I Suck

[Phazzan]

Hi friends,

Well, it seems poor old Phazzan has a major motivational problem. I'm currently in my 4th year of uni doing some rubbish degree and I hate it. Ya hear? I F***** HATE IT!!!! :angry: Ever since first year, I've probably handed in over 100 pieces of assessment, and probably only 3 or 4 of them have been in on time. That means approximately 95% of assessment I hand in is late, therefore late marks are deducted, therefore Phazzan don't get as good as he probably should.

The thing is, I don't really care, not really enough to change, but it affects other parts of my life. I kid you not, I am the KING of procrastination. Like, for example, I had this essay due Last Friday, only 1500 words, and I'm still doing it now, Tuesday night approximately 12:30 in the morning. As a matter of fact, I've been at uni pretty much all day and night for the past two weeks doing pointless carp like browsing phatmass phorums and chatting on MSN and carp like that. If I actually put my mind to it, I reckon I could do a 1500 word essay in a few hours, but of all the time I spend at uni doing jack carp, probably only a few hours in invested into my assignment. I hate it, I hate my course and my assignment that I don't understand, but I hate sitting here at uni all day and night looking like a loser with nothing better to do. I once spoke to my doctor about this and he said I need to learn some discipline... tried... failed. I don't know what to do.

I heard there are drugs or something you can take that increase motivation which means more time is spent doing productive things such as assignments, but I think such drugs are prescription medicine only and you need something like ADHD to be able to take them. I don't wanna resort to drugs, but I have some major issues. It seems the older I get, the worse it becomes.

What do I do?

Apathy is bad,
Phazzan

[homeschoolmom]

Appathy is a very bad thing... please see a different doctor. I think appathy is a sign of clinical depression.

How close are you to being done? Would it make sense to take a semester or two off and do other things? Do you realize you hate your field of study?

[Phazzan]

[quote name='homeschoolmom' date='Apr 27 2004, 08:37 AM'] Appathy is a very bad thing... please see a different doctor. I think appathy is a sign of clinical depression.

How close are you to being done? Would it make sense to take a semester or two off and do other things? Do you realize you hate your field of study? [/quote]
Um, I'm not sure if I've been there before, as in being clinically depressed, but I don't think I am. I work, I study, I play sport, I socialize, but I just hate the study part. I don't think I've improved over the past few years cause despite all my assignments and stuff like that being in handed days late I still manage to pass, and pass is all I aim for really. I just prefer do other things than study, but I have to do it cause uni costs money you know and needs to be done, and also I'm only 6 unites (including this semester) from graduating and I want to join the Police Force if not next year definitely the year after.

I don't like my course, but it is bearable, and when I look at some of the other courses and how boring they must be I consider myself quite lucky, and I'm not really willing to change, especially so close to finishing.

Thanks for your input.

[dUSt]

You sound exactly like me.

I'm lazy. Embrace it. Love it.

[Phazzan]

[quote name='dUSt' date='Apr 27 2004, 09:12 AM'] You sound exactly like me.

I'm lazy. Embrace it. Love it. [/quote]
I'm lazier!!!!!!

[littleflower+JMJ]

[quote]I'm lazy. Embrace it. Love it. [/quote]

:squash:

[Theoketos]

Sloth is sadness. The opposite of Love is apathy. Yesterday is dead and over.

This is your life, are you who want to be?

[Phazzan]

[quote name='Theoketos' date='Apr 27 2004, 09:25 AM'] Sloth is sadness. The opposite of Love is apathy. Yesterday is dead and over.

This is your life, are you who want to be? [/quote]
I was reading the Bible the other day, and I'm pretty sure the opposite of Love is actually hatred. I suggest the opposite of love is being active or something like that. You know what I mean yo?

Am I who I want to be? No.

[dUSt]

The opposite of sloth is A.D.D.

[homeschoolmom]

I think I agree with Theoketos... Love is a strong emotion towards someone... if you're appathetic, you don't even care enough to express an opinion... you don't even care enough to hate it. It's oposite in a different way, I guess.

[Ash Wednesday]

Phazzan,
I read a book recently titled "What Should I Do With My Life?" by Po Bronson. It isn't a self-help book -- it is more a compilation of stories by people that asked and answered that question.

One man in particular that worked for NASA in that book used an interesting guideline and mapped out his path by answering the questions: Where am I now? Where do I want to go? How will I get there?

If this isn't a major case of senioritis, then you should take a breather and figure out what your passion is. Take it to God in prayer. What talents has God given you that you could put more to use? It might even involve a different form of education. Sometimes we have to put up with a lot of craporama to get to our goal. If being on the police force is REALLY what you want to do, visualize yourself on the job and loving it to get you through these crappy times where motivation is lacking.

I can tell you now that it does not get easier. I'm in a field that is my passion and from time to time I have almost lost motivation because I am less than thrilled with my job and living situation at the moment. So in the re-evaluation process I've decided to start tightening my belt in the last year and saving money so that I can either attend graduate school or afford a move elsewhere.

