Laziness and lack of focus

[Amanda Lewone]

I am trying to change my life but I have the problem of laziness. Real life activities are so tiring. 

I had this idea in my head that I would become a fit, intellectual and spiritual person  and practice  music for fun (and forget my loneliness, lack of connection, depression, social awkwardness and just general failures). 

But…

• Running 
• Studying 
• Prayer/meditation/bible study 
• Learning music theory 

…is difficult 

I find it hard to focus on a task for even 10 minutes. 

After just 30 minutes of studying I feel tired. My mind is exhausted. After just 10 minutes of running I cannot breathe. My ankles hurt. I thought music would be easy, but learning to read and play notes requires a lot of concentration. 

I can…

• Daydream for hours, playing scenarios over and over...
• Randomly surf the net 
• Watch TV 
• Think about myself and my problems 
• Think about becoming better (like I imagine myself effortlessly running, praying with vigour, eating salads and playing “greensleeves”)

…but those activities will get me nowhere! (It’s okay to do them for 2 or 3 hours a day, relax, relieve stress, but to spend the entire day on such activities…I just don’t know). 

I know I should start small…

…I get distracted easily.

I will try again tomorrow. 

I will print out what I need to read and keep distractions far away. I will try focus for 3 hours. Since I can’t go 3 hours straight I will read for 25 minutes and take 15 minute breaks (walking, skipping, the mini stepper, weights). The break should be a physical activity. Something that gets my heart rate up for a few minutes to just wake my brain up. 

During the break I am not allowed to  go online or think about myself and my problems or entertain fantasies.  

That’s the plan for tomorrow. 

I can’t give up on myself…

 

[Nathaly]

Oh, this is why it is still MALADOPTIVE because I just can't concentrate and work! Struggling with it every day.

[Amanda Lewone]

@DustyRose Thanks! I just read two articles from the blog. Definitely one to follow. 

The hardest part is starting. Stopping the time-wasting activity that I am doing and starting to work!

The second is the first 20-30 minutes. If I can force myself to keep focused for the first 20 minutes, it gets easier after that.

[Dusty]

I totally get where you're coming from! It's sooooo hard to have enthusiasm for real life wholesome activities when other things ie. everything you're mentioned youre good at.

I found this reallly good blog about self-improvement though, I think everyone ever should read it!!!

This one is about becoming better at things you want to be good at: http://www.raptitude.com/2013/12/find-balance-over-your-years-not-y...

[Amanda Lewone]

Matthew, that is an awesome post! :) I need to clean my room but my instant gratification monkey wants me to stay online :) 

@Rafael, it is indeed. I feel like it has ruined my life. Okay maybe it's not completely ruined, but I am living way below potential; and it sucks!

[Rafael Hernandez]

I always say that a deadly combination is procrastination + daydreaming