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A far more effective method in my experience has been to focus not on the end product, about which one has a feeling of dread, but on the process. Frame the tas
by afarrell 10y ago
A far more effective method in my experience has been to focus not on the end product, about which one has a feeling of dread, but on the process. Frame the task as "spend N minutes doing X."
Of course, there is the possibility that you start doing X and just find you don't know what to do with yourself in those minutes. That's useful information! You've just discovered that you don't know enough about the task to get started. Now your task is to write a coherent request for help/clarification.
- sampl 10y agoI've noticed this principle come up in the pomodoro technique and the "Learning How to Learn" course on Coursera. Not sure how applicable it is outside of just-do-it work (paperwork, emails, etc) though. I've used it in my design work, for example, but I'm concerned I'll spend too many cycles on spinning my wheels on rather than thinking deeply about the problem and solving it simply.
- afarrell 10y agoI recently watched the lectures from that class. I wish I'd taken it 8 years ago because it was a clear and concise summary of a bunch of lessons I'd learned through much harder ways. As far as thinking deeply about the problem, I've found that is helped by first getting your brain into the task by doing a pomodoro and, if you still feel the desire to procrastinate, either talking it through with someone else, going for a walk, or both.