Distraction and Procrastination (the REAL reason why I'm broke)

boatBurner

boatBurner

shutup, crime!
Feb 24, 2012
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The Problem

At twenty-five, I've realized that my generation is a mixed bag of early adopters and the late majority at an exceptionally higher rate than is defined by the law of diffusion of innovations. Our ability to learn about a new technology and put it into full-swing application is awesome. Mobile technology + online social communities + instantaneous news feeds = an unprecedented level of hyperactivity and content availability. So much so that it can be a formidable foe in the world of getting shit done.

Those of you who know me know that I'm in the military. I devote 2-3 hours on weeknights and 8-12 hours on weekends for side projects. And despite my excitement, despite my full understanding of what needs to get done, I'm no stranger to missing a deadline or waking up Monday wondering what I truly accomplished over the last seven days.

I guess I'd call it a procrastination hangover.

Last week, I watched a pretty interesting video highlighted over at LifeHacker about the science of procrastination and how to manage it.

In it, they mention a few different techniques including the Pomodoro Technique which is essentially some gimmicky way to manage your time and cut out the distractions (in fairness, I didn't review the entire concept). But what I did take away from it was the anti-climatic discovery that I'm wasting entirely too much time reading about current events, I2E's 55 Ways to make a post thread (I read it all), and other non-essential content.

TL;DR: Content is killing my time!

The Solution (Beta v1.0)

If the progress of the activity you are currently performing does not influence the progress of any one of your other priorities, dump it or find a way to make it more meaningful.

So how can I possibly apply this to my professional life? As a freelance web designer, I may take on a few personal SEO projects that may or may not payout. Regardless, they are inadvertently adding value to my work as a freelance designer by means of experience and/or new portfolio content. That is obviously a very basic example. I could sum it up and say, "Dabble in relevant professional work." But what about leveraging your personal life in a way that inadvertently adds value to your professional life?

My wife and I eat fast food. She's had four kids. She's fat these days, and we would like to change that. By engaging in a transformation, we are helping ourselves improve the quality of our lives. By logging the transformation online, we are exploring a potential professional avenue. Again, a basic concept but I think you get the idea.

The idea of participating in activities that allow for progress across more than one priority of our lives is an incredible habit to get into. I do think it will take a lot of practice, but I wanted to know if you guys had or are currently finding any success in a similar time management method?
 


Just identify your problems, and work on them with a focused intent. I think the intent the most important part. Really pay attention to your actions, instead of cruising through life with blindfolds on. Make those required changes, and keep practicing until it becomes a habit.

As far as weight loss goes, that's one I am dealing with right now. But I have managed to lose 20 lbs recently. What I can tell you is that I did a considerable amount of reading on bodybuilding.com and basically boiled weight loss down to a few simple rules, which is to cut down on carbs to 50-100 grams a day, drink water, water, and more water, and throw in some movement to get the blood flowing (walking, omg how easy is that).

GLB
 
Instrumentalist said:
a few simple rules, which is to cut down on carbs to 50-100 grams a day, drink water, water, and more water, and throw in some movement to get the blood flowing (walking, omg how easy is that).
Click to expand...

Just to add on if anyone needs some simple tips. If you do any physical activities or work out, then I highly suggest drinking a glass of milk afterwards (typically around 30 minutes is good). The science behind it is that you'll be able to burn more weight than drinking water, and you'll also be able to build more muscle.
 
I've been battling the same thing.

I'm all about efficiency and doing what will give the greatest result for the least amount of effort and leveraging that.

Call it what you want, but there's only so much time in the day and I believe that is the best key to success.

Find the crucial points of what is bringing you the greatest returns, and focus on that.

Find out what is taking up most of your time, and outsource that.

I have had this fear of hiring people because I thought they would copy me, but in reality most don't have the same holistic learning and ability to see the big picture that most of us on here do. And overcoming this and just hiring them has worked out great.

I agree with experiences IRL helping you grow your business. I'm huge into self development. And I've been working on developing a blog around it right now. It isn't my most profitable venture, but it definitely is one of the most rewarding. But I know it's gonna continue to grow and I like doing it, so that helps a ton.
 
Chief Broham said:
If you do any physical activities or work out, then I highly suggest drinking a glass of milk afterwards (typically around 30 minutes is good). The science behind it is that you'll be able to burn more weight than drinking water, and you'll also be able to build more muscle.
Click to expand...

Also, for muscle recovery, chocolate milk following a workout has been scientifically proven to aid in recovery.

Chocolate Milk Gives Athletes Leg-up After Exercise, Says University of Texas at Austin Study | News

Gambit said:
I agree with experiences IRL helping you grow your business. I'm huge into self development. And I've been working on developing a blog around it right now. It isn't my most profitable venture, but it definitely is one of the most rewarding. But I know it's gonna continue to grow and I like doing it, so that helps a ton.
Click to expand...

