Procrastination

Posted 05-05-2011 at 12:52 AM by Aquarius_Girl
Updated 01-10-2012 at 08:02 AM by Aquarius_Girl

Is procrastination a psychological problem or a habit?

I get nervous when I see a huge pile of work lying ahead
of me! I feel the nervousness in my body, my thinking
process slows down. I start finding excuses of postponing
the task. I feel the need to sleep. I start looking out
for the rest of the non-so-important jobs and can't
get them completed too, since at the back of my mind is a
heavy load of the major task which I am yet to start!

I tell myself to break the tasks into small parts and then
get to them one by one, but again even this process makes me
slower. The task which should not take more than 1 hour,
consumes the whole day!

When I sit back and remember the time I have wasted "thinking"
about the things and not doing anything, I feel terrified!
My studies have suffered a lot (and are still suffering) due
to the same. I always feel, yes tomorrow will be a new day
but alas, tomorrow never comes, don't I know that? I do, but
my mind is currently out of my control!! I think I need to
start out with the meditation and Yoga, before they throw me
out of the job.

I am yet to figure out what's the root cause of all this?
To which kind of people does this happen? If I know the cause,
perhaps then I might figure out a way to get myself out of the
current situation!

Posted in Personal Ramblings

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	I believe this is a problem for everyone, some people handle it better than others. Some look out and see a bunch of trees. Some look out and see a forest.
	Posted 05-05-2011 at 04:56 AM by Larry Webb

I wonder what must be the reason that some people see a forest? It be something related to the upbringing, perhaps.

Posted 05-05-2011 at 05:01 AM by Aquarius_Girl

Speaking about forests and nature... usually fresh air is good for me

I spend most of my time sitting home, as remote sysadmin. I often feel the same when I receive big task, and then I sometimes spend around day or two (if that's not critical to be done in one day) doing something I like: reading books, watching anime, idling...

That seems to help me, though as far as I know, the most effective way to regain "working" state is to go for a walk in a countryside. After day spent out of the city and away from computers I really feel like reborn and I likely will get my work done quite fast no matter how hard is it: in fact it's more a matter of time, that's the thing most of us afraid

So, I'd say this issue can be caused by missing nature. For me, that's definitely true. Could be the same for you, maybe, I don't know

Posted 05-05-2011 at 06:40 AM by Web31337 Web31337 is offline

	Web31337, Thanks for the encouraging comments We don't have a forest around here, I live in an industrial area, with buildings around me. The places with natural beauty are far away from here Not sure, perhaps having a morning walk might help.
	Posted 05-05-2011 at 07:16 AM by Aquarius_Girl Updated 05-05-2011 at 08:45 AM by Aquarius_Girl (typo)

I'm putting off procrastinating 'til next week.

Posted 05-05-2011 at 08:19 AM by brianL
I was expecting some psychologists to land up here, who could get me out of this mess!

Posted 05-05-2011 at 09:15 AM by Aquarius_Girl

1. Quit Caffien. This increases the feeling of anxiety and nervousness. But that takes 3 days to a week to get over the grogy feeling depending on how much your body has been accustomed to caffine.

2. Write a list of everything that you feel you have to deal with (try not to take too long

)

3. Decide on the one thing you really need to do from that list

4. Set the list aside and say "I'm dealing with it."

5. Start on the important task.

6. Take breaks to step away from the task (any normal work place job will have opportunities to take breaks. Use this as an excuse to allow you to not get over stressed)

7. If you think of something to add to the list or something needs to be explained on the list, write it down.

8. Don't get stressed at your pace as everything will eventually get done. If items on your list are on going, then try and break them up into compartments.

Some how, I've read this advice before, tried it with minor success, and still procrastinate. The steps help, but it's not a cure. It still takes hardwork and will power. Also, if something is stressing you out, take a few deap breaths from the belly and hold it in for ten seconds. It helps some people to relax and clear the mind. Hope it helps you.

Posted 05-05-2011 at 04:05 PM by lumak lumak is offline

Thanks for taking your time, Lumak.

Quote:

Originally Posted by lumak

1. Quit Caffien. This increases the feeling of anxiety and nervousness.

I drink tea (nicotine) on an average of 5 cups per day. I can drop it if that's the cause of nervousness.

Quote:

2. Write a list of everything that you feel you have to deal with (try not to take too long

)
3. Decide on the one thing you really need to do from that list
4. Set the list aside and say "I'm dealing with it."
5. Start on the important task.

This is what I have been trying, recently. Telling my mind, yes, it can be done, it will be done, so start doing it. I have to keep on repeating this several times to myself, "seldom" it helps!

Quote:

6. Take breaks to step away from the task (any normal work place job will have opportunities to take breaks. Use this as an excuse to allow you to not get over stressed)

I do take breaks and practice photography but at the same time it is always in the back of my mind that I am fooling no one else than myself.

Quote:

Some how, I've read this advice before, tried it with minor success, and still procrastinate. The steps help, but it's not a cure.

