I can't begin to describe my condition as I don't really understand it. I am in college and struggle greatly with procrastinating on assignments. Even now, I am putting off a 5-page paper that's due tomorrow. I see this as a very big issue in my life that should be addressed and dealt with immediately.

The issue is simple, yet sometimes impenetrable: when I endeavor to begin a task, I instead choose to distract myself. Unfortunately, the obvious, "Just do your work, you're being lazy," has proven to be an ineffective strategy.

Are there any models or therapeutic strategies I can follow to help correct this condition? I've used anchors to change my state for different situations like public speaking, being confident in social situations, etc. Is there some toolset like this I can adopt and practice to improve this part of my life?

Thanks in advance,


e

Hi there,

I first might reframe the "Just do your work, you're being lazy" to something like "How is resting from work being lazy?" or whatever woudl work for you...

Once the sting has been taken out of the tale, then I might consider chaining an anchor from 'procrastination' (if that is the unwanted state) towards something that you want instead (perhaps total motivation?).

If you knwo about anchors, then you could always direct someone to help you with this. Or if you are in the London area, I'd be happy to meet up for 30mins to help you.

Dan

Ps - I'd first want to ask you what you mean by 'addiciton to procrastination'. Is it really an addiciation; or perhaps a compulsion; or is ity ssomethign you cant seem to get out of and therefore a state you repeatedly go into.

Dan,

Thanks for your insightful response! Compulsion is probably a better word to describe this, since I do not "crave" procrastination. It's almost as if the choice to distract myself from a given task (usually academic) is already made before I make any conscious decision. It's especially a challenge to begin a task.

I'm not in London; thank you very much for the offer though. And I have learned a bit about anchors and chaining states. I'm currently reading "Introducing NLP" by O'Connor and Seymour and my mind is being opened to a lot of new possibilities. I successfully anchored a state of confidence to use whenever I need it. I will give this a try right now, to gain some motivation.

Thanks again, and if you have any other ideas please share!


e

You're welcome. Have fun and enjoy exploring!

Dan

theRiver wrote:

The issue is simple, yet sometimes impenetrable: when I endeavor to begin a task, I instead choose to distract myself.

What happens once you've begun? Are you able to keep working, or do you continue to feel the pull to do something else?

I ask because some people (like myself) can get absorbed in work once begun, but the challenge is in overcoming inertia to actually begin.

Chris Johnson wrote:

What happens once you've begun? Are you able to keep working, or do you continue to feel the pull to do something else?

I ask because some people (like myself) can get absorbed in work once begun, but the challenge is in overcoming inertia to actually begin.

Great question, and Yes, I am able to keep working (in most circumstances) after I begin. My greatest struggle has been beginning a task, and completing a task. I've studied a lot on ADHD and have found this to be characteristic of the learning disability.

Also, the reason I post this question here is not because I may have ADHD. If the case were that simple, I would consult a person who specializes in that area (which I have also done). ADHD runs in my family, however I am unwilling to simply accept that that is the way it is and "c'est la vie". I take this type of struggle as a challenge that can be overcome, rather than a proverbial speed-bump that must be endured.

I post here because I feel that my situation is unique in the sense that the standard treatment of learning disability (i.e. medication and extended examination time) may not be effective, and my situation is curable in the sense that it seems to be deliberate on my part, on some level.

One other thing I've noticed about myself here is how my interest in the topic effects my ability to complete the task. If the topic of the task is interesting (for example, a paper I am writing on a topic that interests me), I am normally able to complete the task without much distraction/procrastination. However if I have little interest in the topic, suddenly the task seems daunting and oftentimes impossible. It never ceases to amaze me that I can post for hours on internet forums with no immediate gain in life, all the while putting off an assignment that will immediately earn me an A in school.

Thoughts?


e

Hi e,

How about finding something of value and interest in the process of getting something started and finished, by thinking about it on a level that interests you? You can then use the assignments that you are currently finding difficulty with to develop a really cool laboratory and even find something that could make you loads of money from helping people overcome the same thing.

Nina

virtualAngel wrote:

Hi e,

How about finding something of value and interest in the process of getting something started and finished, by thinking about it on a level that interests you? You can then use the assignments that you are currently finding difficulty with to develop a really cool laboratory and even find something that could make you loads of money from helping people overcome the same thing.

Nina

Great idea! I've thought slightly on this topic myself. Thanks

I think one of the reasons you have been unable to solve this problem is that you are concentrating on the negative - the procrastination. Rather than working on your procrastination, how about working on your motivation. The easiest way to do this is to use anchoring, which you have worked with. Basically you need to create a powerful state using something you are motivated to do and then link that to the activity you're trying to complete.

I have written an exercise on my website about getting motivated in this way. I'm not sure if a link here is acceptable, but if you checkout the exercises section on PlanetNLP.com, you may find an exercise that will help. But don't put it off - do it now!