I think there are only three reasons worth blogging:

  1. Make money.
  2. Add value to an industry/community.
  3. Earn credibility in an industry/community.
I started a blog about learning to code and basically regurgitate my summary of the knowledge I've gained from independent study because I learn concepts very well when I have to give my own explanation of them. I'll eventually leverage this blog when I start to become more active in Ruby communities, and it may one day help others and I'll add some kind of monetary element to it. But the point is, it serves multiple priorities on a direct or potential level. Thus, I consider it a good use of my time.


Side note: Thing I love about coding communities is that there is a big stigma about the freedom of information whereas the marketing communities tend to guard their knowledge. Understandable, but a refreshing perspective nonetheless.
 
Are you organized?

I switched from using todo lists to the GTD (Getting Things Done) system. I had problems concentrating on something because I always had something else in mind that had to be done. But by being completely organized it gives the mind peace and whenever I have one of those moments where I am about to be unproductive when I shouldn't, I can just pick something from the todo stack and start working.
 
hehejo said:
Are you organized?

I switched from using todo lists to the GTD (Getting Things Done) system. I had problems concentrating on something because I always had something else in mind that had to be done. But by being completely organized it gives the mind peace and whenever I have one of those moments where I am about to be unproductive when I shouldn't, I can just pick something from the todo stack and start working.
Click to expand...

Are you using any particular app for this
 
OP - I use the Pomodoro technique and I love it. There is a simple Android app for it if you want to check it out.
 
Starting takes the most amount of courage, keeping going is easy. Trick yourself into making starting easy and attractive, break down tasks until they look easily actionable and attractive to you. If the first task on your list is 'finish working on layout and write 5 articles', that's a completely unattractive, disorganized and vague task.

I was huge on pen and paper at one point but everything is so much easier on the phone with re-organizable check lists, not to mention when you're somewhere else and think of things to do or try out and you start scribbling on random papers and having an unorganized mess.

I use a combination of note everything and google calendar sync'd in business calendar widget(all android). My tasks are always broken down enough that there's NO thinking required, ONLY doing. You don't need to motivate yourself for the day, you don't even need to motivate yourself for an hour, you ONLY need to motivate yourself for the next tiny step you need to do.

Even if it's something you love doing, you won't want to do it all the time. If you really love it, you'll come back naturally time and time again. If you don't actually love it, you can only lie to yourself for so long.

There's actually a thing called 'flow' where you forget everything else except what you're doing. This usually happens when you have an enthusiasm for what you're working on and no distractions.

Don't have any alcohol in the house, except on the weekends and don't buy more than you'll be able to drink for the event. Same goes if you like smoking, don't smoke yourself out as an excuse to doing supposed to be doing.

Resisting things saps your energy. Give yourself less things to resist in your environment. Dr.Ngo posted a while ago about having his laptop or pad device for sites like reddit and only accessing them from that device and blocking them on his work PC. This is a great idea/execution of controlling your environment to make it conducive to your end goals.

Make folders such as 'create', 'learning', 'spirit(motivation type material). I used to have it all together and I'd often fool myself into thinking I'm in working mode, but in reality I'd spend my time researching and thinking.

Give yourself rewarded OFF time.

In bed before going to sleep, review what you've accomplished for the day. If you feel regret that you didn't accomplish enough that day it means you've got your feelings invested in your project(which is the best). If you have a nonchalant attitude about it, maybe it's time to review why you're doing it at all.

Audiobooks and ebooks are a fucking gold mine. I'm currently listening to predictably irrational after finishing willpower:rediscovering the greatest human strength(after seeing it on this forum). Finally reading think and grow rich, a classic with plenty of solid advice that I put off for too long.

Like my friend ncmedia would say, "Stop theorizing, and do."
 
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Somethings that helped me be more productive.
Multitasking does not work focus on one thing.
Get rid of all video games.
Get two monitors.
Download the action machine.
Listen to the 4 hour work week audiobook at least once a month.
Order pramiracetam.
Meditation.
And the most important do the biggest task first thing in the morning.
 
conjamuk said:
Somethings that helped me be more productive.
Multitasking does not work focus on one thing.
Get rid of all video games.
Get two monitors.
Download the action machine.
Listen to the 4 hour work week audiobook at least once a month.
Order pramiracetam.
Meditation.
And the most important do the biggest task first thing in the morning.
Click to expand...

Two monitors sound like multi-tasking to me.
 
no organization system in the world will fix a lack of passion. My advice is to get angry and let that fuel your work. Pick some competitor and make it your goal to crush them, even if they don't know you exist. Few things are as motivating as competition and anger. Sounds weird, but give it a shot.
 
dchuk said:
no organization system in the world will fix a lack of passion. My advice is to get angry and let that fuel your work. Pick some competitor and make it your goal to crush them, even if they don't know you exist. Few things are as motivating as competition and anger. Sounds weird, but give it a shot.
Click to expand...

