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Ditto. A common problem for me is starting a project, then becoming scared that I'll be inadequate, and not complete it properly. This causes me to give up on t

by 14113 13y ago

Ditto. A common problem for me is starting a project, then becoming scared that I'll be inadequate, and not complete it properly. This causes me to give up on the project, and I lose out on any experience I might have got. Because I've failed to complete the project, I feel even WORSE going into the next one. It's a vicious cycle.

ahmadss 13y ago
Consider reading a book called "The Now Habit". The author discusses fear of success/failure and the inability to finish projects, and deems that these fears are what cause us to procrastinate. Then he provides a plan/approach/framework to overcome these fears.
- gxs 13y ago
  Thanks for the book recommendation. Ordered this on Amazon. This was my problem all growing up. I did well on the first exam, then fizzled out every exam after. I wouldn't study out of fear that I wouldn't do as well again. Anyway, I'll check out the book thanks again!
  - nashequilibrium 13y ago
    If you want a quick overview: Kindle notes and highlights https://kindle.amazon.com/work/the-now-habit-procrastination-ebook/B000B18LN6/B003SHERX8/posts https://kindle.amazon.com/work/the-now-habit-procrastination... powerpoint presentation http://hashref.com/summaries/TheNowHabit.pdf http://hashref.com/summaries/TheNowHabit.pdf 3 part youtube video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=63Si3Gb1WSg http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=63Si3Gb1WSg
  - clbrook 13y ago
    I'd recommend Mindset by Carol Dweck. It discusses growth mindset vs. fixed mindset. It sounds quite pertinent for your fear of not doing as well again.
    - gxs 13y ago
      Thanks - ordered this as well. I've been on a self-help book binge. I shudder to think the ads I'll be seeing from google and amazon.
- eterpstra 13y ago
  I second this book recommendation. I read it a few years ago and find myself referring back to it quite often for inspiration when I'm feeling unproductive and very procrastnaty.
mathgladiator 13y ago
i have the problem of starting a project, finishing up the "cool/interesting" aspect, and then letting it rot... http://jeffrey.io/wall-of-shame http://jeffrey.io/wall-of-shame
- pud 13y ago
  I have that problem to. I've found that the best motivator for finishing the boring parts is to have real users. After receiving your 20th "I forgot my password" email, you're sure to build that reset-password feature.
  - vidarh 13y ago
    Or you blind yourself to it and learn to just treat those tasks as one more excuse to not do the real stuff. I'm battling that at work: Many people see a flood of notifications etc. and disengage totally - if it's not causing a crisis, then clearly it does not need to be dealt with right away, and so it gets put aside if it's something boring. I've forced myself to forgo almost all my mail filters and "consume" the raw stream of notification e-mails (thousands a day) and start each day with picking a few of the noisiest ones and addressing the root causes (and where possible doing so in a way that can be applied more broadly), but it's oh so tempting to just waste time on the superficial symptoms that are easy and quick to deal with individually, but will eat all my time if I let them.

by 14113 13y ago

ahmadss 13y ago

Consider reading a book called "The Now Habit". The author discusses fear of success/failure and the inability to finish projects, and deems that these fears are what cause us to procrastinate. Then he provides a plan/approach/framework to overcome these fears.

gxs 13y ago
Thanks for the book recommendation. Ordered this on Amazon. This was my problem all growing up. I did well on the first exam, then fizzled out every exam after. I wouldn't study out of fear that I wouldn't do as well again. Anyway, I'll check out the book thanks again!
- nashequilibrium 13y ago
  If you want a quick overview: Kindle notes and highlights https://kindle.amazon.com/work/the-now-habit-procrastination-ebook/B000B18LN6/B003SHERX8/posts https://kindle.amazon.com/work/the-now-habit-procrastination... powerpoint presentation http://hashref.com/summaries/TheNowHabit.pdf http://hashref.com/summaries/TheNowHabit.pdf 3 part youtube video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=63Si3Gb1WSg http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=63Si3Gb1WSg
- clbrook 13y ago
  I'd recommend Mindset by Carol Dweck. It discusses growth mindset vs. fixed mindset. It sounds quite pertinent for your fear of not doing as well again.
  - gxs 13y ago
    Thanks - ordered this as well. I've been on a self-help book binge. I shudder to think the ads I'll be seeing from google and amazon.
eterpstra 13y ago
I second this book recommendation. I read it a few years ago and find myself referring back to it quite often for inspiration when I'm feeling unproductive and very procrastnaty.

mathgladiator 13y ago

i have the problem of starting a project, finishing up the "cool/interesting" aspect, and then letting it rot... http://jeffrey.io/wall-of-shame http://jeffrey.io/wall-of-shame

pud 13y ago
I have that problem to. I've found that the best motivator for finishing the boring parts is to have real users. After receiving your 20th "I forgot my password" email, you're sure to build that reset-password feature.
- vidarh 13y ago
  Or you blind yourself to it and learn to just treat those tasks as one more excuse to not do the real stuff. I'm battling that at work: Many people see a flood of notifications etc. and disengage totally - if it's not causing a crisis, then clearly it does not need to be dealt with right away, and so it gets put aside if it's something boring. I've forced myself to forgo almost all my mail filters and "consume" the raw stream of notification e-mails (thousands a day) and start each day with picking a few of the noisiest ones and addressing the root causes (and where possible doing so in a way that can be applied more broadly), but it's oh so tempting to just waste time on the superficial symptoms that are easy and quick to deal with individually, but will eat all my time if I let them.