Ask HN: How did you fix or improve your lack of self-discipline? if you've struggled with procrastination but made some progress, how did you do it? I seem to always follow this self-destructive pattern of postponing tasks. I get by fine, simply by doing stuff last second, but am very anxious most of the time because of it. On the few occasions I managed to be on top of a project I was immensely less stressed. If I could do this more, I feel like I could achieve 1000% more. |
I’d say think back to times when you were able to be disciplined. Was there a gamification of the task going on or little wins along the way? Those might help.
The not so great part is I haven’t figured out how to fix it so I can’t answer that lol (also adhd myself). Meds can hep but only to some extent, though med + therapy + healthy habits might be very effective.
To OP - go to your doc/gp and ask for an adhd evaluation.
(I’m normally very cautious with medical suggestions online but tbh this reads like a classic case of adhd to my moderately-well read self. If any medical professionals/folks who are aware of this field/fellow ADHDers want to chime in/correct me, please do!)
An example of spiraling is:
1. “I should be achieving <unreasonable expectations>”
2. Shame about not being productive enough to achieve those expectations.
3. Numbing your emotions by getting distracted on web forums.
4. GOTO 2
To break this, don’t imagine you’ll go cold turkey. You’re human and will stumble. Instead, have ways to break the cycle and stop it from starting.
1. Have more humility. Don’t compare yourself to others especially characters on a stage like Jeff Bezos.
2. Give yourself power over your negative emotions by putting a label on them.
3. Use your body to process feelings. Specifically when you notice yourself feeling shame, do some pushups while imagining children playing on you like a jungle gym.
4. Do something you’ll feel grateful for having accomplished.
- Can't start? Get drunk and do it badly. Do it badly on purpose, even. Fix it sober and laughing.
- Do something little to build momentum. Clean the bathroom, e.g.
- Maybe you aren't busy enough. The first time I got straight A's was when my semester felt impossibly busy. There was no time to procrastinate because I was always moving. Call this Parkinson's Law: "Work expands to fill a vacuum."