10-Step Anti-Procrastination Checklist (2013) | Hacker News Reader

10-Step Anti-Procrastination Checklist (2013)

lesswrong.com

10 pointseamag4 comments

I find it a little bit weird to have such a long list in order to do a task. Like getting something to drink, look for music…isn’t this kind of procrastination?

I would just do the task in evasion of the list. Maybe that's the point?

No. Procrastinators will unconsiusly use these tasks as an excuse to pause work. Getting something to drink, looking for a music etc. removes these common excuses, so that the only thing left to do is work.

Many procrastinators have ADHD, and they often dehydrate.

Choosing a proper music is a good way to stay productive. The music depends on your condition and type of work. If you're sleepy you'll benefit from listening to something that gets you moving - for example you shake your leg, head, or do any other minor movement while listening to the music.

Some items on that list are very short and don't need much mental effort, e.g "How long will I work on the task?" Most people use 30-90 intervals of work and choosing it is a knee-jerk reaction (nothing wrong with that). Also, it's good to have a deadline for each task in case it blows up.

I'm not sure, every such task work as a distraction. Like "what music should I listen to? Oh hey, maybe this band has a new album...." and from there I would be distracted....like finding new album, but also find some other interesting band, google that band, watch live concert, then find another interesting video and so on.

Its kind of the old scheme....in order to work productive I have to first clean the house vs. In order to work productive (=focus) I first need to find music. It's not done with one song right....it needs a playlist, but some music is on Spotify, some only on YouTube, maybe I need to first look for a tool which plays both....

I'm glad that people find tools to help with their procrastination, but it's not for everyone (sadly).

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