Related Posts
Any performace testers in nagarro.. plz dm
Eating healthier after a week of pasta.
Is IQVIA a product based company ?
Planing to join IQVIA. How is the work life balance and yearly hike in IQVIA Bangalore ?
And are they allowing to work from home ?
I have another offer that is of Airbus but there a huge difference in the fixed part (4L).
So not going with airbus and airbus is not ready to negotiate .
5.5 YOE MERN stack technology (full stack role )IQVIA
Any help will be highly appreciated as my joint date is coming closer .
More Posts
I have a love-hate relationship with DU.
Additional Posts in The Worklife Bowl
Conversation Starter
Anonymous User
Rising Star
Enthusiast
I can relate
Enthusiast
Chief
New to Fishbowl?
Download the Fishbowl app to
unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.
unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.
You aren’t alone. Many of us have this issue. Reminders and self-imposed
deadlines really don’t work that well - a more reliable strategy is to make a habit of tackling new tasks right away (or at least evaluating what needs to be done) and cultivating a regular mop-up habit — put everything you’ve been putting off or not finished in a pile or on a list and make yourself do them one at a time until you can do no more. In my case this doesn’t necessarily prevent late nights (because of how hard it is to avoid distractions!) but the work gets done sooner and better.
This is exactly how I fixed my focus problems. Now, checking items off my list feels more like a game than work and I’m confident I’ve unlocked a super power 🤪
I watch movies that I have seen many, many times or I listen to music. For both, I never actually end up paying attention to the movie or music, but that background noise helps trick my mind into thinking I’m not actually working.
Also, try scheduling blocks on your calendar where you focus on one thing you need to do and then reward yourself with a break.
Or, try dictation apps where you can talk and it will be typed for you. Then, you can go back and edit. Lounging on your coach thinking out load can be great for getting the creativity going. Or, dictate while you walk.
Chief
Are you me
Also, before anyone asks, no, reminders and self-imposed deadlines never work. The only thing that works is to “trick” myself by adding external pressures. Working sessions with coworkers can help, but I also still work a late night (just earlier). The issue is that for new tasks specifically (not existing projects or small asks), I have such a high activation energy that I get a psychological/emotional block to focusing when I know I have a lot of time left. Being at the office helped because the constant worry of people thinking I was unproductive helped me trigger hyperfocus. But I’ve always been reliant on these “external” pressures.
This is me.
If I’m not panicking, it’s not getting done.
Yep. I feel your plight so hard OP.
And while this terrible habit didn’t go away at the office - seeing other people working made it slightly easier to be motivated.
WFH full time is not for me. I desperately need the office structure.
Conversation Starter
Following because I need to hear the answers to this as well
OP, I have a very similar problem. I too also do good work and always get everything done on time, but frequently stretch my work unnecessarily into my personal time bc I am so inefficient and distracted during normal working hours. I have one tactic to share that may help, but before that, I just want you to know you're not alone in this fight. I don't think it's something I'll ever beat; I think it's going to be a personal demon that I have to slay each day for the rest of my life. Some days will be better than others. (Even as I type this, I am procrastinating working out and packing my house up for an upcoming move in a few weeks🤷♂️.)
Ive tried everything; the only tactic that seems to work consistently is setting up "exploding deadlines" ahead of real deadlines. For example, book meetings with my bosses and/or clients to review early drafts to make sure we're directionally aligned. Good practice for reasons other than ADHD, but proactively setting early deadlines with people external to me tends to help get me moving rather than waiting until the real deadline or for them to ask for a draft (and they don't need to know the "real" reason for the meeting; they just think Im super self-directed, collabrative, organized and efficient - ha!).
Hope the empathy and the tip helps in some small way. Best wishes to you! You can do it!
Rising Star
Are you my wife?
