Comments on: All work and no play?

By: Joanne

Joanne — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 00:52:49 +0000

I think that a rest period or break is a good thing to recharge. But I would like to know why some people get “stuck” and procrastinate or just can’t get started on a task and other people are always going and seem like they never stop until they drop. I have been on both sides of the extreme and mostly in the middle. I have very good intentions, I have set a plan and then just can’t get to the task. The other thing is that I’m only a procrastinator @ home–not @ work (I have to work and would get fired if I didn’t do my job). I keep trying to figure out my motive. I get overwhelmed and my friend tells me to just not think about it and do it. I’ll keep reading and watching your video’s (I like to hear your accent-not sure were you are from)maybe something will get me going. Thanks for all you do!!!

By: Denise I Ricketts

Denise I Ricketts — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 20:02:51 +0000

I agree with play. I need constantly to remind myself that I need to keep my life in balance. Giving good consideration, however, to how I take a break, I also find that I take for granted and don’t push the envelope on either. Not growing in any part of my life causes me to slow procrastinate, and finally get stuck.
I’m stuck today — I’m looking at tips I have not yet read to help me get moving again. In my case, it is constant vigilance.

By: dave

dave — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 22:24:45 +0000

have you swallowed your bollocks because your talking it.

bye for now

By: Christie Coleman

Christie Coleman — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 22:49:08 +0000

I totally agree and have found this great website that helps me to recharge my mind, body and work http://www.rechargelounge.com.au

By: Chris

Chris — Sat, 20 Sep 2008 07:31:13 +0000

It’s true, and you have to learn to trust it. Sometimes you need to give your subconscious time to do its thing. I now trust it to do problem solving. I can retire with what seems an insoluble problem and wake up with the answer.
When I worked on newspapers sometimes you had to walk away from the task; like finding the right heading that fit, in the right font, in the right point size, that was the right shape, that was legal, and that said what you wanted; but when you returned to it five minutes later the answer was there like magic.
Giving your subconscious a bit of freedom is such a good idea. I support you wholeheartedly on this - and so much else.

By: jeremy

jeremy — Sat, 20 Sep 2008 05:13:55 +0000

The thing I have found also, is that you get out of practice at relaxing. It takes longer to wind down. A holiday is eaten in to by the 3 days it takes to “adjust” to no pressure.

But could it not be argued that when you are procrastinating you are relaxing. You are getting the reward before you do the work. Of course the consequences and timelines may not always come to fruition, but then if you absolutely always have something to do, then procrastinating may be the only break you get. If you promised yourself a reward when the job was complete, it may be months away!

I have heard some people say (in line with the old adage of “If you want it done, give it to the busiest person”), that they only work well under pressure, so they tend to procrastinate to bring on the ideal environment for them to work well.

Personally I tend to be a mindset type of person. Although I love change, I tend to do best all day, the thing I start the day with. If I go for a run, I just want to exercise and do healthy things all day. If I sit down to email, then I get stuck on that. I believe I tend to focus so intently, that once I start something there is no budging me. That may be the flip-side of men not being able to perform two things at once!

My least favourite job of all time is accounts. It can take me days to get into the correct mindset for that. Then I can spend two weeks on them, and actually get to enjoy it. However after only a few hours of doing my computer job, I have totally switched back to the normal mindset and it would once again take me days to recommence accounts. Perhaps I need more practice at switching.

Thanks for the tips, liked the video, enjoy the subject, but must get back to the task at hand. Getting ready for a night out (relaxing). But have to make food to take! Bye.

By: Annette

Annette — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 12:08:44 +0000

Yup Anth, so true…not working efficiently led me to not stopping in the evening, not having weekends, always being too busy, but accomplishing virtually nothing and I felt that I was years behind with my life. Now, although not there yet by a long way, I can see with your insight and help, how ineffective I was and, just as importantly, how to break out of the cycle, so that I can really stop and smell the roses instead of dashing on by in a vacuous whirl.