Why the Hell Do I Procrastinate so much?

Discussion in 'Random Thoughts' started by GettingBuckets, Apr 9, 2016.

  1. GettingBuckets

    GettingBuckets Almost "Made"

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    This title says it all. I am literally posting this at 3 in the morning because it took me forever to get started on a paper, and now I am just contemplating my life like I always do when I put something off and crap my pants when I realize how much I torture myself for no reason.

    Hopefully someone else can make me feel a bit better and talk about their own procrastination experiences and share in our procrastination station. I know I can't be the only one, right? RIGHT???

    WHY OH WHY DO I CONTINUALLY DO THIS TO MYSELF EVEN THOUGH I KNOW THE CONSEQUENCES?
     
  2. imackler

    imackler Key Lime Pie Infected Aberdeen Wings Spy

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    I'll write more later.
     
  3. Friday

    Friday Friend

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    Because rushing for the deadline is what makes us feel alive.
     
  4. rayfalkner

    rayfalkner Not to be confused with Roy Fokker - Friend

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    Don't you think if there's no procrastination in this world perhaps we're already a space faring race by now?

    No you don't need to think about it now, no rush.
     
    Last edited: Apr 9, 2016
  5. Armaegis

    Armaegis Friend

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    You think you'll eventually learn your lesson as you get older... but nope, you just become better at deluding yourself.
     
  6. shaizada

    shaizada Friend

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    Throughout my formal education, I have always procrastinated and have ALWAYS been better for it as I end up performing better under some stress :)
    In my professional life, I still do it where it impact JUST myself (not others at all), and again, I have been better for it.

    Find what works for you and use it as a strength. Know your flaws and make them work for you.
     
  7. Thad E Ginathom

    Thad E Ginathom Friend

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    Ego and the Absence of Round Tuits

    Many targets are artificial anyway. I speak as one who, when told that something was needed immediately, used to ask why. And if it looked like the reason was just manager ego inflation, I probably would not deliver.

    But then... I often don't deliver simply because I have not got a round tuit.
     
  8. songmic

    songmic Gear cycler East Asia edition

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  9. SunTanScanMan

    SunTanScanMan New

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    As someone who has recently gone back to study, I relate to the OP's situation. My issue is that I get distracted easily and constantly. It takes a long time to get through a chapter sometimes. For example I will read an interesting fact in a sentence, and instead of continuing to read and finish the chapter I will research that fact. Things will lead on from there until I find myself an hour down the line watching a YT video on bbq prime ribs...wtf? I'm reading law btw...
    There are rabbit holes everywhere.

    I've read that listening to music when studying can be a detriment to the learning process. For me, I find it easier to concentrate with music as it keeps part of my brain preoccupied, and leaves me to concentrate somewhat in peace on my studies. Some music is better for these purposes than others, and also changes depending on my mood.
     
  10. Thad E Ginathom

    Thad E Ginathom Friend

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    That sounds like real scholarship!

    Or, at least, it did until the bbq-prime-ribs bit! :D
     
  11. SunTanScanMan

    SunTanScanMan New

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    Ha ha but you know there is an art to cooking the perfect prime rib on charcoal.

    Also here is a cat:




    In all seriousness, to the OP:

    there are positives to procrastination (a double edged sword if you will). Sure I may 'waste' a lot of time, but it keeps my brain active, and creative in relation to my studies whilst distracted on something else. Eg. I procrastinate about my studies while I'm procrastinating away from my studies watching cats. Doesn't have to be cats.. it could be history



    or philosophy:



    Also don't be afraid to discuss matters with your teachers. They want you to do well, so ask for an extension because you really want to complete the assignment to the best of your abilities. Most will oblige, and be happy that you discussed this them.
     
  12. TwoEars

    TwoEars Friend

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    Most of us are just hardwired by evolution to be lazy, it's an excellent survival technique when the wild is full of bears, snakes, cliffs and other nasty things. Better to have just enough food and stay at home in the cave. Much safer. Same reason many believe the need for sleep evolved as well, we were ill-equipped to deal with the many predators roaming the night so it was better for us to just sleep through it and be active during the day instead.

    What can you do about? You can try turning off internet for a week, seriously. It's boring as hell but it actually works. Our brains crave stimulation and internet is an easy fix. Turn off the internet and after a day or two writing that paper will actually seem like fun.
     
  13. Cos

    Cos Acquaintance

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    maybe some yoga would help - but more on the chronic time line than the acute setting. they say is more an exercise to focus the mind than calisthenics :)
     
  14. Stapsy

    Stapsy Friend

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    I find the best way to avoid procrastination is to be excited about what you are doing. People rarely procrastinate things they are interested in. If you aren't interested in what you are doing find a way to make yourself interested. This could be as simple as choosing a better topic for your paper or turning your work into a little game you play against yourself. Motivation isn't just something that happens. If you can force yourself to start and build a little momentum it is easier.

    Specifically related to papers, I always found mapping out my ideas in a rough way made it easier to get started than trying to sit down and write a perfect draft. It let me focus on a more simple task and develop my ideas, which in turn makes it easier to organize when actually writing.

    In the long run, figuring out what excites you is the best way to stay motivated. Try not to focus on specifics but more general ideas. Think back to your experiences in school and remember things you did that you really enjoyed. Maybe it was working with other people on a project, solving a tough problem, or helping somebody to understand a new concept. Once you have figured out what makes you tick you can come up with ways to incorporate those things into your school/career.
     
  15. Deep Funk

    Deep Funk Deep thoughts - Friend

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    Agreed, have fun and enjoy what you do. Before you know it you cannot stop doing what you put in motion.
     
  16. GettingBuckets

    GettingBuckets Almost "Made"

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    Just finished a rough draft of a thesis after slowly but surely putting it off and working on it little by little the last week. By that, I mean I mostly wrote everything today, and now it's 4 30 am over here.

    Go me! Master of slightly inefficient productivity!

    :sail:
     
  17. rayfalkner

    rayfalkner Not to be confused with Roy Fokker - Friend

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    Perhaps a bit related on writing papers or essays or such;
    after I started using Scrivener (or Evernote, works too) I find myself procrastinate less on such tasks. Not because there's a voodoo magic in those software, it's just the way it facilitates a non-linear approach on writing also allows me to finish doing the part or chapter of the texts that interest me most at any given time.

    For me, doing the least interesting part of an essay or papers are much more bearable when I saw that the rest of the chore is pretty much finished already; and in return it also cut down the time I spent on procrastination.
     
  18. whoozwaqh

    whoozwaqh New

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    The issue is discipline. It may be easy to claim technology easily distracts us or our we get wrapped up in our own thoughts or whatever scapegoat we use to rationalize it away but the lack of discipline is what the problem is.
     
  19. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    Because you are too young and haven't been punished enough yet for procrastinating. In time, you will learn. Or not.
     
  20. Thad E Ginathom

    Thad E Ginathom Friend

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    I'll just make a post on this thread, and then I have some things to do. Err, should do. Wait, there's another thread...
     

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