Tag Archives: productivity

by | July 31, 2008 · 10:48 am

Arguing Against an Overly Supportive Environment (Interview with Devin)

We again welcome back Devin and thank him for taking the time to revisit us for another interview. Though our views often disagree, we certainly appreciate his concern, feedback, and suggestions for improvement. Today, he doesn’t hold anything back as he confronts us directly about still avoiding and not really taking concrete steps to deal with achieving meaningful change. The transcript of our interview is below.

Patrick: Welcome back Devin. I sense you’re eager to get started and still quite unhappy with us.

Devin:

Without a doubt, without a doubt! I see that not much significant has changed here since the last time we talked. At least, not in your postings or style. However, I am starting to sense some support from a few of the comments from other readers.

Patrick: Can you offer some specific examples of what you like?

Devin:

Absolutely! These words from a couple of readers…I totally agree with and I think is exactly what a lot of you need. That kind of slap in the face, via direct words, to wake up and not just constantly balance ideas, weighing back and forth, and seemingly forever in debate and reflection.

I think electrongasman put it quite accurately when he stated: “I think that on a theoretical level a group of like-minded people exhibit the same issues as the individuals, so where’s the impetus to move the group on against the inertia and impulse of habit?”

I agree in that you are in fact aggravating the situation by drawing a group towards your writing and methods. We usually think of support groups as being beneficial and promoting a friendly environment to share and empathize. However, with procrastinators, I don’t think we should try to manufacture such an agreeable, soft, ‘it’s okay’, kind of environment. It would serve procrastinators some good if they got used to more confrontation, pressure, disagreement, and just having less choices. A discplined environment would be more effective than a overly supportive one.

Patrick: Are you saying that it’s possible this project is doing more harm than good?

Devin:

There’s a good chance of that. As electrongasman mentioned, it’s even harder to instill change among a bigger group if the group starts to feel good about maintaining their old patterns. And your site, even if not on purpose, does promote that. You are making people feel a bit too comfortable with procrastination, and suddenly they get reinforced for not changing. The danger is now the group may think they are participating in change, addressing their procrastination problems, but in fact really making things worse. Going to gatherings, having distant discussions, writing in journals, while it all amounts to quite a bit of effort, does not equate to action and change.

Patrick: Are you worried that your approach can come across as quite patronizing and scare people off?

Devin:

Excellent. I think that is needed. To stimulate urgency and fear, and that there are people who are not on your side, and that’s just reality. Listen, I’m not in the business of feelings and I don’t worry about how hurt someone may get. Now, don’t get me wrong. I am not totally against support groups. But I do think the group can be more effective by holding members accountable. As electrongasman said, “It would be very easy to acclimate to confession and acceptance and so relieve some of the emotional issues, but much harder to engage the pain of change.”

I get the feeling that too many here are so fixated on the ’emotional issues’ that they are not willing to activate change because it would be too painful. It’s as if the end goal is to feel better, and then leave it at that.

Patrick:

Well, this is quite stimulating, and I certainly do not want to leave our conversation at that, but unfortunately our time is up today. We have to bring you back for more, Devin, and also would like to encourgage other people with experiences in procrastination to consider coming on for an interview to maybe offer points to further support or argue against Devin? Or maybe in the future we’ll even consider having Devin and another participant on at the same time to hopefully provide interesting discussion.

Devin:

I look forward to it. Patrick, you seem to be falling more and more into the role of moderator. Wish you would argue with me a little more, and show some anger…voice it up, instead of just leaving everything in your writing…sometimes a bit too passively.

Patrick:

Hehe..it’s tempting…maybe next time. Again, thanks for making us think…or I guess….you would prefer to make us act…not think so much. See you again.

4 Comments

Filed under Interview with the Procrastinators

Tagged as , , , , , , ,

by | July 15, 2008 · 9:23 am

Can I Get Another Set of Eyes to Look at This?

Hello. I am Pierce. I’ve been away. Doing what? Living out and piloting another idea for this procrastinator diary post. That’s my modus operandi. Have an idea. Go away. Leave. Disappear. Not write. Not write. Again, not write. Be left in peace with my procrastination. So, I can play out my ideas. Put it in action. Do some experiments. Come back. And, write.

Here is what I found during my time away. That, ironically, my isolated time spent alone has not been very productive. There was no urgency. There were no other set of eyes. There were no threats of evaluation, feedback, or witnesses to give evidence that I was living. Nobody noticed. Honey, telling people what I did during the day does not have the same effect as showing them directly what I do as they watch me.

