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Procrastinating
posted in Off Topic
1
#1
0 Frags +

I've had this serious procrastination problem where I waste a lot of time doing things like browsing social media (facebook , insta), watching endless amounts of youtube videos and browsing tftv. Problem is I even procrastinate on things I actually enjoy doing like reading for pleasure or focused music listening or practising the guitar. I get really comfortable with just lazing about on social media on my phone or pc, even though I'm conscious I'll probably enjoy the aforementioned activities more.

I could really do with some advice as to how to stop sinking so much time into these distractions

I've had this serious procrastination problem where I waste a lot of time doing things like browsing social media (facebook , insta), watching endless amounts of youtube videos and browsing tftv. Problem is I even procrastinate on things I actually enjoy doing like reading for pleasure or focused music listening or practising the guitar. I get really comfortable with just lazing about on social media on my phone or pc, even though I'm conscious I'll probably enjoy the aforementioned activities more.

I could really do with some advice as to how to stop sinking so much time into these distractions
2
#2
1 Frags +

just play guitar until your fingers start to hurt too much. trust me, its good for you

just play guitar until your fingers start to hurt too much. trust me, its good for you
3
#3
1 Frags +

deactivate all your social media accounts, throw your phone out the window & unsubscribe to all your favorite youtubers.

deactivate all your social media accounts, throw your phone out the window & unsubscribe to all your favorite youtubers.
4
#4
6 Frags +

maybe it's the environment, I found myself to be much more productive at night.

maybe it's the environment, I found myself to be much more productive at night.
5
#5
12 Frags +

When I was knee-deep in my senior thesis I knew I'd waste time on social media. My first step was to deactivate(for the time) my FB, Insta, Snapchat etc, and delete the apps. I still had groupme to stay in contact, but I'd allot myself time to check everything. I'd have the whole day to work on school/thesis then after 9 I'd have free reign to check what little social media I had. It helped with time management and learning to not use all these apps/internet time so much.

You gotta realize that you're not missing anything from logging into these apps and get your work done. It's dumb hard but absolutely worth the time and "stress".

With youtube and tftv? Hard to block/follow so only go on when your work is in a good state. This site doesn't update enough to waste time on imo. Hope this helped a little if at all, Snack.

When I was knee-deep in my senior thesis I knew I'd waste time on social media. My first step was to deactivate(for the time) my FB, Insta, Snapchat etc, and delete the apps. I still had groupme to stay in contact, but I'd allot myself time to check everything. I'd have the whole day to work on school/thesis then after 9 I'd have free reign to check what little social media I had. It helped with time management and learning to not use all these apps/internet time so much.

You gotta realize that you're not missing anything from logging into these apps and get your work done. It's dumb hard but absolutely worth the time and "stress".

With youtube and tftv? Hard to block/follow so only go on when your work is in a good state. This site doesn't update enough to waste time on imo. Hope this helped a little if at all, Snack.
6
#6
0 Frags +

can't help with homework but i find that when i listen to a song that i know has amazing guitar, bass or drums in it, i just instantly get a super strong desire to go play that instrument so you could try just listening to a song with some sweet instrumentation in it for some inspiration :)

can't help with homework but i find that when i listen to a song that i know has amazing guitar, bass or drums in it, i just instantly get a super strong desire to go play that instrument so you could try just listening to a song with some sweet instrumentation in it for some inspiration :)
7
#7
7 Frags +

one thing I'd recommend is doing any school work in a library or another study space outside of your room (or whatever other space you usually study in). I find that this stops me from taking breaks as often bc I want to get out of the library asap

whenever I want to practice guitar I generally find a song that I want to learn instead of practicing stuff I already know. the more I play the better I end up getting when I go back to playing other songs anyways so it doesn't feel like I'm being inefficient. as a rule of thumb, finding inspiration will help your motivation so it doesn't seem like a chore

also it may sound corny but writing down your goals for each day will help you get more done

one thing I'd recommend is doing any school work in a library or another study space outside of your room (or whatever other space you usually study in). I find that this stops me from taking breaks as often bc I want to get out of the library asap

whenever I want to practice guitar I generally find a song that I want to learn instead of practicing stuff I already know. the more I play the better I end up getting when I go back to playing other songs anyways so it doesn't feel like I'm being inefficient. as a rule of thumb, finding inspiration will help your motivation so it doesn't seem like a chore

also it may sound corny but writing down your goals for each day will help you get more done
8
#8
Stream Highlights
3 Frags +

fix it tomorrow

fix it tomorrow
9
#9
22 Frags +

I GET THIS PROEBLEM TOO IT RALLY IMPACTS MY FAN FICS...........

