I always put everything off for later so i end up with my house uncleaned, books unread, meals uncooked, programming not learned etc. Could anyone offer advice on how to stop procrastinating?
Some techniques that work for me most of the time (but clearly not right now):
- Timer A: I am currently procrastinating, and will allow myself to do that for 5 more minutes. Then work.
- Timer B: I am working but it’s hard to keep going. I push to work now, and in 30 minutes (or after completing subtask X) I am taking a 15 minute break.
- Distraction starvation: Allow procrastination but take away the habitual distractions. Okay, break from work but no touching phone.
- Planning session: Okay take a break. Lie down if you want to. Use the break to mentally verbalize and visualize what you are supposed to do next, in what order, how, and why.
How do you hold yourself accountable to timers/time blocks? I always just shrug them off because the timer isn’t the boss of me and keep doing the distracting thing
By invoking the powers of stress, panic and guilt mostly.
I also use the timer method with a reward. rinse and repeat.
as far cooking meals. i’ve started chopping veggies etc on the weekend. not full meal prep, rather preparation of some of the ingredients etc.
my mantra is “discipline to keep up with my tasks is being kind to my future self”.
a big help for me was "cognitive rehearsal ". as i try to get to sleep i “rehearse " my next day tasks. get up this time, wear these clothes, whats for breakfast”. this really helps me organize my thoughts.
Set a 10 minute timer, tell yourself to get started and you can take a break after.
Find ways to reward yourself for accomplishing things. Made dinner? Have a nice dessert or watch a new show.
Find alternative ways to achieve the same or similar goals. Struggling to find time to read? Try audiobooks. Want to learn to program? Find a YouTuber you like and follow along with their tutorial.
If you’re like me, then you need to find ways to work with yourself instead of trying to force it in ways that don’t mesh.
When I want to make sure I do something I create an event in google calendar for when I want to do it. So the act of deciding to do the thing doesn’t have to be linked to the pain of actually doing it. Then when that time comes and I get the event reminder I can’t be like “I’ll do it some other time” because this is the very specific time I decided to do it, and if not now when? Not foolproof, I blow through a reminder event or push it back to another time once in a while, but it helps.
@psychothumbs @kapx132
I wish that strategy helped me, but it usually doesn’t. Having #PDA means that I see that calender appointment as a demand, making it even less likely that I’ll do the thing ☹️Hmm that is too bad. For some reason the fact that I am the one making the demand seems to short circuit that oppositional feeling for me.
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I was procrastinating showering by browsing Lemmy, this comment made me get up and do it. Thank you.
We experience each moment as it comes. We are bound to our patterns by habits, and the neural pathways adjust accordingly to your experiences.
At any moment at all, you have the authority to make different choices. Experiment with moments, make new choices, and take care of your body. Your body relys on you and vice versa. Do what makes you feel good.
