and put on meds if necessary. That's what I did and it changed my life.

 

A good question to ask yourself is, "out of sight out of mind?" Do you forget about things that are put in a drawer? And do you fret over putting something away out of fear you will forget about it? This a symptom of ADD. If this is the case then don't worry, there are ways you can organize your life that minimize these issues and more importantly, the frustration that results from them. ADDers have to use different methods when it comes to organization because the normal ones that work for everyone else will not work for them.

 

Get tested. There is a ton of info on the Internet as well as some free tests you can take to see if you are exhibiting signs of ADD. Check it out and see if it describes you and take that info with you to your doctor as a first step. Good luck!

 

I'll certainly look into that book. I've tried medication and it wasn't as effective as I thought it would be. I just finish my first semester of grad school with was utterly challenging to say the least specially towards the end of the semester. This was mostly due to the breakup which I was simultaneously dealing with. It certainly drained the life out of me then but gladly with tons of efforts the feelings have subsided. I plan on starting the next semester strong and finishing strong as well.

[SnapCracklePop]

I agree with those who have said lists. Totally helps me. I have to write things on a calendar (but then I am guilty of not looking at the calendar afterward)...

 

So lists, and I think to add to that, building a routine so that you are always checking in on that list and adding / updating it, and most importantly crossing things off.

[eotdevice]

What has worked for me.

 

Anything I can get done in 5 minutes or less I do right away. Be it at work or home.

 

For larger work tasks I prioritize into those that need to get done by a certain date and those that can wait. For the larger items I visualize what I need for that project and start to gather whatever info, tools, etc. is needed. This again breaks the larger task into small quick tasks. Then I set aside a certain time to work on the larger item and try to work on it continuously until it is complete.

 

As an aside, it is my understanding the largest group of people that are procrastinators are also perfectionists. I have learned I am my worst critic when it comes to something being 'perfect'.