This result and realization surprised me. I didn’t know. Look at me. I’m ashamed. I’m not as tough, insensitive, nor oblivious as I thought I was. Look at me. I’m writing. I’m working. Look at me. I need you. It’s so hard for me to say, but it is. God, I need people.

Is it so that I am not as intrinsically motivated as I thought? Funny. During this time away, I got more accomplished in two hours in the evening with all kinds of people buzzing around in the home and not much done during 8 hours of silence during the day. Is it the people I need or the sense that time is running out in the day?

Maybe I do need the pressure. Both with time and with people. So, for my next hiatus, can I test this out by throwing myself into an audience at every opportunity? Have an open house accompany me wherever I go?
However, if I end up getting the eventual stage fright, and don’t go through with this, procrastinators of course always have a backup plan to avoid being thrown into the social fire.

I’m already hard at work conjuring up which imaginary eyes to permanently engrave into my mind, so that daggers threaten to rain upon me at my every move. And just in case my imagination fails me, I’ve been drawing numerous eyes so intense that they need not other bodily features to disclose the identities they have provided for eternal history. These eyes ranging from all time will be placed all over my wall in case I try to waste my life again. On one upper corner example, from Zeus to Sisyphus to Medea to Kafka to Plath to Thurber. With these eyes giving me attention, how dare I not take risks to go deeper!

-Pierce

Leave a comment

Filed under Procrastinator Diaries (Pierce)

Tagged as , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

by | June 13, 2008 · 12:32 pm

Questioning the Procrastination Approach (Interview with Devin)

We are excited to present our first interview at this blog dealing with issues related to procrastination. Devin is our first participant, as he came across this blog while looking for methods to counteract and overcome the habit of putting off his priorities, tasks and, ultimately, his dreams. Devin wanted to volunteer and express his disagreement with a lot of what we are doing here. We appreciate his honesty and different perspectives. The transcript of the interview is below.

Patrick:
Thanks for taking the time to chat with me.

Devin:
It’s no problem at all. In fact, I warn you, I have to be blunt, because I feel like it’s important for me to express my views before too many procrastinators get carried away with what you’re doing here at this blog. I guess I’ve come as a warning, and to give my side because I don’t see much of the work here addressing any of my concerns.

Patrick:
Can you clarify what you mean? And don’t worry about holding back, or offending me, because it’s good feedback to know and learn about why certain materials are actually not help procrastinators.

Devin:
First off, I think too many of your posts have too much of an idealistic, playful tone. In essence, you are not taking the topic of ‘procrastination’ seriously enough. I stumbled upon your blog looking for ideas, methods, solutions, to deal with my own procrastination. Instead, I mostly found writing that perpetuated procrastination.

Patrick:
What do you mean by that? Can writing not be a means to be productive?

Devin:
Yes, it can, but too much of the writing here is just used to delay….at least that’s the sense I get. I mean, it’s great that you guys are having so much fun here, but all this time spent writing can be better spent directly dealing with the problem of procrastination. After exhausting yourselves with writing, what energy will you have left to do anything else?

Patrick:
I can understand your point Devin, but I guess part of the experiment with this blog is to explore the process a bit, and use writing as a means to do that. I mean writing is very helpful to hear about the experiences, the frustrations, and also the joys in dealing with this issue.

Devin:
I don’t have a problem with that, but I do worry about the imbalance. So much time is spent describing the experiences and how you procrastinate, but not enough time is used to deal with solving the problem. There just seems to be no urgency in this blog, in the writing, in the approach. You know what I mean?

Patrick:
But perhaps having too much urgency and a serious demeanor can cause more anxiety than it should. I’m maybe trying to introduce a perspective that considers a bit of lighter approach, noticing the humor, and that will put us in a better frame of mind to pick out what is really important.

Devin:
Sorry, not good enough. You lack discipline, structure, fortitude. What? Just share experiences all your life? Again, I maybe sounding harsh, but perhaps I’m just going to the extreme so you see what is obvious and most direct. By being indirect, talking around the issue, trying to write stories with hidden underlying meanings, it may be interesting for creativity, but not if you’re trying to solve procrastination. If my quick observations are correct, I think I’m the only one so far to give somewhat negative and critical feedback on your blog. There’s too much soothing, accepting, and keep going on what you’re doing kind of response here.

Some visitors may even mistake that you are promoting procrastination. Actually, come to think of it, I’m not even sure? Are you promoting it?