Once you find your goal, you will find motivation in mapping this out in concrete plans and numbers. (In my case, I have a concrete money goal to go back to graduate school, and I have picked out my schools of choice... maybe in your case set a specific date when you want to join the force)

We here at the pham will be praying for you and thinking of you.... pray for me, too!

[Carrie]

I don't believe you need meds. If you go to any psychologist, the first thing they will try to help you with is your coping skills. Most likely, your procrastination is due to feeling overwhelmed by your work-load. Although it may be little assignments, it sounds as if you have alot of those little assignments. A psychologist will most likely try to help you break down your tasks into smaller tasks that make it more bearable. For example, your 1500 word essay. You might want to try and work on it for one hour, then reward yourself with 15 minutes surfing or chatting on the net. You can then go back to it for another hour or so, followed by another 15 minutes of time to do whatever you want. Those little breaks will help you from feeling over-tired and give your mind a breather to regroup before continuing on again.

Just a little tip I learned in an anxiety class I took. Hope it helps.

[annie]

Phazzan,

You sound so frustrated and disappointed. I see you mentioned ADHD (which has three types under it according to the DSM-IV ---1. predominantly hyperactive, 2. predominantly inattentive and 3. combined type. People with ADHD CANNOT change the way they are, they just have to adapt (lists, reminders, avoiding situations which require sustained attention etc). Sometimes, though, situations cannot be avoided (aka school etc) and the person with ADHD fails, suffers and is frustrated. THE KEY is proper diagnosis and evaluation, and yes, sometimes meds are very, very helpful. I would suggest at least getting some literature on the subject and getting evaluated for ADHD. How old are you? If you are young you will have to bring this to a trusted parent or other adult to help you. Life should not be so all-around difficult.

I have a son who is combined-type, and life has not been easy for him. But he is a wonderful kid, loves Jesus with all his heart and is the funniest kid I know. He is also completely disorganized, can't finish anything he starts without reminders and does poorly academically. He is on methylphenidate and it has meant the difference between a possible and an impossible life for him (and his family).

God bless you, and may you find the answers you need--

[Ash Wednesday]

Good point Carrie. Baby steps.... baby steps......
(from "What about Bob")

[Carrie]

[quote name='Ash Wednesday' date='Apr 27 2004, 01:13 PM'] Good point Carrie. Baby steps.... baby steps......
(from "What about Bob") [/quote]
I love that movie! I think they should show it to all psych majors!

[theculturewarrior]

I am the same way, Phazzan. It helps to remember that work is a prayer. When I really need to get to work, I tell God, "Lord, I offer this sacrifice for the conversion of my family, for the intentions of those who have asked my prayers, etc." It hasn't made me the perfect worker overnight. (I wouldn't be writing this right now, otherwise.) But it helps me to remember what I'm here for. The more energy it takes to force you to focus, the bigger the sacrifice. If you have to offer several sacrifices in an hour because you keep losing focus, so much the better.

I'll offer the next sacrifice for you. Just as soon as I post this and close the browser.

[Thomas Michael]

Sometimes I still find myself wondering where I am in life and where I'm supposed to be. I have all these ideas that I start out eager to implement, but then I lose interest after a while. I guess I need some motivation or something.

[prov31girl]

I can totally relate. It tends to happen when you have no passion for what you're doing. My major is marketing...is that what I want to do? Nope, but it's the best option I have here. Getting my degree is more like a back-up plan for what I really want to do. That makes it very hard to be motivated to do the homework. I'm about a week and a half behind right now. The down side is, I have no idea how to help you. Sorry bro.

[HomeTeamFamily]

maybe you could work something out with dust so that you are banned from PM for a period of time so that that cuts out one of the sources of your procrastination......i dunno just a thought.....i know i procrastinate a ton, just finished a paper due in just under 8 hours.....

[SacredTruth]

I feel ya man!

I'm not quite as bad at procrastination but I do tend to procrastinate with school stuff as well.

I'm also in my 4th year of school. I should be about ready to graduate with a bachelors but thats not the case at all. I've switched majors sooooo many times. I've been premed, precytotech, criminal justice, radiology, and there are a few others I cant even remember.

Upon my mothers advice I tested for the nursing program and was accepted. It starts this may. It will take me about 3 and half more years to get my bachelors. Basically I'm fed up with it all. I'm 21 years old working at a job that makes 7 bucks an hour. I still live at home with mom and dad who pay the majority of my bills.

So whats my motivation?
1) I dont want to live at home forever
2) everyone I graduated hs with will be graduating college soon and here I am still in college for another 3.5 years.
3) I'm ready to be an adult and be responsible for myself. that means getting through college, getting a job, getting a place of my own and basically taking care of business.
4) I want my parents to be proud of me
5) I want to be proud of myself
I personally have just reached a point where I said enough is enough. I've screwed around for so long b/c I've been scared to face the world and be an adult. I've been afraid of failing and messing things up. I'm still afraid now but the difference is I realize its not the end of the world if I mess up at something. I know I'll get through the program there may be a few bumps in the road but I'll make it.

So why do you procrastinate? I do/did it b/c of fear. What makes you do it?