Tuesday, November 07, 2006
Procrastinator Needs Help
Dear Guidance Guy,
I'm in middle school, and obviously have some work to do. But the thing is, I can never bring myself to do anything. Yes, it's called laziness, I know. But I tellmyself to get up, do whatever I have to do, and then I can relax. But instead I sit at the computer, watch TV, read a book, anything that's not at all as important asschool. The whole time I do it I know I should be working, and in my head I'm basically yelling at myself to get up and work, but I just stay. At the moment Iactually have to be typing up three projects, and I'm basically done with one, but the other two have about a sentence. And instead of working, I'm sitting onratemyteachers.com.
I asked my sister for advice before, because she always knows what to do, and she told me to make myself uncomfortable while doing my homework. Two problems with that: I have to type something up, and this computer has internet, so while on Word, I get bored and you see what happens. And if I do put myself in an uncomfortable situation where all I have to do is homework, I'll sit there, do a little work, and then get up and wander. Once I found myself looking through baby photos.
I'm a lazy procrastinator, but I really don't want to be and don't know a way to stop. Please help!
Thanks,
Procrastinator
*** *** ***
Dear Procrastinator,
Based on how you wrote your letter, I'm going to guess to things about you: you are very smart and you find school very boring. The smart part comes because you write very well. The bored part comes because you know you're supposed to do your work and you haven't figured out how to get going.
If you didn't care, you wouldn't be asking for help. Let's have some fun with this. First, think about what you'd like to be doing when you're an adult. Don't worry so much about the career part, just think about how you'd like your life to go. Married? Exciting job? Have your own business? Make it as clear as possible.
Next, find the parts of your work you find interesting or challenging. There has to be something. If it's too easy, let your teachers know you're up for more of a challenge. They might find some things that will liven things up a bit.
Last idea: find yourself a "study buddy." This has to be someone who will help you stick with what you need to do. Your sister may be one person who can help, but there has to be something in it for her. If you can help her with schoolwork, that would be great. Otherwise you can do chores or something else that works for her. Make a contract that includes what each of you will do and how each of you will do it.
Don't worry too much. As the work gets harder and you see more of a purpose for it, you'll be less likely to procrastinate. That's when things will start getting fun.
Thanks for your letter,
The Guidance Guy
I'm in middle school, and obviously have some work to do. But the thing is, I can never bring myself to do anything. Yes, it's called laziness, I know. But I tellmyself to get up, do whatever I have to do, and then I can relax. But instead I sit at the computer, watch TV, read a book, anything that's not at all as important asschool. The whole time I do it I know I should be working, and in my head I'm basically yelling at myself to get up and work, but I just stay. At the moment Iactually have to be typing up three projects, and I'm basically done with one, but the other two have about a sentence. And instead of working, I'm sitting onratemyteachers.com.
I asked my sister for advice before, because she always knows what to do, and she told me to make myself uncomfortable while doing my homework. Two problems with that: I have to type something up, and this computer has internet, so while on Word, I get bored and you see what happens. And if I do put myself in an uncomfortable situation where all I have to do is homework, I'll sit there, do a little work, and then get up and wander. Once I found myself looking through baby photos.
I'm a lazy procrastinator, but I really don't want to be and don't know a way to stop. Please help!
Thanks,
Procrastinator
*** *** ***
Dear Procrastinator,
Based on how you wrote your letter, I'm going to guess to things about you: you are very smart and you find school very boring. The smart part comes because you write very well. The bored part comes because you know you're supposed to do your work and you haven't figured out how to get going.
If you didn't care, you wouldn't be asking for help. Let's have some fun with this. First, think about what you'd like to be doing when you're an adult. Don't worry so much about the career part, just think about how you'd like your life to go. Married? Exciting job? Have your own business? Make it as clear as possible.
Next, find the parts of your work you find interesting or challenging. There has to be something. If it's too easy, let your teachers know you're up for more of a challenge. They might find some things that will liven things up a bit.
Last idea: find yourself a "study buddy." This has to be someone who will help you stick with what you need to do. Your sister may be one person who can help, but there has to be something in it for her. If you can help her with schoolwork, that would be great. Otherwise you can do chores or something else that works for her. Make a contract that includes what each of you will do and how each of you will do it.
Don't worry too much. As the work gets harder and you see more of a purpose for it, you'll be less likely to procrastinate. That's when things will start getting fun.
Thanks for your letter,
The Guidance Guy
# posted by Larry Hochman : 5:00 PM
