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Task initiation

It depends on what you are talking about. Any specifics you like to share? Or is it just over all?

But generally speaking. If you cannot find yourself motivated to do tasks. I would look at things like sleep schedule, eating habits, and personal behaviors/habits. Not to say you are necessarily are doing anything wrong. However. I've found that how we handle ourselves, has a lot to do with how we handle interaction with people and world around us. Tweaks to how we do things, can make a world of difference.
 
@daniegirl6224 if, like me, you are “paralysed”, knowing there is some particular thing you need to do but just not getting started on it, I have found it useful to think about the task, find some simple little thing that is part of it and just do that. Then, “OK, what’s next?” Keep the “stepping stones” very small and simple to start with (but make sure they are part of the overall task, not time-wasters.) I have struggled with this aspect of executive function for years, but found this “take a nibble of the elephant” to be a helpful strategy.
 
It depends on the task, but normally I like to pair activities I actually like doing with those I dislike.

For example:

- Can I listen to music while I do said task?
- Can I watch movies / youtube while I do said task?
- Can I read a book while doing said task?

If any one of these is a "yes", then that kind of sweetens the deal.
 
I don't know why people do this to themselves. Rationally, all this procrastination is simply creating stress. Had we just started early and taken our time with the process, whatever we needed to get done would have been so much less stressful, our mind thinking clearly, resulting in a much better job, and it would be done earlier.

I know, it sounds easy when I write it out like this, but I have been a victim of my own procrastination, been there, done that, too many times to count.

Sometimes it takes a little too long to gain wisdom.
 
Neonatal RRT said:
Had we just started early and taken our time with the process, whatever we needed to get done would have been so much less stressful, our mind thinking clearly, resulting in a much better job, and it would be done earlier.
Click to expand...
The ridiculous part for me is that I'm well disciplined and I have exceptional organisational skills as well as a strong sense of duty. Where other people are relying on me I never let them down but that doesn't translate to doing my own housework.
 
Neonatal RRT said:
I don't know why people do this to themselves. Rationally, all this procrastination is simply creating stress. Had we just started early and taken our time with the process, whatever we needed to get done would have been so much less stressful, our mind thinking clearly, resulting in a much better job, and it would be done earlier.

I know, it sounds easy when I write it out like this, but I have been a victim of my own procrastination, been there, done that, too many times to count.

Sometimes it takes a little too long to gain wisdom.
Click to expand...
This is an interesting comment. I don't know about others, but I certainly know and understand it makes far more sense just to do it than to waste all the time and emotional energy procrastinating. In fact, I've known it all my life.

Often I find that the task I've been avoiding is far easier than I anticipated. I complete it with relief and notice that I have wasted way more time and energy than just completing the task.

So the question is: How can we, or at least I, as an intelligent and independent human being keep on procrastinating?

I think it has something to so with what some call "agency." I lack the agency to make the change. (Not all the time, of course.)

So, what is agency? I know how it feels, but have been unable to identify it. Dictionary definitions refer to having power. I don't believe it is knowledge that keeps us back here. I believe it has more to do with lacking to power to make the change. (Maybe not enough spoons?)
 
Procrastination gives me stress as well, even if there's only a few tiny things that I need to do. I've learned that as soon as I get restless, I make a list of all the things I want/need to do and then cross them off one by one. Honestly I don't do them because I want to, it's about getting rid of my restlessness :)
 
I do have some mental tricks I do, though I don't believe they translate well. It seems its a matter of finding what motivates you personally and using it as leverage.
 
AuAL said:
@daniegirl6224 if, like me, you are “paralysed”, knowing there is some particular thing you need to do but just not getting started on it, I have found it useful to think about the task, find some simple little thing that is part of it and just do that. Then, “OK, what’s next?” Keep the “stepping stones” very small and simple to start with (but make sure they are part of the overall task, not time-wasters.) I have struggled with this aspect of executive function for years, but found this “take a nibble of the elephant” to be a helpful strategy.
Click to expand...
Yes it’s paralyzing! I spend hours most days trying to get started on basic tasks but simply not being able to start :( it is so hard and frustrating. I really like that mindset- to take a nibble out of the elephant. Thank you!
 
Tom said:
I do have some mental tricks I do, though I don't believe they translate well. It seems its a matter of finding what motivates you personally and using it as leverage.
Click to expand...
Like making a short to-do list that can be managed and items can be checked off? To me this is enough motivation.
 
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