Procrastination and getting things done
Discussion
How do people get things done?
I won't go into to many details but needless to say I've been suffering with depression for a while. It's now at a point that it's crippling me as a human being to get things done. Getting out of bed, working and generally doing anything takes a lot of energy that I don't seem to have. One of the things that seems to be worse is the inability to get things done.
If I did everything that I saw in my head or intended to do then I'd be fine. But I procrastinate. Everything can happen tomorrow or later and it never really does. I just wondered what people do to get the stuff done.
I won't go into to many details but needless to say I've been suffering with depression for a while. It's now at a point that it's crippling me as a human being to get things done. Getting out of bed, working and generally doing anything takes a lot of energy that I don't seem to have. One of the things that seems to be worse is the inability to get things done.
If I did everything that I saw in my head or intended to do then I'd be fine. But I procrastinate. Everything can happen tomorrow or later and it never really does. I just wondered what people do to get the stuff done.
How badly is affecting your life? For instance, is your not getting things done having an adverse effect on your family/job?
If not, then you are suffering motivation issues and the cure may well lie in finding something to gee yourself up such as rewarding yourself when you have completed certain tasks, and denying yourself something you like when you haven't.
If it is having an effect on loved ones and/or employment then it sounds like you need to talk to your doctor.
If not, then you are suffering motivation issues and the cure may well lie in finding something to gee yourself up such as rewarding yourself when you have completed certain tasks, and denying yourself something you like when you haven't.
If it is having an effect on loved ones and/or employment then it sounds like you need to talk to your doctor.
hman said:
I found this useful:-
http://waitbutwhy.com/2013/10/why-procrastinators-...
and
http://waitbutwhy.com/2013/11/how-to-beat-procrast...
Excellent links. http://waitbutwhy.com/2013/10/why-procrastinators-...
and
http://waitbutwhy.com/2013/11/how-to-beat-procrast...
el stovey said:
hman said:
Excellent links. singlecoil said:
el stovey said:
hman said:
Excellent links. el stovey said:
hman said:
Excellent links. I'm not a procrastinator, or at least I don't think I am..
I just spent 10 minutes scanning the first two links, looking at pictures of gorillas, and looking at the aerial view of the hotel I stayed in whilst in India and retracing the drive to the golf course I went to whilst there to watch the Asian Open.
I think it might be a good idea for me to take a better look later.
I just spent 10 minutes scanning the first two links, looking at pictures of gorillas, and looking at the aerial view of the hotel I stayed in whilst in India and retracing the drive to the golf course I went to whilst there to watch the Asian Open.
I think it might be a good idea for me to take a better look later.
I find writing a list of 5 things that need doing in the day really helps. On a bad day they could just be 'have a shower' and the such. Don't aim for stuff that'll take hours, just small jobs and perhaps something you've been putting off for a while.
Little by little the list can get longer but never put too much down as you'll feel crap for not finishing it and then it gets worse as you've no intention f finishing it. You can always add to the list as the day goes on if you've cracked it quickly but don't over do it.
Personally it really helps. A fully ticked list is a thing of joy.
Little by little the list can get longer but never put too much down as you'll feel crap for not finishing it and then it gets worse as you've no intention f finishing it. You can always add to the list as the day goes on if you've cracked it quickly but don't over do it.
Personally it really helps. A fully ticked list is a thing of joy.
sirtyro said:
How do people get things done?
I won't go into to many details but needless to say I've been suffering with depression for a while. It's now at a point that it's crippling me as a human being to get things done. Getting out of bed, working and generally doing anything takes a lot of energy that I don't seem to have. One of the things that seems to be worse is the inability to get things done.
If I did everything that I saw in my head or intended to do then I'd be fine. But I procrastinate. Everything can happen tomorrow or later and it never really does. I just wondered what people do to get the stuff done.
A technique that some find useful is the following:I won't go into to many details but needless to say I've been suffering with depression for a while. It's now at a point that it's crippling me as a human being to get things done. Getting out of bed, working and generally doing anything takes a lot of energy that I don't seem to have. One of the things that seems to be worse is the inability to get things done.
If I did everything that I saw in my head or intended to do then I'd be fine. But I procrastinate. Everything can happen tomorrow or later and it never really does. I just wondered what people do to get the stuff done.
Thought: What am I trying to avoid?
Thought: What do I want to achieve?
Thought: What's the next step?
Action: Take that step.
Repeat.
So in your circumstances:
What am I trying to avoid?
FEELING BAD ABOUT MYSELF BECAUSE THE CAR NEEDS WASHING AND I CANNOT BE BOTHERED.
What am I trying to achieve?
WASHING THE CAR.
What's the next step?
FILLING A BUCKET WITH SOAPY WATER.
Action: FILL A BUCKET WITH SOPAY WATER.
REPEAT
Once you've overcome inertia, progress becomes easier and you may find that the success of washing the car enthuses you to mow the lawn / vacuum the lounge / write the report etc etc.
singlecoil said:
el stovey said:
hman said:
Excellent links. I never knew there was a name for it, I thought it was just me being lazy. When I think back to college and to a certain extent my early working life the opportunities I wasted and missed out on just because of that Instant Gratification Monkey!
RizzoTheRat said:
el stovey said:
hman said:
Excellent links. 
sirtyro said:
How do people get things done?
I won't go into to many details but needless to say I've been suffering with depression for a while. It's now at a point that it's crippling me as a human being to get things done. Getting out of bed, working and generally doing anything takes a lot of energy that I don't seem to have. One of the things that seems to be worse is the inability to get things done.
If I did everything that I saw in my head or intended to do then I'd be fine. But I procrastinate. Everything can happen tomorrow or later and it never really does. I just wondered what people do to get the stuff done.
Join in the depression thread and take it from there maybe. Thanks for starting this thread though, it's me all over.I won't go into to many details but needless to say I've been suffering with depression for a while. It's now at a point that it's crippling me as a human being to get things done. Getting out of bed, working and generally doing anything takes a lot of energy that I don't seem to have. One of the things that seems to be worse is the inability to get things done.
If I did everything that I saw in my head or intended to do then I'd be fine. But I procrastinate. Everything can happen tomorrow or later and it never really does. I just wondered what people do to get the stuff done.
Thanks for the response everybody. I think a lot of it is to do with fear, anxiety and really the only way to deal with it is start with the small things. I try and run as often as possible to get exercise for what I'm fighting and I saw a quote from a NASA engineer that said the hardest part of launching a shuttle is in the first few moments....getting that momentum, once it starts to move then it's easy and its the same for me running....the first 1k is always the hardest. Maybe it's the same with other jobs as well....just need the momentum and get things done.
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