I realize, in my case, the procrastination occurs because of the fear of unknown, I feel the task is undoable at least for me. I often underestimate myself, have got a low self esteem. If I would be brimming with confidence, I don't think there would be any reason for me to put off the tasks. But then, confidence comes from finishing off the tasks in due time! See, it is some kind of deadlock!

Quote:

Also, if something is stressing you out, take a few deap breaths from the belly and hold it in for ten seconds. It helps some people to relax and clear the mind. Hope it helps you.

Yes, I was thinking of starting yoga and breath exercises soon. Thanks for your tips.

Posted 05-06-2011 at 01:47 AM by Aquarius_Girl Aquarius_Girl is offline

Updated 05-06-2011 at 01:55 AM by Aquarius_Girl

	Low self-esteem is based a lot on how you think other people see you, how they judge you. Why should an attractive, intelligent, young woman like you suffer from low self-esteem? STOP IT NOW!
	Posted 05-06-2011 at 06:22 AM by brianL

Quote:

Originally Posted by brianL

Why should an attractive, intelligent, young woman like you suffer from low self-esteem? STOP IT NOW!

Is that your way of giving me a pep talk to make me feel better? I appreciate your efforts.

I am not too concerned with my looks actually, the cause of my worry (low self esteem) is, that I don't know in depth about most of the technical things I have worked upon. That too is because of the procrastination problem which is following me for a long time now. The situation in which I am currently, is very frightening for me now.

Posted 05-06-2011 at 06:41 AM by Aquarius_Girl Aquarius_Girl is offline

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anisha Kaul

Is that your way of giving me a pep talk to make me feel better? I appreciate your efforts.

It was an honest opinion, not false flattery or pep-talk bullshit.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anisha Kaul

the cause of my worry (low self esteem) is, that I don't know in depth about most of the technical things I have worked upon. That too is because of the procrastination problem which is following me for a long time now. The situation in which I am currently, is very frightening for me now.

You've got time to learn what you don't know now. And being over-cautious, procrastinating, is mostly better than being over-confident. People who rush into doing things, thinking they know it all, make more mistakes.

Posted 05-06-2011 at 07:04 AM by brianL brianL is offline

Quote:

Originally Posted by brianL

It was an honest opinion, not false flattery or pep-talk bullshit.

You forgot to put a rolleyes there, I think.
You are loosing your temper too, now a days.

Quote:

Originally Posted by brianL

You've got time to learn what you don't know now.

I found that encouraging, thanks, I wish to write here more something about my personal/general/official life, but that might not be appropriate perhaps, this being a public forum.

Posted 05-06-2011 at 10:48 AM by Aquarius_Girl Aquarius_Girl is offline

	Quote: Originally Posted by Anisha Kaul You forgot to put a rolleyes there, I think. You are loosing your temper too, now a days. No, you're wrong on both those assumptions. No sarcasm intended, and I'm perfectly calm.
	Posted 05-06-2011 at 11:33 AM by brianL

Hi,

Try to listen Satsang , it will help U. Also try to read and understand Bhagawat Gita.

Posted 05-11-2011 at 06:32 AM by ganesh24pal@gmail.com

	Quote: Originally Posted by ganesh24pal@gmail.com Try to listen Satsang , it will help U. Also try to read and understand Bhagawat Gita. I find Satsangs terribly boring, they speak so slowly!! And did start reading the Bhagawat Gita, one year back, I'll start again. P.S. SMS language is not appreciated on the technical foras, i.e. U = You.
	Posted 05-11-2011 at 06:38 AM by Aquarius_Girl

Nice new photo, Anisha. Not hiding your face any more.

Posted 05-11-2011 at 08:05 AM by brianL

	I don't have a photogenic face, actually Out of nearly 25 photos, one turns out worth posting. My TL likes portrait shots and he was experimenting/practicing on me with the new camera I purchased.
	Posted 05-11-2011 at 08:13 AM by Aquarius_Girl

	Quote: Originally Posted by Anisha Kaul I don't have a photogenic face, actually Why? What's wrong with it? The only type of female faces I don't like are the pretty pretty doll-like ones with no character/personality in them.
	Posted 05-11-2011 at 08:37 AM by brianL

It is said that there are many different forms of procrastination - I don't know what type I have or you have, but, for me at least, it is certainly alive and well

But, my departed wife had the answer for me, she would tell me to push aside the abjective and simply start. Telling myself that I will just make atart on this. Because my objective was small the worry and fear (of failing ect) therefore small, and I often found the whole job done.

So simply by moving the objective from finishing to just starting - I was helped. and many projects were completed by this simple method.

Maybe this will help you - try it - just start.

Posted 05-11-2011 at 09:08 AM by Desdd57 Desdd57 is offline

Quote:

Originally Posted by brianL

The only type of female faces I don't like are the pretty pretty doll-like ones with no character/personality in them.

That's a relief

BTW, men of today's generation don't think the same, they like girls with flawless face, pretty much like the film actresses.

Also I have noticed that as I am growing older, my interest in impressing men, is diminishing. I don't find myself bothering to dress up to kill. I hope that's normal.

Posted 05-11-2011 at 10:46 PM by Aquarius_Girl Aquarius_Girl is offline

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