Rising Star
Awwww
Do you have someone on your team that you could set up meetings with to get the work done? Sometimes having another person join you can help with accountability. sort of like partner and share tasks. It might not be the most efficient way but maybe more efficient than what you're doing right now
When I procrastinate, I go down internet rabbit holes and read copious amounts of news.
Lately, instead of procrastination, I’ve tried just taking walks instead or pausing my work at a point in the evening until late at night when I’m just tired enough that I can calmly focus without any interruption. But now I’m working even later than before
Pro
Can you hire an ADHD coach to help keep you accountable?
Pro
Different circumstances can bring out different challenges again. It sounds like without the structure / pressure of the office, you need to now compensate for it during WFH. I'm wondering if a coach could help provide external structure again during this time. Alternatively, do you see an ADHD therapist? They could help you brainstorm different coping techniques, for the new WFH situation. Fwiw, I also have ADHD so completely empathize with what you're going through.
Following because I feel the exact same way despite never being diagnosed with ADHD. Working early in the morning has helped somewhat, but if I’m tired I just sleep through alarms.
I used to do that in college, and it works for regular work but I’ve found I just can’t be as creative when I’m exhausted in the morning
Also following because this is just the way I have been feeling
I 100% relate to this post. Don’t have any answers though lol
OP: do you work in a team with an Art Director? That would help. They would be your “other person” who was expecting to get your shit done.
My Copywriter is like you but I love him and have worked with him for years. He leaves things til late at night or the morning they’re due and it causes so much anxiety for both of us. Or me at least!
Sometimes the only way to make him write up our scripts is to write them myself as we concept together or just after. Then I send them to him in a Google doc. He thinks the dialogue and jokes are only 75% there and that makes him freak out and craft them. Makes more work for me but we get it done.
Not sure if you like reading. But I would recommend “Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear” by Elizabeth Gilbert. You can download the kindle version or audio book.
It’s a refreshing series of anecdotes about writers and other creatives and explains, among other things, how they get over this hurdle.
The chapter called “A Good Trickster Move” reminds me of my writer and the problem you’re describing.
TL;DR I can’t help thinking you need a way to get your ideas on the page, that doesn’t require typing. Eg. Another person or dictaphone app.
I feel you down to the news rabbit holes of procrastination. They’re not silver bullets, but two painfully simple things help me.
1. Add some external signal that it’s work time. For me, I get a cup of coffee and a glass of water and sit at my desk. I don’t jump into work, but it gets me on track to.
2. Create your word doc. Open a file, name it, save it to the appropriate location, add the header info (job no, client, etc.), etc. So simple, but by far the most helpful thing for me. It takes the edge of starting and gets my momentum going enough they I usually even just start and often fall into hyperfocus.
At the office, I’d always immediately print out the materials as my “first step,” but I hadn’t tried the “template-starting” approach yet. I will try that this week—that’s a really good idea. Thanks!
This is me as well! This quarantine has made me realize that although I am able to deliver in consulting, it is an unnecessarily painful experience everyday during WFH. I think I need to transition to a culture/company/workstream that is much more flexible and not so deadline focused (maybe tech? Lol)
Pro
OP, I'm in the same boat! I also work better late at night/very early in the morning and it's because there are fewer distractions (nothing is being updated online, no messages or emails from coworkers).
Starting project is tough for me too, but I've started checking in with my art partner about an hour after something new has been assigned/briefed and making a plan that we'll both be accountable to. It gives me a framework I can deliver in and makes sure we're both communicating from the start. It's a little harder on copy-only assignments when I don't work with a partner, but I try to check in with project managers to clarify needs.
Do you have a living situation that would allow you to set up a designated office space?
I do have my own work area, now, which has been helpful. And unfortunately it’s the copy-only assignments that are giving me a hard time right now.
Have you ever sought professional help?
Ask your Art Director partner for help. Be frank with them, and they can help you crack the whip. Also, try asking your Creative Director for help. If you’re embarrassed, blame it on Covid. Ask your CD to set up informal mini check-ins.
Meds & exercise