Sick Day = Setback

I’ve been sick with a nasty cold for the past couple of days.  I say that I’m too sick to work, but I still spend the whole day at the computer: doing all the goof-off things that usualy creep into my work days, only without the work.  I feel like I’ve fallen off the wagon; I’m worried that I’m practicing a bad habit, and that I won’t be able to focus on work when I’m well again.

I could spend all day, every day, signing petitions, writing letters and spamming my friends about important issues.  It’s important, but all things in moderation, right?  Making a living is important too.  So, what will be my strategy when I’m “working” again?

• Use the timer for everything I do at my desk, starting right at the beginning of the day.
• Prioritize non-work tasks.  Activism will have to compete for my time with all of life’s other demands.
• If something really big and important comes up, that’s what evenings are for.

It’s too easy for me to put off work to do other “important” things – because I don’t like working!  If I have to balance those “important” things against other pleasurable pursuits (books, movies, games, getting to bed on time), then I think we’ll see some real prioritization.

-J

Don’t Change

Here’s an interesting idea.  Stop having more faith in your future self than you have in your present self.

• I’ll just eat this candy bar now, but then I’ll eat no more desserts this week.
• I don’t feel like working out.  I’ll go to the gym tomorrow.
• I’ll just read articles today, and I’ll get down to the real work tomorrow.

Stop believing that you’ll magically be a stronger person in the future.  The evidence is in: however you are behaving now is how you will go on behaving.  You have to BECOME a stronger person.  Start now.

Ask yourself: what I am about to do, am I willing to live the rest of my life like this?  Do I want the consequences of eating dessert after lunch every day, of always skipping the work-out, of alway goofing off?  Decide how you want to live your life, and live that way RIGHT NOW.  Your future self is saying: “You first.“

source: Kelly McGonigal via Daniel Pink: How to Make a New-Year’s Non-Resolution. (thanks Suzy )

Stop Being So Damn Productive

Couple of good articles on the power of focus, the nature of motivation, and the importance of regular breaks:

With mental tasks, productivity doesn’t increase linearly with time worked. Every hour spent working hard is a tax on the next hour you want to spend working hard. And so on until you can spend hours, even days, working without achieving.

Remember the quote “You speak a lot, but you don’t say much”? Same goes for working a lot.

http://lifehacker.com/5867102/stop-being-so-damn-productive

The Trick to Accomplishing More by Doing Less

Multitasking all day is not as productive as working in 90 minute stretches with 15-20 minute breaks (or even a nap) and a real lunch break.

http://lifehacker.com/5867995/the-secret-to-accomplishing-more-by-doing-less-take-breaks

How Rewards Can Make You Hate Something You Love

“Many people—including us—have argued that doing what you love and getting paid for it is the holy grail of life achievements, but in reality we tend to get discouraged when presented with the possibility that we’re only doing something for the money.”

http://lifehacker.com/5868585/how-rewards-can-make-you-hate-something-you-love

I would ascribe a different interpretation to the observed phenomenon: that, when getting paid to do something, you have to do it.  You have to do it to a schedule, and you have to do it to somebody else’s satisfaction.  When the task is no longer enjoyable, you have to keep doing it to completion.  Whereas, when you do something purely for enjoyment, you only do it for as long as it is enjoyable to you.

Applications to motivation and procrastination.

-Johnny 0.

How To Work From Home Without Going Insane

Best how-to-work-from-home-without-going-insane article I’ve read so far:

How To Work From Home Without Going Insane

Procrastinators who work from home should especially read this one.

-J

How to Quit Mindlessly Surfing the Internet and Actually Get Stuff Done

Read this article published on The Art of Manliness blog.  Read it now:

How to Quit Mindlessly Surfing the Internet and Actually Get Stuff Done

I blushed when I saw the title… was this written about me?  There are some good insights in here, and links to the kind of distraction-blocking apps that I’ve been looking for FOREVER!  These browser plug-ins can be configured to limit your time on your favourite time-waster sites (Facebook, Reddit, WordPress, etc.) and/or to block certain sites during certain times of day.  A self-discipline aid – just what I need!

Hey Sandy, what’s the name of the Mac app you use to shut down your internet connection?  I finally found some Windows equivalents.

I’ma go install one right now.

-Johnny 0.

Lethargy Begets Lethargy

Fallacious Thought:  I’m too tired this morning, I don’t feel like working or exercising yet.

Fallacious Action: I’ll slouch in front of the computer and look for things to entertain me.  Until I feel like starting my day.

Reality Check: After a couple of hours of surfing, I still feel lethargic and in no mood to exercise or work.

The Plan For Next Time: Lacking the energy for anything else, I should at least get dressed and go for a walk.  A long walk always wakes me up.  Then I’ll feel ready to start my day.