Philosophical Vegan Forum

So I have been Procrastinating since middle school and I am in college now and still do it. It has gotten so bad to were I will do my work at the last minuet, and I literally mean the last minuet before class. I plead with my teacher to let me retake it or extra credit and that typically works. I always get nice teachers but, I don't want to take advantage of that. Once I get a job in cyber security I can't just ask my boss to give me an extra day when I haven't even started. I practically have to fight myself to stay on task.

The things I have tried to stop Procrastinating:
-Given myself rewards (I just gave it myself even if I didn't finish it)
-Write out a scheduled (just say I will do it before bed)
-Work with a group (This works the best however, I do not want to rely on others.)

If anyone knows of another way that has helped you or someone else please tell me.

I think your teachers are actually harming your motivation by allowing you to do that. I'd stop pleading with my teachers and see if they actually fail me, or even ask them specifically to not allow me such things. You may find yourself better motivated when there are actual consequences to failing.

Working with a group is always nice, especially if it provides a competitive environment.

You may just not be cut out for what you're studying and could benefit from switching to a different department, something more in line with your passions and talents. Why do you want to get a job in cyber security?

What helped me with motivation was to drop out of college and start working, but you probably shouldn't do that in your field. Are the classes in your school informative?

Jaywalker wrote:I think your teachers are actually harming your motivation by allowing you to do that. I'd stop pleading with my teachers and see if they actually fail me, or even ask them specifically to not allow me such things. You may find yourself better motivated when there are actual consequences to failing.

I will try that out next semester.

Jaywalker wrote:You may just not be cut out for what you're studying and could benefit from switching to a different department, something more in line with your passions and talents. Why do you want to get a job in cyber security?

Well Cyber Security is my passion I am still taking math, and science. I haven't taken a cyber security course yet so I don't know if I will procrastinate or not. My Talents are blacksmithing(more of a hobby), coding, and cooking. But, I defiantly enjoy coding and it has a high pay check.

Changing environments can work. Habits are context-dedendent, so it's typically harder to get work done in the same place as you spend your free time. Go to the most tryhard and super serious part of your university (law department is a good bet) where other students are working and not being noisy. That works well as a motivator

knot wrote:Changing environments can work. Habits are context-dedendent, so it's typically harder to get work done in the same place as you spend your free time. Go to the most tryhard and super serious part of your university (law department is a good bet) where other students are working and not being noisy. That works well as a motivator

There is a section in the library that is designated as a study area. I will definitely try doing my work there.

_Doc wrote: I will try that out next semester.

More procrastinating. If you procrastinate about trying techniques to help you not procrastinate, that's not very helpful.

I wouldn't ask your teachers that, though.

You need to realize that if you don't do something right away, you will not do it.

_Doc wrote:-Given myself rewards (I just gave it myself even if I didn't finish it)

Don't give it to yourself if you didn't finish. Make sure rewards are never essential vital functions like sleep, water, or sustenance, since those can inhibit your ability to work.
You can also punish yourself for not finishing.
It has to be:
1. Something unlimited that you won't run out of
2. That you aren't too much of a pussy to do
3. That you won't get used to
4. Obviously, that doesn't cause permanent damage

Electricity is your best bet. How much do you know about electrical engineering?

Money is another option, although you usually need a third party for accountability, and it CAN run out.

"Hey Bob, if I don't finish my essay by 6:00 p.m I owe you twenty bucks. And another ten bucks for every half hour I am late."
Make sure Bob is big enough to beat the shit out of you if you don't pay up.

_Doc wrote: -Write out a scheduled (just say I will do it before bed)

Your schedule must include milestones which can be objectively evaluated (not subjective ones), and must include times at which each are due throughout the day.
It must also include consequences for being late, which increase the more you are late.
Set alarms for each due time, and if it goes off, even if you're 99% done, you must accept the consequence. Even if you get distracted by something, or there's a fire alarm. Absolutely no exceptions.

Electricity and a beating, that's some hardcore motivation right there!

brimstoneSalad wrote:

_Doc wrote:-Given myself rewards (I just gave it myself even if I didn't finish it)

Don't give it to yourself if you didn't finish. Make sure rewards are never essential vital functions like sleep, water, or sustenance, since those can inhibit your ability to work.
You can also punish yourself for not finishing.
It has to be:
1. Something unlimited that you won't run out of
2. That you aren't too much of a pussy to do
3. That you won't get used to
4. Obviously, that doesn't cause permanent damage

Electricity is your best bet. How much do you know about electrical engineering?

Money is another option, although you usually need a third party for accountability, and it CAN run out.

"Hey Bob, if I don't finish my essay by 6:00 p.m I owe you twenty bucks. And another ten bucks for every half hour I am late."
Make sure Bob is big enough to beat the shit out of you if you don't pay up.

I think punishment will be my last attempt. As of right now changing my environment to a location with zero distractions, away from traffic/noise has made me stay on task. I Have actually continually worked on my essay for a strait 4 hours! I don't know if that doesn't sound like a long time but to me it is an improvement. But, if this fails then I will go with electric shock or maybe go cheap(the pussy way out : P) and just get rubber bands.

brimstoneSalad wrote:

_Doc wrote: -Write out a scheduled (just say I will do it before bed)

Your schedule must include milestones which can be objectively evaluated (not subjective ones), and must include times at which each are due throughout the day.
It must also include consequences for being late, which increase the more you are late.
Set alarms for each due time, and if it goes off, even if you're 99% done, you must accept the consequence. Even if you get distracted by something, or there's a fire alarm. Absolutely no exceptions.

I shall add more reminders for each hour when I have to do work. As well as make my reminders more specific so my reminders are not just "Work on essay" but "Write out ruff draft" or "Do all 25 questions on the math homework".

Jaywalker wrote:Electricity and a beating, that's some hardcore motivation right there!

The beating just forces you to pay up, the money loss is the actual motivation. Hopefully you never really get beaten.

Rubber bands can work, unless you're getting quite a bit of punishment, in which case it could cause some damage. The trouble is snapping strength is a bit unreliable, depending on where it is and how high you pull it back. You might have to build a mechanism that gave consistent snaps.

_Doc wrote:I will try that out next semester.

Irony.