Help. I Have To Write A Report

[kstg]

For more than a month I have HAD to write a report "by tomorrow". The excuses I have used for why it is not written yet, have been ever more insane, but unlike other periods of my life, I have been completely unable to push myself and save my luck. Heck, I have been unable to even act. I just stare and surf the internet mindlessly.

I don't feel bad, I'm sort of in some ok state, I think. Almost blissful. Maybe a bit nervous and battling something that might be anxiety attacks while trying to sleep (either that, or I have some serious health issue?) For 2-3 weeks now, I have not done any other jobs, just tried to do this one, but I have been unable to get it done, even if it is only 6-8 hours of work. I am starting to scare myself, because if I don't do it NOW, my company is history, and my economy is crushed. Also, it seems this one report is blocking everything else in my life, including taking care of chores, children and health. I am watching my life go down the drain, and feel unable to stop it. It's similar to being in one of those dreams where all your family members are dying, and you cannot move.

Is there anything i can do to make this report today? Please help me if you can? :-(

 

[J_trustno1]

I went through the exact same phase last week where I was stuck in my room with depression, past (ptsd) which resulted me not showering for 5 days!! Was it worth it? Nope, it was not! I cried a lot on Wednesday due to emotional pain.

I snapped out of it because I felt it was not worth it and I started of small. I am not saying i gave up my distractions but i minimised them. Things that were stopping me were fears of failure. This could also be your failure for not preparing a report which is up to high standards, hence leading you to procrastinate.

You can start this by just pushing yourself. Just force yourself and distract yourself from the internet or tv or whatever you are using as a procrastinating tool. Just walk out of the room, go for a jog or a run or whatever you enjoy but get out the current environment you are stuck in. Just break out! then come back fresh, have plenty of water to keep yourself hydrated so you can concentrate. I'm sorry to say this, but the only way of getting this report done is actually doing but you can minimise your anxiety levels by distracting yourself.

I wish i could give you better tips but some exercise will help to get rid of inbuilt anger and release excess energy from your system to make you feel relaxed so that you can focus.

 

[ghotiff]

It depends obviously on how bad a place you are in, but if its not too bad these are ideas/methods that can work. You probably already know them, but if you're in a bad place sometimes its helpful to be reminded of them.

First thing is to decide that you really do want to (not 'need' to, but 'want' to) complete this job. If you can't convince yourself that you want to, then that is the first hurdle that you will need to overcome. After that, working by time or working by task can break up the work into smaller, and psychologically easier to do steps.

Working via time limits.
- put a timer on for 10minutes, and commit to spending a full 10minutes working on the report (if 10minutes is too much, go for something smaller).
- start your work by getting organised to work, eg setting up your desk, finding pens etc.
- after your 10minutes, stop, reward yourself by taking a walk (or eating) for another set period of time (eg 15mintues) and then commit when your alarm goes off, you go back and do another 10mintues of work.

Working via tasks.
- instead of using time use tasks.
- first task, get workplace/desk set up to start
- second task, write out the next 5 tasks needed to be done
- third task, do first on your list.
Make each task a small one, eg only taking approx 10minutes, but you don't allow yourself your reward until the small task is done.

Hope that helps.

 

[silkleaves]

I've been sitting on a freelance project I've been needing to do for 2 weeks now...heck, they sent me the deposit check and it took me a week to get out of the house to cash it...and that only because poor kiddo ate everything we could possibly make a meal out of and I absolutely needed to get some food. When it comes to folding up and letting the world crash around me, I rule at this.

But, I have kiddo depending on me, I have this client depending on me to get this project done, or at least show some sign of life that I'm actually working on it. And so actually yesterday I *finally* started working on it...and then launched into my focused mode of doing nothing else but that. Because well..I'm either at 0% or 100%, there isn't much in-between with me.

I say this so much haha! But try guided meditation! I'm hooked on it really...I find that just taking 10 minutes out to do that, makes a world of difference. I also agree with setting a timer for a short amount of time, I do that when I absolutely have to do something, but the whole task seems too daunting and I don't know where to start... And even so, there are times when the timer goes off and I've done absolutely nothing... so I give myself a bit, and then set the timer again. I once went almost 2 months without even turning my computer on. (can you imagine?!) I actually made that my task, and built up from there.

I hope you're able to do this report! I'm rooting for you...I myself am up trying to get enough of a layout done to be able to send to my client with an update, cause I just can't afford for them to freak out and demand their money back.

 

[littlelostchild]

I agree with the suggestions above and would add - is there anyone who can work on it with you? The right person working with me on a project can be super helpful and motivating, but it needs to be the right person, otherwise it can have the opposite effect.
I am sending you positive thoughts and energy.