I GET THIS PROEBLEM TOO IT RALLY IMPACTS MY FAN FICS...........
10
#10
1 Frags +

uninstall facebook and instagram from your phone. When you want to do something just force yourself to do it for 10 seconds. I used to be a really intense procrastinator. The 10 second rule helped me a lot, as dumb as it sound.

uninstall facebook and instagram from your phone. When you want to do something just force yourself to do it for 10 seconds. I used to be a really intense procrastinator. The 10 second rule helped me a lot, as dumb as it sound.
11
#11
1 Frags +

lofi hip hop - beats to relax/study to

lofi hip hop - beats to relax/study to
12
#12
0 Frags +

https://old.reddit.com/r/NoFap/

https://old.reddit.com/r/NoFap/
13
#13
-10 Frags +

do drugs

do drugs
14
#14
1 Frags +

so much uninstalling in this thread lol

so much uninstalling in this thread lol
15
#15
0 Frags +

this is gonna sound backwards and weird but doing some afk leveling in osrs on the side keeps me weirdly focused on my work

thats probably just me but im much more productive doing homework and leveling to 99str than i would be getting stuck in a youtube hole

this is gonna sound backwards and weird but doing some afk leveling in osrs on the side keeps me weirdly focused on my work

thats probably just me but im much more productive doing homework and leveling to 99str than i would be getting stuck in a youtube hole
16
#16
2 Frags +

I find that if you do the things you need to do outside your dorm/apartment/house, you focus a ton more since you have a purpose going and it's alot harder to slack off/get distracted when you're detached from your PC and bed

I find that if you do the things you need to do outside your dorm/apartment/house, you focus a ton more since you have a purpose going and it's alot harder to slack off/get distracted when you're detached from your PC and bed
17
#17
-2 Frags +

I've been really into trying to meditate. For me, idly browsing Reddit or YouTube feels like I'm letting my brain take a break. It's like relaxing not just physically by laying down and not needing to hit buttons, but mentally, I don't really have to think at all. Meditation has been super useful for getting that while also not wasting an extra hour getting lost in a YouTube hole. Sometimes I stand, sometimes I sit, sometimes I try not to think and just focus on my surroundings, sometimes I try to go through my whole day and think about shit.

Either way, I tend to come out the other side feeling more confident about the things I'm doing. It also takes waaaay less time for me than watching YouTube.

I've been really into trying to meditate. For me, idly browsing Reddit or YouTube feels like I'm letting my brain take a break. It's like relaxing not just physically by laying down and not needing to hit buttons, but mentally, I don't really have to think at all. Meditation has been super useful for getting that while also not wasting an extra hour getting lost in a YouTube hole. Sometimes I stand, sometimes I sit, sometimes I try not to think and just focus on my surroundings, sometimes I try to go through my whole day and think about shit.

Either way, I tend to come out the other side feeling more confident about the things I'm doing. It also takes waaaay less time for me than watching YouTube.
18
#18
0 Frags +
catman1900do drugs

honestly a bad answer

[quote=catman1900]do drugs[/quote]
honestly a bad answer
19
#19
-2 Frags +

bro anyone play chess?

bro anyone play chess?
20
#20
-2 Frags +

/r/nosurf
/r/getdisciplined/
/r/nofap
/r/pornfree
and maybe /r/stopgaming

/r/nosurf
/r/getdisciplined/
/r/nofap
/r/pornfree
and maybe /r/stopgaming
21
#21
6 Frags +

Aderall also known as addy

Aderall also known as addy
22
#22
1 Frags +

Welcome to life.

Welcome to life.
23
#23
15 Frags +
Bartender/r/nosurf
/r/getdisciplined/
/r/nofap
/r/pornfree
and maybe /r/stopgaming

yes, visiting reddit to stop procrastinating. sounds like a plan chief

[quote=Bartender]/r/nosurf
/r/getdisciplined/
/r/nofap
/r/pornfree
and maybe /r/stopgaming[/quote]
yes, visiting reddit to stop procrastinating. sounds like a plan chief
24
#24
0 Frags +

Instead of making it hard for me to access the internet or whatever I waste time on, I have it as available as ever because I want to practise rejecting the urge to procrastinate. While I support this idea it's worth noting that I've failed resisting the urge 100% of the time and I suffer because of it. :)

Instead of making it hard for me to access the internet or whatever I waste time on, I have it as available as ever because I want to practise rejecting the urge to procrastinate. While I support this idea it's worth noting that I've failed resisting the urge 100% of the time and I suffer because of it. :)
25
#25
0 Frags +

bust a fat one and smoke a ciggy

bust a fat one and smoke a ciggy
26
#26
0 Frags +
GUNSGUNSGUNSAderall also known as addy

