5 ms·

Procrastination - wanting to accomplish things (technical things - learn new language, stack, technology) in my head but not actually starting/completing them.

Procrastination - wanting to accomplish things (technical things - learn new language, stack, technology) in my head but not actually starting/completing them. I've tried to minimize my hobbies and whatnot so that I'm not being torn in too many directions but I guess I just aspire to do more software dev-type activities (in my head) but after a day job related to that I can't quite muster up the energy (default to FO4, Youtube or guitar).

C1ph3rL0ck 8y ago
I had been dealing with this myself. It took a lot of work but I managed to break out of my rut of self fulfilling procrastination. I always let myself be overworked until I had no time for the things I wanted to do. So it wasn't my fault I didn't do any of things I wanted to do. But I managed to get myself straitened out at the end of last year and into this year. I got myself back on track, I've been reading a book a month, I study and passed my GRE, and I got into Grad School (classes just started a couple of weeks ago). You can pull yourself out of what ever is stopping you, I believe in you.
chrisshroba 8y ago
I also noticed that after a day at work, I don't really feel like doing anything other than browsing the internet or reading. What's worked for me is recognizing that and moving things I want to do to the morning instead. I'll go to bed at 9 or 10 and get up at 5 or 6, spend a couple hours in the morning working on whatever project is currently interesting to me, and then go to work. I do find that by the end of the work day I'm not as motivated/productive, but that's a trade-off I've accepted. Something like this could work for you too! Also, I find that I am 1000% more likely to do something if I tell someone else that I'm going to do it and ask them to hold me to it (and ask about my progress every so often). I wonder if this could help you to make more progress towards your goals? Feel free to respond to this or send me an email at my username @gmail if you want to chat more about this... I'm also looking for ways to conquer procrastination and get more done!
- newfie_bullet 8y ago
  Accountability is huge - don't have that for any of my projects so that's a great idea. Early mornings are a great idea too, but my default body clock is night owl, not morning person so I find it very tough to get up and do anything intensive in the morning. I'm sure that can be changed with time/effort, but it's a tough one (especially with a kid that might get up at 5 or 6 any given day)
- C1ph3rL0ck 8y ago
  Here's some reading I did that helped me: Zen Mind Beginners Mind - I'm not religious in the slightest but I knew a part of my problem was that I wasn't really being self aware. I had friend that was into meditation and swore it helped him be more self aware. So I picked up this book and read it along side using the Headspace app to get into meditation. I use it as a moment of calm and clarity, to regain my thoughts, and refocus. Especially when I feel procrastination kicking in. It helped me calm down and identify why I was procrastinating and often come up with a plan to deal with whatever was making me want to procrastinate. I found I was often thinking or focusing or stressing about something else instead of focusing on me and my wants. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1590308492/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1590308492/ref=oh_aui_deta... The Now Habit - This was a book a friend of mine recommended to me. They said it helped them breakout of the rut they felt they were stuck in. It definitely helped me a bit. At the very least it helped me identify the things I wanted to do and do them. While also enjoying myself with the "Guilt Free Play" he talks about being important. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001QNVP7M/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001QNVP7M/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?... 7 Habits of Highly Successful People: This book was another friend recommendation, that helped me focus on and deal with my own internal issues that was encouraging my procrastination. I was able to start identifying them and working on them. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01069X4H0/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01069X4H0/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?... It took me about 6 months of diligent work to get myself out of my procrastinating funk and get myself to a place where I was starting to be happy with what I did. I still occasionally break these books out and go over them, I still meditate to help me keep focused, etc. There isn't some quick fix to deal with it, but I believe you can learn to manage and deal with your procrastination like I have.
xchaotic 8y ago
simple first step would be to do the extra things in the morning rather than after work. It's no surprise that you're mentally tired after a work day.

C1ph3rL0ck 8y ago

I had been dealing with this myself. It took a lot of work but I managed to break out of my rut of self fulfilling procrastination. I always let myself be overworked until I had no time for the things I wanted to do. So it wasn't my fault I didn't do any of things I wanted to do. But I managed to get myself straitened out at the end of last year and into this year. I got myself back on track, I've been reading a book a month, I study and passed my GRE, and I got into Grad School (classes just started a couple of weeks ago). You can pull yourself out of what ever is stopping you, I believe in you.

chrisshroba 8y ago

I also noticed that after a day at work, I don't really feel like doing anything other than browsing the internet or reading. What's worked for me is recognizing that and moving things I want to do to the morning instead. I'll go to bed at 9 or 10 and get up at 5 or 6, spend a couple hours in the morning working on whatever project is currently interesting to me, and then go to work. I do find that by the end of the work day I'm not as motivated/productive, but that's a trade-off I've accepted. Something like this could work for you too! Also, I find that I am 1000% more likely to do something if I tell someone else that I'm going to do it and ask them to hold me to it (and ask about my progress every so often). I wonder if this could help you to make more progress towards your goals? Feel free to respond to this or send me an email at my username @gmail if you want to chat more about this... I'm also looking for ways to conquer procrastination and get more done!

newfie_bullet 8y ago
Accountability is huge - don't have that for any of my projects so that's a great idea. Early mornings are a great idea too, but my default body clock is night owl, not morning person so I find it very tough to get up and do anything intensive in the morning. I'm sure that can be changed with time/effort, but it's a tough one (especially with a kid that might get up at 5 or 6 any given day)
C1ph3rL0ck 8y ago
Here's some reading I did that helped me: Zen Mind Beginners Mind - I'm not religious in the slightest but I knew a part of my problem was that I wasn't really being self aware. I had friend that was into meditation and swore it helped him be more self aware. So I picked up this book and read it along side using the Headspace app to get into meditation. I use it as a moment of calm and clarity, to regain my thoughts, and refocus. Especially when I feel procrastination kicking in. It helped me calm down and identify why I was procrastinating and often come up with a plan to deal with whatever was making me want to procrastinate. I found I was often thinking or focusing or stressing about something else instead of focusing on me and my wants. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1590308492/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1590308492/ref=oh_aui_deta... The Now Habit - This was a book a friend of mine recommended to me. They said it helped them breakout of the rut they felt they were stuck in. It definitely helped me a bit. At the very least it helped me identify the things I wanted to do and do them. While also enjoying myself with the "Guilt Free Play" he talks about being important. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001QNVP7M/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001QNVP7M/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?... 7 Habits of Highly Successful People: This book was another friend recommendation, that helped me focus on and deal with my own internal issues that was encouraging my procrastination. I was able to start identifying them and working on them. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01069X4H0/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01069X4H0/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?... It took me about 6 months of diligent work to get myself out of my procrastinating funk and get myself to a place where I was starting to be happy with what I did. I still occasionally break these books out and go over them, I still meditate to help me keep focused, etc. There isn't some quick fix to deal with it, but I believe you can learn to manage and deal with your procrastination like I have.

xchaotic 8y ago

simple first step would be to do the extra things in the morning rather than after work. It's no surprise that you're mentally tired after a work day.