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External pressures help. I've been trying to learn more about data science through MOOCs but starting a Masters degree is what really forces me to spend my time

by dasboth 11y ago

External pressures help. I've been trying to learn more about data science through MOOCs but starting a Masters degree is what really forces me to spend my time engaging with it rather than procrastinating. It's an extreme case but you can create external pressure for most things. For example if you're trying to stop procrastinating on a side project, set up a demo with someone in 2 weeks' time and you'll suddenly find it easier to focus. YMMV of course, but it works for me!

dazc 11y ago
> "External pressures help..." They can but not always. I've used this tactic often, placing myself in difficult situations sometimes forces me to act when nothing else will. One time I was out of work, all I had to do was make a few phone calls but I didn't. I kept putting it off until tomorrow; then tomorrow turned into next week, next month and so on... To cut a long story short I stopped paying the rent thinking hassle from my landlord would force me into action. As luck turned out he had his own problems and collecting the rent wasn't a priority for him. 2 years later I was in a very embarrassing situation, as was he. It worked out OK that time but it shouldn't have. If you suffer from procrastination FFS just accept you're acting out of fear and confront it. The longer you leave things the worse they get.
- dasboth 11y ago
  Fair enough, my advice and experience relate to things that aren't of such consequence as what not paying rent could cause. "Just confront it" is something you have to figure out yourself as a procrastinator. You can read all the advice in the world, but you have to actually come to the realisation yourself that your only option is to "do things". Once you've done one thing you have a reference point to look back to.
  - dazc 11y ago
    I didn't mean to detract from your comments, which are entirely valid. It just resonated with me that I have previously adopted an extreme version of this tactic and thought other people may do the same?
RogtamBar 11y ago
Is there some organisations, say, like Quitters, Inc, but against procrastination?

by dasboth 11y ago

dazc 11y ago

> "External pressures help..." They can but not always. I've used this tactic often, placing myself in difficult situations sometimes forces me to act when nothing else will. One time I was out of work, all I had to do was make a few phone calls but I didn't. I kept putting it off until tomorrow; then tomorrow turned into next week, next month and so on... To cut a long story short I stopped paying the rent thinking hassle from my landlord would force me into action. As luck turned out he had his own problems and collecting the rent wasn't a priority for him. 2 years later I was in a very embarrassing situation, as was he. It worked out OK that time but it shouldn't have. If you suffer from procrastination FFS just accept you're acting out of fear and confront it. The longer you leave things the worse they get.

dasboth 11y ago
Fair enough, my advice and experience relate to things that aren't of such consequence as what not paying rent could cause. "Just confront it" is something you have to figure out yourself as a procrastinator. You can read all the advice in the world, but you have to actually come to the realisation yourself that your only option is to "do things". Once you've done one thing you have a reference point to look back to.
- dazc 11y ago
  I didn't mean to detract from your comments, which are entirely valid. It just resonated with me that I have previously adopted an extreme version of this tactic and thought other people may do the same?

RogtamBar 11y ago

Is there some organisations, say, like Quitters, Inc, but against procrastination?