Conquering sloth? How do I make myself study?

[Sultan_Of_Swing]

I suffer a lot from being very slothful. I am in the middle of my exams, and still I cannot find the motivation to study and do well.

Sometimes I’ll start studying but then just find some excuse and take a break. I’ve tried many things, like making promises to God but then I always come up with some sort of excuse and find some loophole.

What happens is that instead of studying, I’ll go look up some theological writings or be in a christian chat room. This gives me a false sense that I am doing something right, when obviously it is not.

How do I conquer this? It is easy to say ‘just work’ but I just don’t know how. I pray to God everyday that He will free me from this. How am I meant to do it? It is incredibly frustrating. My mind just is easily distracted and I just stop working after a brief period of time. I try to focus on the opposite, to be diligent etc. but I just don’t know what to do.

 

[Sultan_Of_Swing]

Does the edit function expire after a certain amount of time, or am I being silly?

Anyway a bit of background I forgot to mention. I’ve been struggling with this for years now but by the grace of God I’ve always managed to just get the grades I need. This year I’ve had to retake a few exams now to get the grades I need, however.

I try things like focussing on my ambitions and the consequences of not doing well, but it just doesn’t work. If I don’t do well in these exams I won’t go to the university of my dreams and many other opportunities may be closed off to me. I consider these things, and yet when it comes to it my mind still drifts off and I just stop working!

I really don’t know what the solution is, and it’s driving me up the wall. It’s a problem I’ve had for years and I don’t know how to break this compulsion and habit to be lazy and not work.

 

[Aelred_Minor]

The edit function does expire after I think 20 minutes.

I don’t know what to advise except that whenever you catch your attention drifting you remind yourself that this is a problem and put in a fresh effort to focus on your studies.

 

[Just_Lurking]

The Proctrastinator’s Guide to Getting Things Done (see here) is very good about giving insight to the various forces that drive people to procrastinate.

 

[decjlc]

Do you have an iPhone? I have the same problem, but when I really need to get down to work, I use a program called Focus Time to help me get some work done. It is based on the pomodoro technique, but I don’t get into all that. Basically, you set the timer for a certain amount of time, then you take a short break. Repeat that four times. At the end of the fourth pomodoro, you get a longer break.

Depending on how much I dread the task I’m working on, I may set my timer for 10-25 minutes. I use 10 if I really, really hate it. I don’t always stick to the timers, though, because I often find that if I can just get really focused in that 10-25 minutes, then I can keep going. Getting started is the hardest.

If you don’t have an iPhone, I’m sure there are similar programs for Android, or you can use a kitchen timer. There are also web and desktop versions.

 

[RoseMary131]

. I’ve been struggling with this for years now but by the grace of God I’ve always managed to just get the grades I need.

I try things like focussing on my ambitions and the consequences of not doing well, but it just doesn’t work… and yet when it comes to it my mind still drifts off and I just stop working!

I really don’t know what the solution is, and it’s driving me up the wall. It’s a problem I’ve had for years and I don’t know how to break this compulsion and habit to be lazy and not work.

Is your lack of focus only about your studies?

Does your mind drift off during other activities as well?

Have you thought about an evaluation to see if you have ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) ?

Even without a diagnosis, you can read books about how to focus with ADD.

With a diagnosis, you might be able to meet with a therapist who helps you train yourself to focus better.

 

[Cartesian]

This is like reading about my life. I have been struggling with this problem also for years. Recently I have been looking for help from professionals in mental health to help me cope with it. I would suggest you to do so because to tell what is the problem can only be done by one professional.

As for my case I started by seeing one academic counsellor, which helped me temporarily but recently it was getting worse and I could not work for weeks/months on my assignments which was causing on me the worse despair and depression I ever had in my life. I was even not opening my emails to avoid my teachers/supervisors messages.

Then I was convinced that I had ADD as I could identify myself with most symptoms. So this week I went to see one psychiatrist. Due to my academic record she discarded ADD and told I am having a mental fatigue and said that I should take one month off, and spend some time doing things I love to do. And later she said we could start working on some way to do less work, but at least do something (like try to work one hour per day). And I am in the queue to see also one psychologist in couple of months.

So, I suggest you to seek help. I regret that I let this problem get stronger than me to acknowledge that I couldn’t cope alone.

 

[Sultan_Of_Swing]

This is like reading about my life. I have been struggling with this problem also for years. Recently I have been looking for help from professionals in mental health to help me cope with it. I would suggest you to do so because to tell what is the problem can only be done by one professional.

