Procrastination

[Michael Grant]

I wonder how common this behavior pattern is that I observe in myself:
I really want/need to be doing "important but not urgent" activity A
(say, working on a marketing plan). I'd like to devote my full
attention to A until the end of the workday, but I can't do that until
I finish B (say, editing a translation), which is less important but
comes with a deadline. I don't much feel like working on B, and the
deadline is not terribly tight, so I end up doing C (say, reading
Lantra, browsing the Web or blogging) until B becomes acutely urgent. I
do almost always meet the deadline for B, but by the time I finish,
it's too late and I'm too tired to do much with A. By the next morning,
another B has come along and the cycle starts anew....

Michael, a.k.a. Lethargic Man

--
<http://globalocal.blogspot.com>

Sont fous ces Ricains

[John S J Anderson]

> I wonder how common this behavior pattern is that I observe in myself:

Common enought that people have figured out how to harness it as a
force for good:

<http://www-csli.stanford.edu/~john/procrastination.html>

cheers,
john.
--
genehack.org * weblog == ( bioinfo / linux / opinion / stuff )

[LikeSoy]

I've identified this as a root problem for myself that I need to deal
with before another serious attempt at GTD ... I'm currently reading
the highly recommended book "The Now Habit"
So far, it's lived up to the hype ...

[C Wyatt]

I assume everyone has seen this...

http://www.i-am-bored.com/bored_link.cfm?link_id=7240

cw

[Silvestre Zabala]

Hi all,

"Structured Procrastination" seems to be a cool lifehack. It confirms
my observation that my productivity goes down, when I have only a few
tasks to do. I really have to try that out.

> I'm currently reading the highly recommended book "The Now Habit"
> So far, it's lived up to the hype ...

Great, I'm searching for a good book about procrastination. So far I
have found references to "The Now Habit" and "The Procrastinator's
Handbook" by Rita Emmet. Does anyone have recommendations?

[Bob Koss]

I just ordered The Now Habit. It had great reviews on Amazon.

I'm really good about maintaining my task lists. Not so good about
actually doing anything on those lists :-(

[John S J Anderson]

> I'm really good about maintaining my task lists. Not so good about
> actually doing anything on those lists :-(

Well, then, I've got a technique for you -- something I've just
figured out in the last week or so. Unfortunately, my write-up of it
isn't quite ready to share. 8^)= Give me a couple of days and I should
have something; watch this space.

[davidrosam]

Silvestre Zabala wrote:

> Great, I'm searching for a good book about procrastination. So far I
> have found references to "The Now Habit" and "The Procrastinator's
> Handbook" by Rita Emmet. Does anyone have recommendations?

I've listened to the Emmet book on audio book, and wasn't greatly
impressed.

David

[Bryan Ewbank]

Well, I have a pile of them - but I haven't read any of them yet...

(c'mon, *someone* had to say it ;-)

[Silvestre Zabala]

Thanks, I think I'll order "The Now Habit".

[tttopaz]

I also have heard a lot of positive comments about "The Now Habit but
haven't read it yet... lol

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[David]

I just finished reading The Now Habit. I like it. Proceeds by outlining
the psychology of procrastination (fear of failure, perfectionism, fear
of success, etc.); goes to how to reframe things from "have to's" to "I
choose to", etc., focus on getting projects to the right level of
granularity, just starting things, planning with a reverse schedule
(backwards from completion date); includes novel scheduling methods
(eg, schedule the play first and make it inviolate); logging of your
actual vs. intended work, logging of what things happen when you
procrastination; methods for relaxation and getting into the flow for
work; and how to live with and work with procrastiators.

For me, the reframing and scheduling play are going to help most.

I think it's a good complement to GtD. I recommend a read.
Cheers, David.

[David]

[Silvestre Zabala]

I finished reading "The Now Habit" too. Definitely useful and
recommended.

I will implement the Unschedule and the Reverse Calendar.
The book also had a chapter about the "flow" state, and since there is
already a thread going about that, I'll look out for a recommendation
for that.

Best regards,
Silvestre