Comments on: Ask the cubicle expat: How can I lick procrastination once and for all? http://www.anti9to5guide.com/2008/10/01/ask-the-cubicle-expat-how-can-i-lick-procrastination-once-and-for-all/ Practical Career Advice for Women Who Think Outside the Cube Thu, 08 Jan 2009 12:54:15 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.3 By: ecp http://www.anti9to5guide.com/2008/10/01/ask-the-cubicle-expat-how-can-i-lick-procrastination-once-and-for-all/#comment-49328 ecp Mon, 03 Nov 2008 21:20:39 +0000 http://www.anti9to5guide.com/2008/10/01/ask-the-cubicle-expat-how-can-i-lick-procrastination-once-and-for-all/#comment-49328 I just found this site, and I have a couple of tricks that I use to beat procrastination that I learned while working in a *very* crazy office setting: 1. Earplugs. I like the really soft squishy ones, though you can only use them for a few days before they get kinda grotty. Buy a large box from Staples, and keep extras in your purse for when you're working in coffee shops or libraries or wherever. I swear, whenever I have them in, I feel like I am *working*. 2. A stopwatch - either one I download for my desktop, a physical one. I will set it for a manageable increment of time: 15 minutes, 30 minutes, one hour. These kinds of tools have helped make me more aware of the time that is directly work time, so that when I take breaks, they feel like breaks. I just found this site, and I have a couple of tricks that I use to beat procrastination that I learned while working in a *very* crazy office setting:

1. Earplugs. I like the really soft squishy ones, though you can only use them for a few days before they get kinda grotty. Buy a large box from Staples, and keep extras in your purse for when you’re working in coffee shops or libraries or wherever. I swear, whenever I have them in, I feel like I am *working*.

2. A stopwatch - either one I download for my desktop, a physical one. I will set it for a manageable increment of time: 15 minutes, 30 minutes, one hour.

These kinds of tools have helped make me more aware of the time that is directly work time, so that when I take breaks, they feel like breaks.

]]> By: Michelle Goodman http://www.anti9to5guide.com/2008/10/01/ask-the-cubicle-expat-how-can-i-lick-procrastination-once-and-for-all/#comment-48087 Michelle Goodman Fri, 17 Oct 2008 15:58:08 +0000 http://www.anti9to5guide.com/2008/10/01/ask-the-cubicle-expat-how-can-i-lick-procrastination-once-and-for-all/#comment-48087 Thanks, Candy. Enjoy! Thanks, Candy. Enjoy!

]]> By: Candy http://www.anti9to5guide.com/2008/10/01/ask-the-cubicle-expat-how-can-i-lick-procrastination-once-and-for-all/#comment-48037 Candy Fri, 17 Oct 2008 01:47:33 +0000 http://www.anti9to5guide.com/2008/10/01/ask-the-cubicle-expat-how-can-i-lick-procrastination-once-and-for-all/#comment-48037 At last - people who understand!! My problem isn't IM or email, it's games! I spend too much time on Pogo.com or King.com when I should be working on my website, etc. I just bought your book online and I'm looking forward to reading it. Thanks! At last - people who understand!! My problem isn’t IM or email, it’s games! I spend too much time on Pogo.com or King.com when I should be working on my website, etc.

I just bought your book online and I’m looking forward to reading it.

Thanks!

]]> By: Michelle Goodman http://www.anti9to5guide.com/2008/10/01/ask-the-cubicle-expat-how-can-i-lick-procrastination-once-and-for-all/#comment-47294 Michelle Goodman Wed, 08 Oct 2008 20:20:07 +0000 http://www.anti9to5guide.com/2008/10/01/ask-the-cubicle-expat-how-can-i-lick-procrastination-once-and-for-all/#comment-47294 Thanks, Alexa. I like that trick, too. I'm even more of a fan of popping in a CD and working till it's over. Only thing is, I have to keep my creative work CDs separate from my bread-and-butter work CDs, as weird as that sounds. If I put on my "now I'm doing copywriting for a client or a pain-in-the-ass article" CD while trying to write a book chapter, it doesn't go very well. Thanks, Alexa. I like that trick, too. I’m even more of a fan of popping in a CD and working till it’s over. Only thing is, I have to keep my creative work CDs separate from my bread-and-butter work CDs, as weird as that sounds. If I put on my “now I’m doing copywriting for a client or a pain-in-the-ass article” CD while trying to write a book chapter, it doesn’t go very well.

]]> By: alexa harrington http://www.anti9to5guide.com/2008/10/01/ask-the-cubicle-expat-how-can-i-lick-procrastination-once-and-for-all/#comment-47286 alexa harrington Wed, 08 Oct 2008 18:38:25 +0000 http://www.anti9to5guide.com/2008/10/01/ask-the-cubicle-expat-how-can-i-lick-procrastination-once-and-for-all/#comment-47286 Why is it that I feel compelled to do the laundry and wash the dishes IMMEDIATELY when I should be working? Of course, this need goes away as soon as I'm done working for the day. To avoid procrastination and/or fear of starting because I might write nothing but crap, I use the genius kitchen-timer time block method: I set the timer for 30 minutes and sit the eff down and work. I know that after 30 minutes I can take a five-minute break or move on to another task for 30 minutes. Knowing that all I have to face is 30 tensy minutes gets me seated and typing. 99% of the time, I'm amazed when the timer beeps and am irritated at the interruption because I'm involved with my work. I re-set the timer (for an hour this time) and keep on trucking. I fully admit to the fact that it's both childish ad low-tech, but it works. It totally avoids any anxiety or over-thinking, which are why we all procrastinate in the first place. Congratulations on the new book, Michelle! Take care, Alexa Why is it that I feel compelled to do the laundry and wash the dishes IMMEDIATELY when I should be working? Of course, this need goes away as soon as I’m done working for the day.

