Blarghagh Posted June 2, 2009 Posted June 2, 2009 (edited) I need help. I have serious problems getting work done. I let myself get distracted by all kinds of things. If there's nothing around to get distracted by, I even get distracted by my own thoughts. I prefer everything over work, even work that I know is important. I have almost no motivation, or if I do I make up factors to counteract those ("what if I don't do it good enough?"). And worst of all, most of this is unconscious and sometimes I don't even notice it until hours later. Sometimes I try to force myself to work and I still can't. Or I work for a few minutes, and then I stop paying attention for a second and suddenly I'm knee-deep in video game. I end up not even being able to work at some things until the deadline gets too close, and I have to stress out over it. I'm sick of that. Can anyone help me help myself? I have tried googling the subject but I find nothing useful. Edited June 2, 2009 by TrueNeutral
Morgoth Posted June 2, 2009 Posted June 2, 2009 The only solution is castration. I'm sorry... Rain makes everything better.
Blarghagh Posted June 2, 2009 Author Posted June 2, 2009 You think you're funny, huh? YOU THINK YOU ARE GODDAMNED FUNNY!? Well, I laughed. But seriously. I'm starting to fear I'm never going to achieve anything and it's all my own fault but I don't know how to fix it.
Gfted1 Posted June 2, 2009 Posted June 2, 2009 Eh, deal with it tomorrow. "I'm your biggest fan, Ill follow you until you love me, Papa"
theslug Posted June 2, 2009 Posted June 2, 2009 If it's seriously starting to impact your life and affecting your livelihood it's time to seek out medical counsel. Nothing we say can help you. There's no tricks of the interwebs that can do any good here. There was a time when I questioned the ability for the schizoid to ever experience genuine happiness, at the very least for a prolonged segment of time. I am no closer to finding the answer, however, it has become apparent that contentment is certainly a realizable goal. I find these results to be adequate, if not pleasing. Unfortunately, connection is another subject entirely. When one has sufficiently examined the mind and their emotional constructs, connection can be easily imitated. More data must be gleaned and further collated before a sufficient judgment can be reached.
Gfted1 Posted June 2, 2009 Posted June 2, 2009 Yeah, I guess to be serious I should point out that it sounds a lot like ADD. "I'm your biggest fan, Ill follow you until you love me, Papa"
Pidesco Posted June 2, 2009 Posted June 2, 2009 It seems you're procrastinating over your procrastination. "My hovercraft is full of eels!" - Hungarian touristI am Dan Quayle of the Romans.I want to tattoo a map of the Netherlands on my nether lands.Heja Sverige!!Everyone should cuffawkle more.The wrench is your friend.
Gorgon Posted June 2, 2009 Posted June 2, 2009 Remove distractions. I used to go to the library to write uni stuff, it's a boring place, ain't **** to do but what you came there to do. Na na na na na na ... greg358 from Darksouls 3 PVP is a CHEATER. That is all.
Humodour Posted June 2, 2009 Posted June 2, 2009 I need help. I have serious problems getting work done. I let myself get distracted by all kinds of things. If there's nothing around to get distracted by, I even get distracted by my own thoughts. I prefer everything over work, even work that I know is important. I have almost no motivation, or if I do I make up factors to counteract those ("what if I don't do it good enough?"). And worst of all, most of this is unconscious and sometimes I don't even notice it until hours later. Sometimes I try to force myself to work and I still can't. Or I work for a few minutes, and then I stop paying attention for a second and suddenly I'm knee-deep in video game. I end up not even being able to work at some things until the deadline gets too close, and I have to stress out over it. I'm sick of that. Can anyone help me help myself? I have tried googling the subject but I find nothing useful. I hear you. Unfortunately that means I'm in the same boat and thus can't help. It's currently 2:14 AM, I have a C++ assignment due tomorrow before noon, I've got about 2 hours of coding left to do (which I haven't touched in days), and I'm about to say "I'll go to bed - I can do it tomorrow." And I probably could do it tomorrow, but I probably won't. *sigh*
Humodour Posted June 2, 2009 Posted June 2, 2009 Remove distractions. I used to go to the library to write uni stuff, it's a boring place, ain't **** to do but what you came there to do. Good advice. Except I then end up procrastinating going to the library to do the assignment. So the best thing to do is just standing up one day, walking out the door, heading to the library and then thinking about what you're going to do there. Helps if you take your flash drive.
