Post AVtRplpX7GO1EnZFDc by louis@emacs.ch
(DIR) More posts by louis@emacs.ch
(DIR) Post #AVtRplpX7GO1EnZFDc by louis@emacs.ch
2023-05-21T22:18:50Z
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Procrastinated for weeks on writing a technical concept for [a system] for a client - with all the knowledge basically already in my head. After pressure got to a point where I could barely finish it in time and ran out of anything else I should rather do and finally started working on it, I even find pleasure in getting it done! 🤔Procrastination is a rather daily issue for me (probably the very reason why this Mastodon instance exists 😎). Yet, in our society [more specifically: in my country], I see that this issue is rarely addressed and methods and skills are not taught to deal with this. So now I found a topic to procrastinate again by thinking about procrastination itself. Is this meta-procrastinating?Are you impacted by this, too? Which techniques have you found to manage it? What are your thoughts: is procrastination a symptom, a disorder, a character trait or just plain laziness?#procrastination #personality #selfimprovement
(DIR) Post #AVtTCPgRirO5ALg5ey by cthulhu@emacs.ch
2023-05-21T22:34:09Z
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@louis Interesting 👇https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Procrastination 🤔
(DIR) Post #AVtTKqmCsLkjVfOZkW by grtcdr@emacs.ch
2023-05-21T22:35:41Z
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@louis Procrastination is definitely a real issue for me, up to the point where some really simple tasks can sit for months in my agenda without seeing any real progress.
(DIR) Post #AVtYxAfVriMbykMAam by billday@williamsonday.buzz
2023-05-21T23:38:37Z
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@louis The Waking Up app has an interesting discussion on procrastination as an issue of emotional self-regulation. Basically, your present self deceives itself into thinking you will want to do tomorrow what you do not want to do today. “Procrastination is a voluntary choice to delay doing something even though you know it is not in your best interest to do so.” I am ambivalent about Sam Harris, but his app is interesting. https://dynamic.wakingup.com/pack/PK0AA14?source=content%20share&share_id=AF791AE4&code=SC26FB456
(DIR) Post #AVtmddOijwtyeC53K4 by pfpoitras@fosstodon.org
2023-05-22T02:11:58Z
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@louis I used to procrastinate a lot. I was able to decrease that by having a set location for work. A desk where if I am there, I am working. Cuts out the procrastination by a lot.That and caffeine.
(DIR) Post #AVu5Bqa81jxoYcscKW by skybert@emacs.ch
2023-05-22T05:39:49Z
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@louis becoming a parent had a dramatic effect on overall effectiveness and focus 😂
(DIR) Post #AVu8Xo5SHaoj3NhBei by nthcdr@emacs.ch
2023-05-22T06:17:26Z
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@louis I'm a professional procrastinator myself. But I find that it helps knowing that this good feeling will come once you start working on whatever you have been holding off.All things considered I find procrastination is not as bad a disorder as not being able to finish the work that has to be done. I'm very focused on getting things done once I've gotten started.
(DIR) Post #AVu9k4sZm7j2Yy5QPo by thees@emacs.ch
2023-05-22T06:30:51Z
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@louis I made it a habit to write more drafts, either if it’s code or technical writing. It doesn’t solve procrastination as an issue for me, but mitigates the impact as being able to work with my drafts when a deadline approaches does make solving a specific task in time easier. If I have a hard time focusing I’d at least spend 5-10m writing a on-topic draft/note down; this either leads to me picking up the task and making significant progress or at least me having worked on something for 10m so there’s at least something I can base further work on. Without much surprise I use org-mode with capture templates and org-roam for this.
(DIR) Post #AVvF7LTevKiLd9J22a by jsc@emacs.ch
2023-05-22T19:05:47Z
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@louis In my case, I believe that procrastination is a way to test my self-concept: deep down, starting something that takes 5 days when there are only 3 left is a challenge. It's also a reminder that I shouldn't rely too much on myself when walking on the edge, because a single misstep can be decisive. It's not something I do deliberately, and I've also tried many times to understand why I procrastinate when I could easily avoid it.On the other hand, doing something that takes 5 days in 3 forces you to approach it differently. The usual path won't get you there ontime, so you have to find a new one, avoiding mechanical work. I believe there's a relationship between procrastination and creativity.Furthermore, I think there's also a rebellious component against deadlines, although personally, I have nothing against them (in fact, they're the only thing preventing procrastination from becoming 'ad infinitum'). It's like when the danger of the edge pulls us. Curiosity. Peering into disaster and feeling how delicate the border that separates us from it is.In fact, I would enjoy procrastination a lot if it weren't for the amount of adrenaline, nerves, fear, and guilt it entails. But even when that little hell passes, the feeling of relief is a triumph in itself.