As for my case I started by seeing one academic counsellor, which helped me temporarily but recently it was getting worse and I could not work for weeks/months on my assignments which was causing on me the worse despair and depression I ever had in my life. I was even not opening my emails to avoid my teachers/supervisors messages.

Then I was convinced that I had ADD as I could identify myself with most symptoms. So this week I went to see one psychiatrist. Due to my academic record she discarded ADD and told I am having a mental fatigue and said that I should take one month off, and spend some time doing things I love to do. And later she said we could start working on some way to do less work, but at least do something (like try to work one hour per day). And I am in the queue to see also one psychologist in couple of months.

So, I suggest you to seek help. I regret that I let this problem get stronger than me to acknowledge that I couldn’t cope alone.

Thanks for the help. I too have a very strong academic record, is that an indicator that it isn’t ADD then?

 

[RoseMary131]

Thanks for the help. I too have a very strong academic record, is that an indicator that it isn’t ADD then?

One of the smartest ladies I know has ADD. You can ask her a question on just about anything and she has a good answer. Her recall of details is fantastic.

 

[Ruthie_again]

I use the timer method.

For studying, I set a timer for a few minutes before burnout. When it goes off, I set it for 15 minutes, and take a break. Back to work when that one goes off.

You find out your burnout time by keeping track. The amount of time you study before taking a break which turns out to be for the rest of the day - that’s your burnout time. Shave 5 minutes off of that, and see how it works. Keep shaving 5 minutes off at a time, until you find out how much time you can study before taking a break without making excuses to not get back to work when the 15 minute timer goes off.

And make sure that what you do during the break is not so enthralling that you can’t stop! (A huge problem for me.)

If it gets all the way down to 15 minutes, then do 15 on and 15 off. When you’re reliable about that, start extending the study time a minute at a time. knowing myself, I recommend not studying longer than 45 minutes or an hour without taking a break.

This is extrapolated from the wisdom of the Flylady, who has used her own experience to help those of us who were born disorganized. Her focus is on housework, though.

 

[Cartesian]

You’re welcome.

Well, the truth is she said that ADD is harder to diagnosis in adults and the main indicator is that you would have been diagnosed when child. Academic record alone maybe is not enough but in my case for example, although I have always been a procrastinator, there was a time, during my bachelors studies (Computer Science) where I can say that I had a brilliant performance and deadlines didn’t scare me that much as now. And I used to study at least 7/8 hours per day without interruption (not even to eat). So, there are many factors to consider and also for me one of the triggers is that I am living in a new country, far from family, I just moved now to a new city, no friends, I have not gone out for almost 5 months now. In short, a mental health professional can make the right questions which will identify what is causing you lack of focus.

Nevertheless I just read this article that tells that symptoms from ADD and Directed Attention Fatigue are very similar. So, I didn’t quite discard ADD. I will meet my psychiatrist after one month to check the improvements.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Directed_attention_fatigue

But as @RosyMary told even without diagnosis ADD books can be quite helpful and I have been listening to some podcasts, although my mind became immune to many of those resources.

 

[Cartesian]

One of the smartest ladies I know has ADD. You can ask her a question on just about anything and she has a good answer. Her recall of details is fantastic.

This is true. I read that people that is very intelligent will usually develop tactics to mask ADD symptoms. And also turn to be very creative.

 

[Kamaduck]

I suffer a lot from being very slothful. I am in the middle of my exams, and still I cannot find the motivation to study and do well.

Sometimes I’ll start studying but then just find some excuse and take a break. I’ve tried many things, like making promises to God but then I always come up with some sort of excuse and find some loophole.

What happens is that instead of studying, I’ll go look up some theological writings or be in a christian chat room. This gives me a false sense that I am doing something right, when obviously it is not.

How do I conquer this? It is easy to say ‘just work’ but I just don’t know how. I pray to God everyday that He will free me from this. How am I meant to do it? It is incredibly frustrating. My mind just is easily distracted and I just stop working after a brief period of time. I try to focus on the opposite, to be diligent etc. but I just don’t know what to do.

Story of my life. I can only seem to work in school, if there.

I get awesome grades most of the time, though. I’m really good at hiding my inability to do anything, especially since I’m naturally great at tests and have a good memory. It’s a lot harder in the aftermath of my mom’s stroke, though, so this year my exams are really going to deliver a bad hit to my grades.

Maybe I’ll practice this “timer method” people are talking about over the summer. Sometimes I’m able to work in very short bursts and repeatedly take very short breaks. For instance, sometimes I let myself watch 1 minute of an anime for every math problem I do. It works pretty well because you want to find out what happens next.