Sounds like that would take a lot of ambition. Its just easier to just go with the flow. That way you can be like everyone else
 
dchuk said:
no organization system in the world will fix a lack of passion. My advice is to get angry and let that fuel your work. Pick some competitor and make it your goal to crush them, even if they don't know you exist. Few things are as motivating as competition and anger. Sounds weird, but give it a shot.
Click to expand...

I had a conversation with a friend about this the other day. And I agree, pure rage passion is one hell of a fuel source. But after a while, too much of it makes me feel like the young kid learning Kung Fu from the old master who keeps getting his ass kicked because of mistakes he is making out of unorganized emotion. Maybe the two aren't analogous, but I definitely see the benefit of adding organization to the equation.

I think two monitors would be worthwhile. As someone who learns "on the job", having the ability to reference from one monitor while applying on the next would make things almost "streamline". That = $ in many respects.

As far as productivity tools, Masahable has a pretty good list of tools for getting things accomplished:

http://mashable.com/2009/01/29/getting-things-done/

And Quora has one hell of an extensive answer regarding the topic (probably more depth than the Mashable article) and is worth taking a look at:
Startup Advice and Strategy: What are the best productivity tools for entrepreneurs? - Quora

But to be honest, I've tried many of these tools and it's hard to make the full transition. I don't know if it's the couple of hours required to pre-setup your tools in order for them to be effective that is discouraging, or if I get more gratification out of the simplicity of a pen and paper, but I never seem to stick with one of these apps.

Plus, I've realized as far as organization goes, I need more help building my daily routine than I do organizing actual tasks. I found a great article at LifeHacker that captures exactly what I mean, and it's a great read:

Program Your Day to Defeat Distractions and Stick to Your Daily Routine
 
Seems like this topic popups every week here.

I wrote a post about this a few weeks ago

How to Focus

Productivity can be complex because people have different reasons why they are procrastinating.

What really helped me was MEASURING my productivity. I started by using pomodoros of 50 mins work / 10 mins break. When I'm in a pomodoro, I don't get distracted. Why? All websites are blocked, my phone's in another room, my skype's on invisible.

If I get distracted, I ask myself WHY, and I make sure it doesn't happen again. So lets say I only worked 3 hours today. Good, now I'm trying to work 3 hours and 30 minutes tomorrow.

The ability to focus is a MUSCLE. You're not going to overnight just snap and become super motivated. You have to work and train at it everyday.

The 2nd part of productivity would probably be the WHY. No amount of productivity, GTD bullshit's going to work if you're not passionate about anything in life. Figure out what drives you, what you want to work towards. When you have that burning desire and passion, you don't give a fuck about surfing Reddit or checking Facebook.
 
I think you have multiple problems here mate.

You need to pick 3 major things you want to accomplish and tackle each one of them on their own. Trying to lose weight, bang out a portfolio, and build side income all at the same time while holding down a day job is only going to fuck you over.

I assume you can't get out of your day job, so pick on the 3 major tasks and focus on just that. If its weight loss, then you focus on only that until you lose 20-30lbs from cutting back on carbs and running and getting healthy. Once that happens, you will have a good routine up setup for this new healthy lifestyle more then likely and can take on another major task like building up your portfolio of freelance work.

Without passion though and the will power to want and do it, you will just keep failing though.

I have my own complex method, but it involves:
1. working on the biggest/hardest task first in the morning ( eat that frog method )
2. pomodoro
3. timeboxing
4. 80/20 and agile methods ( biggest impact and 3 important tasks for the day/week/month/year )
5. zero inbox
6. tracking time and blocking leeches with shit like leechblock and waste no time ( blocks sites on browser for you )

I pick 3 important things I need to do for the day/week and start on them with the hardest or most hated first. I make sure these tasks are only tasks that get me to my goals and not some BS tasks that wont help me reach MY goals. They have to be big impact tasks. If its some BS like running to the store or hooking up with my accountant, I let someone else take care of that shit... those tasks are not getting me closer to MY goals. Get it?

I think pomodoro and timebox my way thru those tasks until they are done. I block all sites with Waste No Time plugin and leechblock and also remove all distraction like phones and IM messages and even play my music loud to drown out everything else.

I always keep a zero inbox to so I am not distracted by incoming email or shit left hanging around in the inbox.

Focus man, believe in yourself, and take action... right now in your life you are stuck in "paralyze" mode. Taking actionable steps is better then results for you right now, just take the steps man, forget the result. Once you get good at taking steps, then seek results.
 
eliquid said:
bunch of useful shit
Click to expand...

eliquid, I'm actually trying to find ways to tie multiple tasks (personal and professional) into a combination that benefit a handful of existing (and manageable) priorities.

You and someone before you had mentioned the Pomodoro technique (and I mentioned it in my OP as well) - is this technique worth purchasing? I thought it sounded a bit too gimmicky, but having been the second mention of it, I thought you might be able to shed some light on it?
 
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