/c/Vent: Vent about your life here

I would spend some time thinking about the core reason(s) for the behavior and take action on that. While getting started, an accountability buddy is a great resource, but comes with it's own drawbacks.

Some questions to consider:

• do you put off doing something because the task is overwhelming?
• do you have a hard time starting but once you've started, you finish easily?
• do you get distracted away from the task after getting started?
• are the outcomes/goals of the task unclear?
• are there external influences affecting your ability to start or complete a task?
• do you lose track or forget about tasks?
• do you struggle with prioritization of tasks?

For example, I have a hard time starting (overwhelmed) and then have difficulty staying focused. I will break my tasks down into < 1 hour increments and schedule a time. At work, it's on my calendar as a meeting. At home, it's tied to an event (after dinner, after coming home, before showering, etc) and I'll put a post it note where I'll see it during that event. This works for me because when I'm planning a task, I think about the work as a problem for later, playing in to my procrastination. I tie the task to an event so that I don't forget about it and have mentally reserved the time to do it. Finally, when I do the taks, I'll do it in a place with few distractions. For example, I have a separate computer for gaming which is off unless I'm gaming. If I need to review documents or research something, I'll print out the stuff and go somewhere like an empty conference room at work, a library or a park. For work, I'll shut off the apps that nag at my attention or more recently use do not disturb mode. I'll silence my phone or better, leave it somewhere else.