Blarghagh Posted June 2, 2009 Author Posted June 2, 2009 (edited) If it's seriously starting to impact your life and affecting your livelihood it's time to seek out medical counsel. Nothing we say can help you. There's no tricks of the interwebs that can do any good here. Yeah, I was hoping that on this video game developer forum there might be people with experience. Yeah, I guess to be serious I should point out that it sounds a lot like ADD. I do fit the criteria ADHD Type 2 (Predominantly Inattentive) according to the DSM-IV if Wikipedia is to be believed, but I feel it is a learned behavior more than that. Occassionally I have bouts of motivation and I do weeks worth of work in five hours. I don't know if that fits ADD. It seems you're procrastinating over your procrastination. The irony hurts me, yes. Remove distractions. I used to go to the library to write uni stuff, it's a boring place, ain't **** to do but what you came there to do. The last time I tried something like that, I came home with intricate patterns and designs on my arms, made with simple pen and ink. I know this sounds like I am stubbornly avoiding this possible solution to keep procrastinating, but everything has the potential to distract me. My current job is a 3D special effects artist on an animated short film, I work in a basement with bare walls except for two pieces of concept art. All I have there is a computer and a render farm. Yet sometimes I zone out for long periods of time, sometimes hours of just staring into nothingness. Or at least, if I am thinking about something, I forget about it when I snap out of it. I guess I should think of seeking counsel. Good advice. Except I then end up procrastinating going to the library to do the assignment. Isn't it a pain? Edited June 2, 2009 by TrueNeutral
Killian Kalthorne Posted June 2, 2009 Posted June 2, 2009 This worked for me at college. When you have work to do yet want to play a game set up a goal to get a certain amount of work done. If you meet that goal reward yourself with playing a game you like for a set mount of hours, then its back to the grind. If you fail to meet a goal, snap your favorite game disc in half. Once you reach the goal, buy it again. This should train you enough to achieve your goals without sacrificing gaming. "Your Job is not to die for your country, but set a man on fire, and take great comfort in the general hostility and unfairness of the universe."
Blarghagh Posted June 2, 2009 Author Posted June 2, 2009 Haha! Well, I can't say for sure I have enough money to justify being a game that many times (and I expect it will be many). It is something I can try in a different way. I could make images of my games and bring the physical copies to somewhere else (say, my ladyfriend's house) and just delete the images. But there are more factors that distract me. And I'm not about to smash my guitars. Plus, even with no distractions sometimes I just can't bring myself to work.
Humodour Posted June 2, 2009 Posted June 2, 2009 Remove distractions. I used to go to the library to write uni stuff, it's a boring place, ain't **** to do but what you came there to do. The last time I tried something like that, I came home with intricate patterns and designs on my arms, made with simple pen and ink. I know this sounds like I am stubbornly avoiding this possible solution to keep procrastinating, but everything has the potential to distract me. My current job is a 3D special effects artist on an animated short film, I work in a basement with bare walls except for two pieces of concept art. All I have there is a computer and a render farm. Yet sometimes I zone out for long periods of time, sometimes hours of just staring into nothingness. Or at least, if I am thinking about something, I forget about it when I snap out of it. Sounds like you've got ADHD like me. I actually thought this before reading the start of your post (I read your post from the bottom up for some reason). If you fit the criteria, you'd be amazed how well dexamphetamine (the typical adult prescription for ADHD) helps you focus. However, if it truly is a learned behaviour dexamphetamine would do nothing but worsen your lack of concentration. Certainly worth discussing with an ADHD specialist (generally psychiatrists over here).