Patrick:
I don’t know if I would say it in those terms, but I am exploring other angles to it.

Devin:
Hey, I enjoy some of the writing here as well. Just want some more balance, and just want to tell you that a lot of people who came here with a purpose and expecting something, are getting nothing close to that. I’m sure there are some who are pleasantly surprised, but would there also be some who say you are avoiding what is most central?

Patrick:
Thank you Devin for these points. I have to admit, many of them I did not consider, and certainly some of your perspectives may need to be looked at for future posts.

Devin:
Thanks for having me, and thanks for letting me come on even though you knew beforehand that I’m quite critical and question the effectiveness in how the blog is helping procrastinators. Indeed, some people who worry about procrastinating may feel that you are not treating the subject seriously enough. Having said that, perhaps your target audience is a bit different?

Patrick:
Interesting points. A good way to end off this interview, providing food for thought that we can discuss further as we meet new participants interested in this subject. Thanks again, Devin, and hope you will return again to share your ideas.

 

 

5 Comments

Filed under Interview with the Procrastinators

Tagged as , , , , , , , , ,

by | May 27, 2008 · 9:33 am

Can Clothing Make You Act Urgently?

I was admittedly having a zoned-out, not so focused moment, at work the other day. You know, those moments when your eyes are wide open, but you see nothing? Those moments when you begin a trance at a certain time, move out of it to notice that 24 minutes have gone by, but it appears none of your surroundings around you have changed at all. Why do I want to use the word ‘write-off’ at times such as these? I’m a ‘write-off’, a ‘write-off’, a ‘write-off’, just write me off.

Anyways, excuse me. That day, after my trance, I had to recover, so snuck in a couple bites of my tuna sandwich in between work gestures and poses. While masticating and producing sound bites that would not shame a metronome, I almost seduced myself into taking another meditative trip if it weren’t for a ‘suit and tie’ suddenly appearing in my peripheral.

At its appearance, I immediately lost all timing in my chewing and just swallowed. Hard and fast, so that I wouldn’t be caught doing customer service with my mouth full. I momentarily also turned around to wipe the evidentary remnants of my previous pleasure off my lips with the underside of my shirt, allowing the crumbs to settle nicely into the crevices of my now humid body, away and safe from view.

The ‘suit and tie’ guy continued to browse while I made up for lost time by working more during that half hour than I had the previous two. As a person struggling with procrastination, I want to know WHY! During that half hour, the ‘suite and tie’ guy did not once interact with me, or request any help, and seemed to enjoy his private time. I did not have to do anything for him directly in any way. Yet I worked, and was productive, and wanted desperately for him to see me as a working professional.

WHY! WHAT! I ask myself now, would I have had such an allergic reaction if a ‘hoodie’ or ‘sweatshirt’ had appeared in my peripheral vision? Perhaps not. My guess is that I would have continued my unaltered, metronome pace, oblivious to anything outside my procrastinations. So, does this mean I need some more stress in my life to make me act? Do I need business clothing to watch my every move? Or maybe just to have business clothing in the vicinity? Do I need some fear of being observed by a bigger brother?

That night I experimented by quickly changing into a suit and tie and observing the effects it had on other people, with particular attention towards my father. All it did was elicit a laugh from him and a terse question, “What are you doing?”
Okay, probably the wrong context. The next few days, I’m going to dress it up, even at home, and see if there is some natural biofeedback that stirs me into a frenzy working mode.

Am I desperate woman?

-Dawn

Leave a comment

Filed under Procrastinator Diaries (Dawn)

Tagged as , , , , , , , ,

by | May 23, 2008 · 4:46 pm

Getting Tasks Done Before They Get On A List?

In previous diary entries, ‘lists’ have been a prominent topic in its relationship to procrastination. They tended to evaluate ‘lists’ negatively, as they seem to work against, instead of aiding, efficiency and productivity.

So far, many entries, and writing seem to emphasize a lot of details concerning experiences which are frustrating, though humorous, and methods that are not working. In an attempt to find some balance, and also give those visitors looking for ideas to overcome procrastination, I decided to reference another site/blog that gives some good tips.

The site is at http://www.theglobeandmail.com/blogs/wschachter (Please copy and paste into another browser window because direct linking to this blog slowed down our site) and is titled: “Seven measures of productivity tips and tools.” You can look in the April 2008 archives (April 21) to find the post.

Harvey Schachter gives some concise, easy to understand points, that are optimistic in tone and encouraging to put into action. Having just come across the article earlier this week, I haven’t had a chance to put it into action much. However, already, I found one tip particular useful in attacking my initial procrastination.

