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Procrastination - Help?

ToshTosh Veteran
edited September 2011 in Buddhism Basics
I'm terrible for procrastination and I suspect it's based in 'fear'. Even right now, I've an essay (for my Buddhist course) about a month overdue, and instead of just finishing it off, like I should be doing, I'm here asking advice about overcoming procrastination.

Aaaaaarrrrrhhhhhh!!!!

Any advice anyone?

Comments

  • seeker242seeker242 Zen Florida, USA Veteran
    Finish the paper? :)
  • genkakugenkaku Northampton, Mass. U.S.A. Veteran
    Alternatively, don't finish the paper and take the consequences.
  • ToshTosh Veteran
    edited September 2011
    I finished it, but I'm not happy with it. I find something difficult and I procrastinate (do nothing) until an absolute deadline is here, and I 'cuff it'. I do it with my tax return; with anything I don't like.

    I guess this is something that takes some practise. I've now got to walk the dog, but I can't be bothered; lazy you see; more procrastination!

    Sometimes life is like going from A to B with the handbrake on.

    Maybe I'm just having a bad day and need to realise impermanence or something. Wait there....

    Nope, I'm still here!

    Sheesh! I can't wait to get Enlightened!


  • SimonthepilgrimSimonthepilgrim Veteran
    Don't worry. When it is time to die, you'll do it on schedule. Every other deadline is just an illusion.
  • ToshTosh Veteran
    Thanks, Simon. But the £100 slap on the wrist I get for my late tax returns don't feel illusory.

    I need some self discipline!

    I'll meditate on it and see if that works.
  • aMattaMatt Veteran

    I need some self discipline!
    When you decide you want self discipline, you might cultivate some.
  • ToshTosh Veteran

    I need some self discipline!
    When you decide you want self discipline, you might cultivate some.
    Three frogs on a log; one decides to jump off, how many frogs are left on the log?

    Three! A decision doesn't mean anything unless followed by action. (This is A.A. philosophy! ;-) )

    How do I cultivate self-discipline?


  • AMHAMH
    Ahh yes, I struggle with it very much. It is good to examine what you ARE doing when you are not doing the required task and to see how you feel. Many times we are so hard on ourselves that we do not feel good when we are done so why complete something to feel like crap anyway? Other times we are truly over stretched and need to watch for that. Each case is different after all but I agree to look at fear and see what fear it is.
  • ToshTosh Veteran
    The jobs I would like to do right now are:

    Do my filing.
    Do some studying.
    Go for a run.

    But I'm sat here browsing New Buddhist instead; distracting myself from jobs I want to do, but don't want to do; but need to be done, and I know I'll feel better once they're done.

    But I'm sat here, still distracting myself. I do this too much. I know I'm going to hit the post button and just do them; but on other occasions I won't.

    Whose mind is this anyway? Not mine; there is no 'me' in the way I think there's a 'me' (which is apparent under analysis, but not during my day-to-day activities).

    Sheesh; I'll just try doing the next right thing that's in front of me, I think. But if anyone's got any tips on cultivating some self discipline, chuck 'em my way, please.
  • genkakugenkaku Northampton, Mass. U.S.A. Veteran
    When it gets painful enough, you'll do something about it.
  • ToshTosh Veteran
    When it gets painful enough, you'll do something about it.
    "Pain is the touchstone of spiritual growth." 12 Steps and Traditions, Alcoholics Anonymous.

    Unfortunately some people's pain threshold is high; so lots of pain is experienced before they'll do anything about it. And for some alkies, they end up 'six foot under'; since they couldn't do anything about it.

    Maybe if I keep on developing my mindfulness practise, procrastination will happen less?
  • GuiGui Veteran
    edited September 2011
    Hi Tosh. Well, if you're not going to do what you think should be done at this time, I would suggest you enjoy not doing them, or enjoy doing what you're doing when you're not doing them. Then when you're doing what you thought you should be doing but decided to do something else instead, you can enjoy putting off doing what you do when you're not doing what you think you should do. ;)
    Procrastinate procrastination.
  • aMattaMatt Veteran
    How do I cultivate self-discipline?
    For you, perhaps by understanding (and seeing the empty quality) of your aversion to the action. Maybe a contemplation like "Why am I afraid of looking stupid?" Or "Why do I feel the need to know it all already?" or
    "Do I need discipline to do actions I feel happy doing?"

    And, of course, making your mind more flexible through continued mindful practices (meditation, metta).

    With warmth,

    Matt
  • ToshTosh Veteran
    That is very good, Matt, thanks. I'm glad I asked; I'll work on it; though I think I've done similar in the past to get me over sticking points; so maybe that's why your post chimes with me.

    And thanks for all the other helpful comments too!
  • buddhajunkiebuddhajunkie

    Buddhism isn't very good for working on procrastination.

    My recommendations:

    1. Visualize doing what you need to do. Imagine enjoying doing it. And imagine how good it will feel to finally get the thing done. Think about all the good things that will flow from getting the thing done.

    2. Work on the thing for only 15 minutes at a time. "Promise" yourself that you won't work on it too long.


    I've been meaning to start a thread on Buddhism vs. Positive Psychology, but I've been procrastinating on that ;)
  • ToshTosh Veteran
    Thanks, I'll also give that a go; the more tools the better, I suppose.

    And please, start the topic. I'm doing the Jamyang Buddhist Foundation Course and we've just started the Buddhist Psychology module. I'd be interested to read the post, as would many others, I guess.

    Anyway, I've got some jobs to do! :p
  • mithrilmithril Veteran

    Do my filing.
    Do some studying.
    Go for a run.
    Mindfulness cultivation is in doing these things. Beware of the mat, it is your enemy in this situation.

    Maybe if I keep on developing my mindfulness practise, procrastination will happen less?
    Unless you're doing one of the above, you are not doing mindfulness practice. You are in fact running away from it.

    Trying to cultivate discipline will destroy your mindfulness; as a consequence you will not be any more disciplined than you were before. Concentrating on a task you feel you have to do will be an act of "being disciplined" on the other hand.

    [source: http://www.unfetteredmind.org/retreat-teachings-warriors-solution-1 ]



  • ToshTosh Veteran

    Trying to cultivate discipline will destroy your mindfulness; as a consequence you will not be any more disciplined than you were before. Concentrating on a task you feel you have to do will be an act of "being disciplined" on the other hand.

    [source: http://www.unfetteredmind.org/retreat-teachings-warriors-solution-1 ]

    Thanks Mithril,

    I listened to that link, and it was good, but unfortunately it seems to be just one of a set; but the rest weren't there (I don't think, and I had a pretty good look).

    You wouldn't know where the rest of the series are would you?

  • vinlynvinlyn Colorado...for now Veteran
    I have the answer to procrastination. I'll tell you next week.
  • SimonthepilgrimSimonthepilgrim Veteran
    What a lot of good advice. If you're a "Yes, but..." player, there enough for months of fun.

    I say this as player myself and my remedy, for the past thirty-odd years has been to have a "soul friend". It's something like co-counselling or having a fellowship sponsor and a lot more. How I've come by them, and they by me, is a bit of a mystery to me but, when I have most needed one, s/he has been there.

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