Sometimes when I am resistant to working, I put on a playlist of long songs alternating with this one song which is exactly 2 minutes long. During the short song, I get to take a break. When the next long song starts I get to switch to a different task. This is a way of bargaining with procrastination, which is sometimes helpful as a self-employed person.
I think this is a pretty perfect break song: My Valuable Hunting Knife, by Guided by Voices. It kicks right off with breaktime sentiment.
"I want to start a new life!"
Something about the lo-fi noise factor, and the goofy echoey drum makes me feel completely unprofessional and on vacation. Also I really enjoy macho rock gestures (yelling "hit it!" or "come on!") within dinky music, so this instantly cheers me up.
My Trusted MOGs
Very nice ookpik. GBV are good stuff. I like the macho rock gestures as well.
My Trusted MOGs
Good stuff indeed. I only saw two GBV shows, but both were extremely good. Maybe I should try your procrastination management technique, since procrastination is one of the pitfalls of academic writing work as well.
My Trusted MOGs
Great track, thanks...and I know too well how all this apathy feels...
My Trusted MOGs
"Bargaining with Procrastination" could very well be my autobiography. Or my debut album that will never surface. I've also coined the term "Under Procrastinator" (TM all rights reserved, etc. :) for those over achievers I meet.
My Trusted MOGs
ha ha. oh, under procrastinators. they make me suspicious.
lately i am trying to actually get to the bottom of my procrastination, rather than just patch the symptoms. i think it is usually about feelings (too worried, self-conscious, unsure, angry, [whatever] to do my work). i'm a big booster of Feeling the Feelings when it comes to procrastination. but sometimes it is handy to have tricks and tips, still.
My Trusted MOGs
I think apathy and feeling blah-zay about things is usually why I procrastinate and then things build up and I'm all "AHHHH". I'm all about tips or tricks. I think that's why I like Life Hacks so much.
On another note... I remember reading somewhere a long time ago that when Guided by Voices was touring with Pavement they were lovingly nicknamed "Guided by Handjobs".
My Trusted MOGs
That is a fantastic idea. I may have to borrow that from you.
My Trusted MOGs
i'm more of daydreamer in those situations, need to escape
and this song does the trick and rocks me at the same time, all in 2 minutes
from the same record too