It concerns acting right away especially on tasks that can be accomplished in under 5 minutes. That means these tasks I shouldn’t even let get to my official ‘to-do’ lists. It sounds simple, not radical, but effective in reducing my lists. Because they don’t make to any list, I don’t have to think about it, order, or debate it – they just get done before my thoughts start to interfere. Before long, after knocking off many of these mini-tasks, they start to add up, and I realize I already got some chunks accomplished before even getting to a list.

On a emotional, and psychological level, it provides a boost. The feeling is similar to having a productive warm up prior to a workout. The circulation is going, the mood is elevated, and the focus is right there. After a good warm up, it’s easier to get going on bigger and more time consuming items on a list or scheduler.

Before I get too excited at this slight hint of progress, Mr. Schachter warns that there should be a time limit on these mini-tasks that you do right away. I certainly can understand why as it’s quite easy to loose track of time and spend almost half the day on email!

To continue with the workout analogy, the main thing I’ve improved since reading the article is that instead of using my warm up time to plan all the intricate exercises in my main workout, I actually use the warm up time to directly warm up and do exercises that prepare me for the main workout.

Overall, I guess it’s a strange way to look at it, but I’m trying to do all I can to prevent tasks from even making it to my ‘to-do’ lists, by finishing them so I don’t have to write it down and remember to do it later. Of course this won’t always work, but this kind of reverse psychology results in some more explosiveness during the mornings.

-pat

5 Comments

Filed under Procrastinator Diaries (Pat)

Tagged as , , , , , , , , ,

by | May 22, 2008 · 1:02 pm

A Presentation Without Gel, Comb, Nor Towel

Upcoming presentation in a matter of minutes. Bladder. Need to empty beforehand or risk requesting a sudden exit and interruption later on. Worse yet, risk increasing the humidity with an embarrassment down there.

Okay, now in washroom. Feels good. Takes care of that. Rehearse, breathe. Yes, damn, check appearance. Looks horrible. What a disaster. Wait. Hygiene first. Wash hands, get them ready for shaking. Scrub. Nervous. Scrub more.

Okay, time is of the essence now. Got to go. Wait. Forgot appearance. Presentation important. What to do with this rebellious hair. Hair spray. Yes, no. Hair gel, yes, no! Forgot them both. Damn. Hands, dripping wet. In no condition for shaking. Towels…what? Out of stock, of course, in this washroom. Use the hands dryer. No. All of them taken. Got to go now. Out the door.

Everything good. Dry. Man. A man. What happened between this calmly assured state now and the utter chaos and panic in the washroom? The time difference was less than 10 seconds! These are the moments that require an effective short cut. Hands dripping wet, needed to dry. Hair uncombed. Use hair as towel, use hands as comb. Also need luck with short cuts. Yesterday, no shower. Hair slightly sticky. Therefore, more amenable with hand as comb. It holds.

So stupid, so ridiculous. Who thinks of this? It requires no thinking and here it’s presented with such foolish elaboration. Feels like an entire presentation was already conducted with all this energy expenditure without even beginning. Maybe that’s just it?

-Patrick Law

3 Comments

Filed under Short Cuts

Tagged as , , , , , , , , ,

by | May 20, 2008 · 10:55 pm

How Laziness Caused An Environmentally-Friendly Accident

At work, posted on the wall, is a list of reminders of what to do each day before leaving for home too quickly. These are so mandatory, regardless of any twists and turns, that they must be done routinely and a check mark should be placed in a box beside the task.

This morning was the first day back after a 3 day long weekend, meaning our workplace was closed during that period. Therefore, the columns and tasks for Saturday and Sunday still had open and unmarked check boxes. Normally, at the start of each week, we replace the sheet with a new blank one, which is practically spotless, as if to remind us that we have done nothing yet this week.

I didn’t replace it. When asked, I presented my justification in this way. There were still two open days left, Saturday and Sunday, since we were closed. Today is Tuesday. Why don’t I substitute Saturday and Sunday with Tuesday and Wednesday? Or even draw lines in the middle of the squares to make one square become two? Then I can add a couple more days?

When onlookers tried to grapple with the congested mess I had made, I came up with a scorcher of a closing argument. I wanted to save paper – be environmentally friendly. Sounds good, doesn’t it? It must have, as people stopped bothering me and seemed to accept my reasoning. If so, why am I still dwelling on this well into the night? Normally, using such short cuts are meant to be a humorous release. Unfortunately, in this case, I am worried that I have sullied the environmental cause and borrowed their paradigm for my selfishness.

