Comments on: Overcoming Procrastination

By: Aliyu

Aliyu — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 18:32:58 +0000

Anth,
Your daily tips, have of serious importance to me, i dont really know where the problem lies. Anytime i try waking up to help myself, i get altered along the track and at most i even forget whatever plans i have. Help!

By: Chris

Chris — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 16:44:52 +0000

Your advice about imagining how good one might feel when a particular job is done really works for me. I do whatever it is I’ve been putting off and surprise…! I feel excellent.

By: Brian

Brian — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 01:27:44 +0000

I here alot about fear of failure. What about fear of success? I find myself sabotaging any short term success I acheive. How does a person maintain any sustained effort or consitency?

By: Maureen

Maureen — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 19:30:53 +0000

Hi Anth,

Thank you so much for the prompt response. I have such confidence that I have actually found a wonderful resource in your concept and website! I raised the perfection issue as I have read many articles on procrastination and many defined it that way. I like your solution to inaction by asking the question about the purpose of the task. I’m going to try that tonight!
Thanks, again.

By: Anth Quinn

Anth Quinn — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 18:59:34 +0000

Hi Maureen,

What would it be like if you were to realise that the only way to be a perfect failure is to sit down, give up and never try again - I’d call that perfect failure! So if you want to be perfect then just give up :o)

Joking aside, I can really understand wanting to do your best and I believe that wanting to do your best is a good thing. I confess to being curious though - Perfection is a pretty illusive beast; how many things have you actually achieved perfection on so far? and who is judging? What makes them the perfect judge? and even if they were the perfect judge would that not mean they would always be able to find something that could be improved?

Recognising that chasing rainbows is the perfect way to never find that pot of gold, how would things be different if before starting a new task you ask yourself what is the purpose of this task and how would you know if the outcome was “good enough” to meet your purpose?

Anth.

By: Maureen

Maureen — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 17:09:06 +0000

What about the perfectionist aspect? That if I wait too long to complete a task, perfection can no longer be a consideration because I only have the time to barely complete it. How can I let go of the need for it to be perfect?

By: valerie

valerie — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 13:26:49 +0000

Yes Pat - ” Just Do It”
I have a quote on my small 14×11 white board ( I actually found a light blue one ) , that says:
EASY DOES IT — BUT DO IT !!

By: Pat

Pat — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 17:29:53 +0000

My procrastination comes primarily for fear. Secondly only to the fact that I think about doing things so long that I’m worn out before I do anything. I Have to keep telling myself,”…JUST DO IT…”

My times I hear the child like sound in my head,”…Oh just let me rest a monment, then I’ll get to it…” Then suddenly it’s time for bed and the night is over and I HAVEN’T DONE A THING!!!

By: Sheen

Sheen — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 00:42:04 +0000

Alexandria

1. Break task down into steps. Say 3-5 steps & scribble on peace of paper
2. Set a deadline or timer as Jaques suggests (short bursts say 25 min)
3. Put an Ipod or CD on (as long as its not too much of distraction
4. Cross off each step as you do it and congratulate yourself

Breaking it down, creating a short term exitement, stimulating your brain with music and the self esteem from achieving - all snow balls to kick your ADD brain into getting your stuff done!

Take a look Jen Koretsky’s book - Odd One Out. Has some real practical steps on how to get stuff done for people with ADD/ADHD

By: Mick

Mick — Sun, 15 Jun 2008 06:15:36 +0000

Thanks anth for your advice.

im studying for my medicine examinations, and between all the books and notes its hard to remember why your really doing all the study.

When I read the part that said ‘why do you really want this’ , it really helped me focus on why I was studying, and the benefits of it.

So thank you for helping me put everything in perspective… again.

MICK