1. developing a stim habit just to finish high-school or w/e is dumb
2. it still requires you to actually start doing shit, otherwise you just clean your house

salts are great for productivity, but they dont really do much for actually starting a project ime. Theres not really a workaround other than building better organizing habits to get you to actually begin things. then snorting shit actually helps

reccing ^ Ciggs/ vapes / shit that you can do every couple hours to take breaks. if you get in the habit, it helps workflow a ton cause you dont burn out as quick and it's less miserable, so you dont end up psyching yrself out on starting the next thing

[quote=GUNSGUNSGUNS]Aderall also known as addy[/quote]
1. developing a stim habit just to finish high-school or w/e is dumb
2. it still requires you to actually start doing shit, otherwise you just clean your house

salts are great for productivity, but they dont really do much for actually starting a project ime. Theres not really a workaround other than building better organizing habits to get you to actually begin things. then snorting shit actually helps

reccing ^ Ciggs/ vapes / shit that you can do every couple hours to take breaks. if you get in the habit, it helps workflow a ton cause you dont burn out as quick and it's less miserable, so you dont end up psyching yrself out on starting the next thing
27
#27
0 Frags +

I disagree. I've had an Adderall prescription for almost three years now, ever since my second semester in college. I don't take it 7 days a week, usually 3-4 times a week just so I can pay attention in lectures and to efficiently finish papers and study. It will effect everyone differently but for me It will last about 5 hours and during that time I can pretty much nonstop focus on what I need to pay attention to whether it be a lecture, homework, or studying.

I don't take it during any of my breaks(summer/spring/winter). Side effects are minor at the dose I take which is 20mg 3-4 times a week. Max once a day. Maybe a slight headache/nausea after it wears off, sometimes no side effects.

Before my prescription I was able to get through highschool fine but in college its harder to bs your way through classes, especially if your majoring in STEM. There is a balance between willpower and talent/interest you need to succeed in school. If your researching a subject you are interested in you will find it easier to focus on it. I found that no trick was able to make me focus on shit I didn't enjoy. (doing school work in library, turning off phone, no social media, anti-procrastinator apps). I would rather stare at the wall than study for a compsci midterm.

It will be different for everyone. For some people they will be able to find a way to end their procrastination habit and succeed in school or whatever. For me I wanted a solution. My first semester I failed two classes and was in academic probation. The following semester I found a psychiatrist and got an adderall prescription. Ever since then my classes have gone great. Mostly As and Bs with the occasional C. I know multiple people who got through college w/ an adderall/similar drug prescription and now work full time still using adderall, their bosses knowing they use it, w/ no problem.

WARNING I would not get an adderall prescription if you have an addictive personality. It is very similar to meth and if you abuse it it could ruin yr life. DO NOT tell anyone you have adderall. They will ask your for some and never shut up. If you do give them some they will probably ask again. Plus its very illegal to share yr prescription for a controlled substance. Final thing add/adhd is a real thing no matter what some people will say. Sure many people will claim they have add/adhd as an excuse but its still real condition. Chemical imbalance in brain. If you have add/adhd you will still be able to focus on the things that you find mentally stimulating. Drugs not only solution.

I disagree. I've had an Adderall prescription for almost three years now, ever since my second semester in college. I don't take it 7 days a week, usually 3-4 times a week just so I can pay attention in lectures and to efficiently finish papers and study. It will effect everyone differently but for me It will last about 5 hours and during that time I can pretty much nonstop focus on what I need to pay attention to whether it be a lecture, homework, or studying.

I don't take it during any of my breaks(summer/spring/winter). Side effects are minor at the dose I take which is 20mg 3-4 times a week. Max once a day. Maybe a slight headache/nausea after it wears off, sometimes no side effects.

Before my prescription I was able to get through highschool fine but in college its harder to bs your way through classes, especially if your majoring in STEM. There is a balance between willpower and talent/interest you need to succeed in school. If your researching a subject you are interested in you will find it easier to focus on it. I found that no trick was able to make me focus on shit I didn't enjoy. (doing school work in library, turning off phone, no social media, anti-procrastinator apps). I would rather stare at the wall than study for a compsci midterm.

It will be different for everyone. For some people they will be able to find a way to end their procrastination habit and succeed in school or whatever. For me I wanted a solution. My first semester I failed two classes and was in academic probation. The following semester I found a psychiatrist and got an adderall prescription. Ever since then my classes have gone great. Mostly As and Bs with the occasional C. I know multiple people who got through college w/ an adderall/similar drug prescription and now work full time still using adderall, their bosses knowing they use it, w/ no problem.