Kaftan Barlast Posted June 2, 2009 Posted June 2, 2009 One of the things that really helps against procrastination is structure. Clearly write up exactly what it is you have to do and in what order, then do it. And when you do it, you need to structure the work itself. The enemy is the moment you find yourself staring and the screen and not having a clue on where to begin (or go on). Thats when the brain wants to zone out. Like just now, I HATE writing reports and **** and it always takes forever to get around to writing it, aswellas actually writing it. But if I structure up the paper beforehand with dummy text and paragraphs, its much faster and feels easier. You just kind of fill in the blanks. Structure, aight? If you're a 3D monkey like me, its like when you try to make something without concept art or a drawing of some sort. It takes atleast three times as long for the same result. DISCLAIMER: Do not take what I write seriously unless it is clearly and in no uncertain terms, declared by me to be meant in a serious and non-humoristic manner. If there is no clear indication, asume the post is written in jest. This notification is meant very seriously and its purpouse is to avoid misunderstandings and the consequences thereof. Furthermore; I can not be held accountable for anything I write on these forums since the idea of taking serious responsability for my unserious actions, is an oxymoron in itself. Important: as the following sentence contains many naughty words I warn you not to read it under any circumstances; botty, knickers, wee, erogenous zone, psychiatrist, clitoris, stockings, bosom, poetry reading, dentist, fellatio and the department of agriculture. "I suppose outright stupidity and complete lack of taste could also be considered points of view. "
Blarghagh Posted June 2, 2009 Author Posted June 2, 2009 (edited) That does make sense, Kaftan. And your examples are familiar. I'll try that. Thanks. I think I will also make an appointment with my doctor. Maybe Krezack is right, and any help focusing is needed for me. Although pills seems kind of like a copout way and I sort of hope it isn't ADD because I somehow feel I should work for it? Atone for my sin of not doing my freaking job/work/even my own projects? Thank you peoples! Any other advice is still very welcome. Edited June 2, 2009 by TrueNeutral
Walsingham Posted June 2, 2009 Posted June 2, 2009 I need help. I have serious problems getting work done. I let myself get distracted by all kinds of things. If there's nothing around to get distracted by, I even get distracted by my own thoughts. I prefer everything over work, even work that I know is important. I have almost no motivation, or if I do I make up factors to counteract those ("what if I don't do it good enough?"). And worst of all, most of this is unconscious and sometimes I don't even notice it until hours later. Sometimes I try to force myself to work and I still can't. Or I work for a few minutes, and then I stop paying attention for a second and suddenly I'm knee-deep in video game. I end up not even being able to work at some things until the deadline gets too close, and I have to stress out over it. I'm sick of that. Can anyone help me help myself? I have tried googling the subject but I find nothing useful. Take a proper holiday. You'll find you're just overloaded. I had the same problem earlier this year until my Swedish foray. Five days not accepting any responsibility or doing anything work, and staring at young ladies. "It wasn't lies. It was just... bull****"." -Elwood Blues tarna's dead; processing... complete. Disappointed by Universe. RIP Hades/Sand/etc. Here's hoping your next alt has a harp.
Walsingham Posted June 2, 2009 Posted June 2, 2009 Tried that one, but it didn't work. In that case I suggest that I do your work for you. What is it? "It wasn't lies. It was just... bull****"." -Elwood Blues tarna's dead; processing... complete. Disappointed by Universe. RIP Hades/Sand/etc. Here's hoping your next alt has a harp.
Wrath of Dagon Posted June 2, 2009 Posted June 2, 2009 Heh, heh, ADHD. Used to be known as just plain laziness. But yes, starting with the easy parts sometimes helps. "Moral indignation is a standard strategy for endowing the idiot with dignity." Marshall McLuhan
Killian Kalthorne Posted June 2, 2009 Posted June 2, 2009 (edited) Haha! Well, I can't say for sure I have enough money to justify being a game that many times (and I expect it will be many). It is something I can try in a different way. I could make images of my games and bring the physical copies to somewhere else (say, my ladyfriend's house) and just delete the images. But there are more factors that distract me. And I'm not about to smash my guitars. Plus, even with no distractions sometimes I just can't bring myself to work. Maybe you should find different work. It sounds to me that the main reason why you are so distracted and cannot fouc on work is because you don't particularly like it. Also, a caring friend with a taser would help to. Edited June 2, 2009 by Killian Kalthorne "Your Job is not to die for your country, but set a man on fire, and take great comfort in the general hostility and unfairness of the universe."
Walsingham Posted June 2, 2009 Posted June 2, 2009 you may have to go the other way. Do some extreme sports (I hate that term). Convince your primate brain you are taking enough risks. Hey, the worst that can happen is you cripple yourself for life! "It wasn't lies. It was just... bull****"." -Elwood Blues tarna's dead; processing... complete. Disappointed by Universe. RIP Hades/Sand/etc. Here's hoping your next alt has a harp.
Humodour Posted June 3, 2009 Posted June 3, 2009 I think I will also make an appointment with my doctor. Maybe Krezack is right, and any help focusing is needed for me. Although pills seems kind of like a copout way and I sort of hope it isn't ADD because I somehow feel I should work for it? Atone for my sin of not doing my freaking job/work/even my own projects? You can feel guilty all you want, but that won't do you any good either way. If you've got ADHD then you're feeling guilty about your genetics. If you don't then you're working yourself into an unhealthy state of mind that's quite contrary to the one you're actually aiming for.
Humodour Posted June 3, 2009 Posted June 3, 2009 Heh, heh, ADHD. Used to be known as just plain laziness. But yes, starting with the easy parts sometimes helps. It takes a special kind of abject ignorance to confuse ADHD with laziness these days, given the wealth of neurological research on the topic.
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