To avoid procrastination and/or fear of starting because I might write nothing but crap, I use the genius kitchen-timer time block method: I set the timer for 30 minutes and sit the eff down and work. I know that after 30 minutes I can take a five-minute break or move on to another task for 30 minutes. Knowing that all I have to face is 30 tensy minutes gets me seated and typing. 99% of the time, I’m amazed when the timer beeps and am irritated at the interruption because I’m involved with my work. I re-set the timer (for an hour this time) and keep on trucking.

I fully admit to the fact that it’s both childish ad low-tech, but it works. It totally avoids any anxiety or over-thinking, which are why we all procrastinate in the first place.

Congratulations on the new book, Michelle! Take care,

Alexa

]]> By: Michelle Goodman http://www.anti9to5guide.com/2008/10/01/ask-the-cubicle-expat-how-can-i-lick-procrastination-once-and-for-all/#comment-46775 Michelle Goodman Fri, 03 Oct 2008 03:50:29 +0000 http://www.anti9to5guide.com/2008/10/01/ask-the-cubicle-expat-how-can-i-lick-procrastination-once-and-for-all/#comment-46775 Angela, thank you too. So much! It's great to see you here. I was thrilled to do the WOW interview. And Toni, hilarious! Can't wait to see your new site. (!) Angela, thank you too. So much! It’s great to see you here. I was thrilled to do the WOW interview. And Toni, hilarious! Can’t wait to see your new site. (!)

]]> By: Toni http://www.anti9to5guide.com/2008/10/01/ask-the-cubicle-expat-how-can-i-lick-procrastination-once-and-for-all/#comment-46761 Toni Fri, 03 Oct 2008 01:17:35 +0000 http://www.anti9to5guide.com/2008/10/01/ask-the-cubicle-expat-how-can-i-lick-procrastination-once-and-for-all/#comment-46761 I'm already moving on a key piece of advice from Chapter 5: "why you absolutely, unequivocally need a web portfolio and how to make one." So the next time I recieve thanks for a review, I can have a sweet hyperlink underline! I’m already moving on a key piece of advice from Chapter 5: “why you absolutely, unequivocally need a web portfolio and how to make one.” So the next time I recieve thanks for a review, I can have a sweet hyperlink underline!

]]> By: Angela Mackintosh http://www.anti9to5guide.com/2008/10/01/ask-the-cubicle-expat-how-can-i-lick-procrastination-once-and-for-all/#comment-46754 Angela Mackintosh Fri, 03 Oct 2008 00:05:48 +0000 http://www.anti9to5guide.com/2008/10/01/ask-the-cubicle-expat-how-can-i-lick-procrastination-once-and-for-all/#comment-46754 Hi Michelle, I LOVED your interview with Susan. It's truly inspiring! Thanks so much. :o) Your Bonus answer is great and something I do all the time too. I think we have to set deadline-lies (or deadlies, lol) for ourselves or else we'll get burnt out. We need to "leave the office," if not physically, emotionally. Now that I found your blog, I'll definitely be checking back. Keep up the awesome writing! Hugs, Angela Hi Michelle,

I LOVED your interview with Susan. It’s truly inspiring! Thanks so much. :o)

Your Bonus answer is great and something I do all the time too. I think we have to set deadline-lies (or deadlies, lol) for ourselves or else we’ll get burnt out. We need to “leave the office,” if not physically, emotionally.

Now that I found your blog, I’ll definitely be checking back. Keep up the awesome writing!

Hugs,

Angela

]]> By: Michelle Goodman http://www.anti9to5guide.com/2008/10/01/ask-the-cubicle-expat-how-can-i-lick-procrastination-once-and-for-all/#comment-46565 Michelle Goodman Wed, 01 Oct 2008 16:29:22 +0000 http://www.anti9to5guide.com/2008/10/01/ask-the-cubicle-expat-how-can-i-lick-procrastination-once-and-for-all/#comment-46565 Thanks Susan and Anjali. So nice to hear from you both. And Anjali, thanks for the great review. I hope you enjoy the new book. And yes, telling yourself little white lies are essential, heh. Thanks Susan and Anjali. So nice to hear from you both.

And Anjali, thanks for the great review. I hope you enjoy the new book. And yes, telling yourself little white lies are essential, heh.

]]> By: Anjali http://www.anti9to5guide.com/2008/10/01/ask-the-cubicle-expat-how-can-i-lick-procrastination-once-and-for-all/#comment-46562 Anjali Wed, 01 Oct 2008 16:22:08 +0000 http://www.anti9to5guide.com/2008/10/01/ask-the-cubicle-expat-how-can-i-lick-procrastination-once-and-for-all/#comment-46562 Ha! I'm the same way about "too many" (more than one) week night commitments. And procrastination. So maybe this lying-to-myself thing is just the ticket.... I'm looking forward to reading your new book, as I'm trying to transition from full-time work to a part-time job plus freelance writing work. Here's <a href="http://www.giantjeansparlor.net/archives/2008/03/book_review_the_anti_9_to_5_guide.html" rel="nofollow">my review</a> of your first book, if you'd like to take a look! Ha! I’m the same way about “too many” (more than one) week night commitments. And procrastination. So maybe this lying-to-myself thing is just the ticket….

I’m looking forward to reading your new book, as I’m trying to transition from full-time work to a part-time job plus freelance writing work. Here’s my review of your first book, if you’d like to take a look!

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