I was, in fact, lazy to print another task sheet of daily procedures with check boxes. I took a short cut and drew some in, made some substitutions, and saved some time in order to have more time to procrastinate at work and come up with this story. I often end up protecting the environment in round-about, indirect ways, but I am not a card carrying environmentalist. If my approach to religion is similar, would I make it to heaven?

-Patrick Law

2 Comments

Filed under Short Cuts

Tagged as , , , , , , , , , , ,

by | May 16, 2008 · 10:58 pm

Making a ‘To-Do’ List of What I Don’t Have To Do

I just read Dawn’s latest diary entry.

She was talking about using ‘to-do’ lists and how they can actually be self-defeating, especially for procrastinators. I would definitely have to agree with her. In fact, at times, I find myself even going more extreme and off the edge when it comes to being obsessive about lists.

Dawn mentioned holding off doing a task until she actually physically puts it on a list. I, on the flip side, have already completed simple tasks, but then delay and waste time retroactively putting them on my calendar and list, just so that I can cross them out. I guess it’s not really a ‘to-do’ list, but a ‘have-done’ list.

I have to ask myself if I need to congratulate myself on the littlest of tasks by making evidence of it. Look mom, look at all the items I crossed out! The time I spent thinking, and trying to remember all that I’ve already done, and documenting it…that time could be better spent working on the next task.

Do I do it to guarantee success? I’m going to put on my ‘to-do’ list items that I’ve already done; therefore, I’m able to cross off everything on my ‘to-do’ list. Look mom, no hands! (That’s probably because she’s still holding mine…)

In essence, mine is a list of what I don’t have to do. Splendid.

-pat

6 Comments

Filed under Procrastinator Diaries (Pat)

Tagged as , , , , ,

by | May 15, 2008 · 9:17 pm

The Empowerment in Being Listless?

Will lists help procrastinators? There are widgets in igoogle, mac widgets, or just plane yellow sticky notes or day planners may do as well. Do they help?

For me, sheepishly, I find myself cheating the system and almost making it counterproductive. There may be a task that can be done within a minute or two, but I put off doing it until I can go to my computer and enter it into the fancy widget. Then I may or may not do it, because I see a whole bunch of other tasks on the list that may need tending to.

Sometimes, even very simple and quick tasks, I purposely put on the list so I can feel a satisfaction of crossing it out. Quite honestly, there is no real satisfaction, especially when I realize it takes me so much effort, planning, to do what most do without thinking. I’m almost tempted to put the word ‘breathe’ on my list, and then cross it out. Repeatedly. What happens when one day I forget to look it up? And don’t cross it out? Will I die? Will I forget to breathe?

Ridiculous! Maybe this is a warning for me to not take lists so seriously. As I’m writing this, I’m currently hugging my knee towards myself and having a good laugh. If I can bottle up this feeling, maybe can learn to relax and let go in the future, and allow somebody else to hug me like this.

-Dawn

1 Comment

Filed under Procrastinator Diaries (Dawn)

Tagged as , , , ,

by | May 15, 2008 · 8:09 pm

Never Really Starting…

Exciting! Butterflies! Anxious! Motivated! A whole range of emotions are going through my mind right now as I make my first entry into this diary. There is a significant amount of fear since this project may actually force me to confront issues and areas that I want to avoid, but hopefully it will also make me accountable.

There is no hiding the fact that I have a procrastination problem. But I guess the purpose is that by keeping a consistent record of my process, I can learn from it, others can learn from it, and I can reflect and put into action some kind of change. Will I be very much different by the end of this? Well, let’s try to get there first.

Already, in this brief initial entry, many may have already noticed a problem. I keep on introducing and introducing, setting up, and preparing, and never getting to any core of the matter. In fact, I think this is true with many of my writing, and maybe why I never seem to follow through to any satisfactory completion.

I admit, I do a lot of preamble because I fear getting to the meat. Maybe I have no substance? Will people see my nakedness if I write to the point, revealing that I hold nothing of importance?

By the time I talk around everything, I feel like I’ve exhausted the topic and brainwashed myself into thinking that the quantity of words actually equate to a worthwhile effort.

Sobering. My whole life has been nothing more than a prelude of introductions! Useless piece of….

-Dawn

Leave a comment

Filed under Procrastinator Diaries (Dawn)

Tagged as , , ,