3 ms·

Great piece. I'm also one of those people who reads lots of productivity books, and tries out lots of tools. But I've come to realise the key to productivity is

Great piece. I'm also one of those people who reads lots of productivity books, and tries out lots of tools. But I've come to realise the key to productivity is fairly simple - make sure you're really enjoying what you do. Then you'll get up in the morning and want to do it. You'll be able to focus. You won't get distracted by Twitter or whatever. But giving yourself deadlines is a great way to combat perfectionism. You can be very focused, but if you're being too much of a perfectionist you're not being as productive as you could be.

albert_e 3y ago
This sounds like good advice -- but I am also trying to figure out why I still procrastinate hopelessly on projects that I do enjoy. Is it merely that I want/enjoy the "result" (feeling of accomplishment) more than the "process"? Namely I have just become lazy?. Or is some undiagnosed ADHD tripping me up at every step I take. I intend to meet a therapist soon and hope to find out. 40s is late but better than never I guess. Grew up in a country where mental health doesnt get any air time in daily life. Still figuring out whom to approach and how.
- james-bcn 3y ago
  Ha well I'm 53 and I'm still trying to get better... There is a guy who presents on LinkedIn learning called Dave Crenshaw. He has a lot of good techniques and claims he developed them to conquer his ADHD.
  - albert_e 3y ago
    Thanks. Luckily I have LinkedIn Learning through my employer subscription. Found his time management courses, bookmarked, and started one.
- mklepaczewski 3y ago
  Words like "intend" and "soon" are your enemies. How about you do it right now? At least set a deadline in your calendar to do it. However, chances are it won't have the desired effect. One great method of dealing with a task is to delegate it to another person. Maybe ask someone to remind you that you need to see a therapist?
  - albert_e 3y ago
    Thanks -- you have a good point. Next time I look at my HN threads, I should have already set the first appointment.
- nicbou 3y ago
  One thing that helped me was to realise that procrastination is usually fear or apprehension. Chunking tasks and reducing project start time helped.
  - albert_e 3y ago
    Indeed. Like many people say, starting something is half the battle. For example I am currently postponing for days, a 5 minute phone call that I am supposed to make to a colleague. Not even big stakes -- just a new topic i am supposed to initiate work on. There is a negative outcome possible -- blame on me for slacking -- if I don't do this. Still I am struggling to make myself pickup the phone and make that call. Rest of my duties as a professional and as a family member seem to be going one fine while this item keeps getting kicked down the road. 2 days and counting. I don't have any clue why.
bayofpigs 3y ago
[dead]

albert_e 3y ago

This sounds like good advice -- but I am also trying to figure out why I still procrastinate hopelessly on projects that I do enjoy. Is it merely that I want/enjoy the "result" (feeling of accomplishment) more than the "process"? Namely I have just become lazy?. Or is some undiagnosed ADHD tripping me up at every step I take. I intend to meet a therapist soon and hope to find out. 40s is late but better than never I guess. Grew up in a country where mental health doesnt get any air time in daily life. Still figuring out whom to approach and how.

james-bcn 3y ago
Ha well I'm 53 and I'm still trying to get better... There is a guy who presents on LinkedIn learning called Dave Crenshaw. He has a lot of good techniques and claims he developed them to conquer his ADHD.
- albert_e 3y ago
  Thanks. Luckily I have LinkedIn Learning through my employer subscription. Found his time management courses, bookmarked, and started one.
mklepaczewski 3y ago
Words like "intend" and "soon" are your enemies. How about you do it right now? At least set a deadline in your calendar to do it. However, chances are it won't have the desired effect. One great method of dealing with a task is to delegate it to another person. Maybe ask someone to remind you that you need to see a therapist?
- albert_e 3y ago
  Thanks -- you have a good point. Next time I look at my HN threads, I should have already set the first appointment.
nicbou 3y ago
One thing that helped me was to realise that procrastination is usually fear or apprehension. Chunking tasks and reducing project start time helped.
- albert_e 3y ago
  Indeed. Like many people say, starting something is half the battle. For example I am currently postponing for days, a 5 minute phone call that I am supposed to make to a colleague. Not even big stakes -- just a new topic i am supposed to initiate work on. There is a negative outcome possible -- blame on me for slacking -- if I don't do this. Still I am struggling to make myself pickup the phone and make that call. Rest of my duties as a professional and as a family member seem to be going one fine while this item keeps getting kicked down the road. 2 days and counting. I don't have any clue why.

bayofpigs 3y ago

[dead]