(DIR) Post #AVwRE1Xaq4d8Qw3b2e by burnthekernel@emacs.ch
2023-05-23T08:56:09Z
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@louis I am an elite level procrastinator 😆 (A side effect of ADHD, diagnosed late at age 49). I have also been working on solving this for decades (when I did not know that I am ADHD). I can finally say that I have a _slight_ grip on it. When dealing with procrastination, just recognize that it is not laziness, self disciple, etc. Don't try to solve it head-on. Recognize that the problem lies elsewhere and so you need a work-around. Every situation is different and every person is different - you will need to try many things and (like me) have a few tools you can use based on the situation. It also helps if you can figure out the cause of procrastination in a situation. Generally procrastination is an emotional issue (which eventually becomes ingrained as a bad habit).Here are a few brief nuggets:1. Stuff worth reading/watching: - Keven Hart: [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1dKdmuQ7s2o][Energy Shots! with Kevin Hart: Coming to the Headspace app in January - YouTube (less than 2 minutes long)]] Procrastination happens because you let fear build up. Then the more you think abut it, the more it piles up until it is so big and horrifying that you don't want to think about it. The key is to recognize those thoughts a soon as they happen and talk yourself out of it. And do what you actually need to do. - Structured Procrastination: 1995 essay by Stanford professor John Perry. Read this brief essay if you don't want to read the book: https://www.structuredprocrastination.com/. Org-mode is really handy for implementing this. - Procrastination Priority: Dan Sullivan. Many YouTube videos. - [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K-TW2Chpz4k][Leverage Dopamine to Overcome Procrastination & Optimize Effort | Huberman Lab Podcast - YouTube]]
(DIR) Post #AVwRGSwztvfm1S6W6S by burnthekernel@emacs.ch
2023-05-23T08:56:39Z
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@louis 2. The main reason a person procrastinates:Procrastination is caused by negative emotions. You don't procrastinate from a specific event, but from the emotion that event causes you to have. For example, when you think of getting fit, you feel dread/fear/doubt/guilt/boredom - i.e. negative emotions. This is what causes procrastination. The brain is also designed to avoid negative emotions. The brain will rationalize not doing it or distract you from doing it. When you think the consequence of failing are far greater than they are, you start to procrastinate. Most people only act when the fear of inaction is greater than the fear of acting (and therefore you end up doing the bare minimum to survive).[[https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32008351/][Prior Day Negative Affect Influences Current Day Procrastination: A Lagged Daily Diary Analysis]]We can get trapped in a loop of procrastinating. We procrastinate, then feel bad about it, causing you to procrastinate again.[[https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18156588/][Doing unto future selves as you would do unto others: psychological distance and decision making]]You will do short term activities that will numb your negative emotions (that you feel about procrastination), which will cause you a lot more pain in the future.To avoid procrastination:- Recognize that procrastination is an emotional problem.- Think about the task with a very logical sense.- Don't over complicate the task (and create self doubt).
(DIR) Post #AVwRJTjJSaq3JA8jEe by burnthekernel@emacs.ch
2023-05-23T08:57:10Z
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@louis 3. Micro habits to help avoid procrastination- Start working on project/task at the end of the day the day before instead of first thing the next morning. Just a few minutes is fine. The goal is to familiarize yourself with the task. This helps get over the fear of the unknown.- Start with the hardest task first.- The two minute rule. (Like GTD David Allen). This helps avoid worrying about something that can be done and over quickly.- The five (or 10) minute rule. Output-based goal (something that is about the end result, something that has to be produced) - can be scary and vague as your don't know how to get started. Input-based goal (small, easy to track and attainable). So work on a small, clearly defined, task of a bigger project/goal for 5-10 minutes. Keep going if the project/task doesn't feel so difficult anymore. (Just get started...).- A switch in scenery. If you are in a stuck mindset, go somewhere else. Go to an environment that makes you feel creative or relaxed.- Reframe the activity as fun. Find at least one thing that is fun or enjoyable about the activity. Think about the activity and its benefits.- Go for a walk/bike ride for a few minutes. Get out of your head and restart the task when you return.