WARNING I would not get an adderall prescription if you have an addictive personality. It is very similar to meth and if you abuse it it could ruin yr life. DO NOT tell anyone you have adderall. They will ask your for some and never shut up. If you do give them some they will probably ask again. Plus its very illegal to share yr prescription for a controlled substance. Final thing add/adhd is a real thing no matter what some people will say. Sure many people will claim they have add/adhd as an excuse but its still real condition. Chemical imbalance in brain. If you have add/adhd you will still be able to focus on the things that you find mentally stimulating. Drugs not only solution.
28
#28
2 Frags +
nimby5539...

tbh dont publically advertise having any mental illness if you want to get a good job, some bosses might be ok with it but for some applications you'll just become "The ADHD Application" and that'll be that. Only useful for filling demographics, which isn't really what you want to be hired for in the long run.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cx13a2-unjE

[quote=nimby5539]...[/quote]
tbh dont publically advertise having any mental illness if you want to get a good job, some bosses might be ok with it but for some applications you'll just become "The ADHD Application" and that'll be that. Only useful for filling demographics, which isn't really what you want to be hired for in the long run.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cx13a2-unjE
29
#29
1 Frags +

one thing thats helped me alot isdoing work with other people. it helps when people remind u to actually do work and other shit

one thing thats helped me alot isdoing work with other people. it helps when people remind u to actually do work and other shit
30
#30
3 Frags +

The day after I posted this thread I've felt a bit of a confidence boost with regards to overcoming my procrastination habit thanks to some of your guys' advice. I managed to spend some time reading for pleasure by changing my environment and not doing so in my room, and I managed to dedicated some 3 hours to focused music listening today, which is usually 2/3 more than I usually get on a school day. I still spent some time using social media, but I limited it to when I was idle or had a few minutes to spare whilst I waited for something. I didn't let social media soak up a lot of my time today, so that's a big improvement :)

Since this is only my 3rd week of school, we haven't been assigned any big tasks, but I still didn't really make the time to do the smaller school-related things today like organizing my shit, etc... Still after one day of trying to get rid of my procrastination habit I've felt that I've shown myself I can overcome this with some more focus and dedication.

eeereccing ^ Ciggs/ vapes / shit that you can do every couple hours to take breaks. if you get in the habit, it helps workflow a ton cause you dont burn out as quick and it's less miserable, so you dont end up psyching yrself out on starting the next thing

I get the idea of a reward system and having something to sort of unwind with for the odd 5 minutes every few hours of work. Still I think people in my situation can do a lot better than cigarettes/vapes/whatever. Coffee/tea/snacks are just healthier than resorting to cigarettes, even if cigarettes do calm you down and relax you. If you're already a smoker tho then ye by all means.

nimby5539

I'm super super happy for you that you're able to excel in your schoolwork thanks to Adderall! As you said though, it works differently for everybody, and I must add that it isn't a one-size-fits-all solution to those with difficulties focusing. I will certainly not be considering it as an option because my procrastination habits are a personality issue of mine, and not due to a chemical imbalance in my brain.

The day after I posted this thread I've felt a bit of a confidence boost with regards to overcoming my procrastination habit thanks to some of your guys' advice. I managed to spend some time reading for pleasure by changing my environment and not doing so in my room, and I managed to dedicated some 3 hours to focused music listening today, which is usually 2/3 more than I usually get on a school day. I still spent some time using social media, but I limited it to when I was idle or had a few minutes to spare whilst I waited for something. I didn't let social media soak up a lot of my time today, so that's a big improvement :)

Since this is only my 3rd week of school, we haven't been assigned any big tasks, but I still didn't really make the time to do the smaller school-related things today like organizing my shit, etc... Still after one day of trying to get rid of my procrastination habit I've felt that I've shown myself I can overcome this with some more focus and dedication.

[quote=eee]reccing ^ Ciggs/ vapes / shit that you can do every couple hours to take breaks. if you get in the habit, it helps workflow a ton cause you dont burn out as quick and it's less miserable, so you dont end up psyching yrself out on starting the next thing[/quote]
I get the idea of a reward system and having something to sort of unwind with for the odd 5 minutes every few hours of work. Still I think people in my situation can do a lot better than cigarettes/vapes/whatever. Coffee/tea/snacks are just healthier than resorting to cigarettes, even if cigarettes do calm you down and relax you. If you're already a smoker tho then ye by all means.

[quote=nimby5539][/quote]

I'm super super happy for you that you're able to excel in your schoolwork thanks to Adderall! As you said though, it works differently for everybody, and I must add that it isn't a one-size-fits-all solution to those with difficulties focusing. I will certainly not be considering it as an option because my procrastination habits are a personality issue of mine, and not due to a chemical imbalance in my brain.
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