However, I’m too self-conscious to watch anime and study at the same time like that in someone else’s house. Ah, well, I guess finals are almost over anyway this year.

 

[Ruthie_again]

For instance, sometimes I let myself watch 1 minute of an anime for every math problem I do. It works pretty well because you want to find out what happens next.

If it works, do it! (Or, as I heard somewhere, "If it works, don’t fix it!) And you can extend both times as you go along.

Just don’t do what I did in air traffic school - reward yourself with an ice cream bar for every half hour. You should see me now.

However, I’m too self-conscious to watch anime and study at the same time like that in someone else’s house.

I know what you mean. You’d think, at 60, I’d have gotten over it. How about a laptop with a privacy screen, and earplugs? Then they won’t know whether you’re studying or not!

 

[footbeat]

I have found that being alone, I am more likely to be slothful. As often as possible, I would try to form study groups. Being accountable to someone else is a very good motivator. I have been able, in group settings, to pull 15 hour study days consecutively for a week before finals. I could never have done that by myself.

Also, once completed with the class, try to tutor it. This way you get involved in learning and teaching. You will have more opportunity to see what works when it comes to studying.

 

[Kamaduck]

I know what you mean. You’d think, at 60, I’d have gotten over it. How about a laptop with a privacy screen, and earplugs? Then they won’t know whether you’re studying or not!

Good idea! I think I have some earplugs around here somewhere…

 

[ready]

I suffer a lot from being very slothful. I am in the middle of my exams, and still I cannot find the motivation to study and do well.

Sometimes I’ll start studying but then just find some excuse and take a break. I’ve tried many things, like making promises to God but then I always come up with some sort of excuse and find some loophole.

What happens is that instead of studying, I’ll go look up some theological writings or be in a christian chat room. This gives me a false sense that I am doing something right, when obviously it is not.

How do I conquer this? It is easy to say ‘just work’ but I just don’t know how. I pray to God everyday that He will free me from this. How am I meant to do it? It is incredibly frustrating. My mind just is easily distracted and I just stop working after a brief period of time. I try to focus on the opposite, to be diligent etc. but I just don’t know what to do.

Doing your duties according to your state of life perfectly will make you very holy – a saint – and very pleasing to God. Every morning make the resolution to do your duties perfectly for the greater glory of God and to please him. Seek only to please God all day and you will be able to conquer this problem you have with sloth. Make it your goal to do everything for him and for the kingdom; pray zealously and often for the grace to resist your unruly appetites and passions; be mindful all day of God’s presence; the moment you begin to feel slothful remind yourself of the fate of the slothful servant who buried his one talent and was consequently condemned. God bless you.

 

[CradleJourney]

Lots of good (name removed by moderator)ut already posted, but I just wanted to add this

Lying to yourself is a habit. (I’ll work on this tonight. I’ll get that done after dinner. I’ll fix that in the morning. I’ll do two more after I watch 15 minutes of this show. I’ll only read one chapter of my book, then I’ll get back to work.)

Sure - most people (me included) would label this procrastination or sloth - but it’s also lying to yourself, and will (in my experience) slowly destroy your self-esteem. Hard to keep loving others and loving God if you’ve reached the point of despising yourself.

Like any bad habit, it’s hard to break - but start small. Begin with tiny promises to yourself and KEEP them. If it’s to read one paragraph before dinner - read that paragraph - and then pat yourself on the back for sticking to what you promised yourself - DON’T fuss about how you could have done more, how much is left to do, etc. You said you would do X and you did. Good job. Then come up with the next step - tell yourself you’re going to do it and then do it. Praise yourself. Then do it again. In other words grin create a positive cycle of committing and finishing things.

Then, before you know it, you won’t be able to let yourself down by not doing what you decide to do. Just stay realistic, set small goals, and keep building momentum. Like others said - add fun and rewards in there too. And don’t forget to keep your promise to yourself by enjoying each reward as you earn it.

Now…guess I better keep my own promise to myself and go get my morning assignment done, huh?

 

[Ruthie_again]

…start small. Begin with tiny promises to yourself and KEEP them. If it’s to read one paragraph before dinner - read that paragraph - and then pat yourself on the back for sticking to what you promised yourself - DON’T fuss about how you could have done more, how much is left to do, etc. You said you would do X and you did. Good job. Then come up with the next step…

Excellent!!

And thanks; I needed to hear that.