on the topic of self-discipline:
Added 2018-01-19 17:37:01 +0000 UTChi friends !!
i've had something weighing on my mind a lot and i thought that maybe we could talk about it here!! i'm working on the newsletter and i was gonna touch on that in there, but i want more of a discussion type thing
how do y'all curate/develop self-discipline? in the time since i went full time self-employment, i'm realizing that i am really bad at sticking to my own deadlines and things. i procrastinate, i make excuses, i let my anxiety and worry get the better of me, and so i end up doing not nearly as much as i would like to. i have so many ideas (usually, i'm in a bit of a creative block right now) and yet i do nothing to bring them to fruition. even putting dates on a calendar doesn't help me much in terms of getting me to do things — i don't know if it's my anxiety or whatever, but frankly, i'm really sick of pinning everything on that dude! i feel like a good bit of this is my fault.
it's probably as simple as just being stricter with myself, but maybe i don't have the self-respect i need to listen to my own deadlines and stuff?? i've been thinking about this a lot lately and i'd love your feedback.
happy friday! the newsletter will up be later today xx
Comments
No problem! Productivity is something I have always struggled with...making sure I schedule everything and have lists and /times/ that I want to get things done by r e a l l y helps! And I have SEVERE anxiety (like I almost admitted myself to the hospital this last August because I lost 15lbs in 10 days from being unable to eat thanks to my anxiety) and making sure I take care of myself and schedule in self care time (for me reading is the best self care) keeps my mind happy and keeps the triggers at bay 💜 Also, the best thing I have found to combat my anxiety was making sure I was eating healthy and to diffuse Ylang Ylang and Frankincense oil...completely changed my life (and the Frankincense is the only reason I didn't have to admit myself in August).
Lauren Taylor
2018-01-24 20:25:39 +0000 UTCsomething that's been helping me lately is waking up a little earlier and actually going to bed at a reasonable time. my dude had to be up at 5am for a class each day last week so i got up to make him food, and i saw it as a chance to reset my routine. i deeeefinitely spent a few mornings putzing around on instagram to waste time until 'someone actually needed me to do something' for work or whatever, but at the end of the first week i was taking time to journal and just be in the quiet and see the sun rise. today, I woke up a minute before my alarm. I think it's safe to say I managed to get used to the new routine, although my caffeine intake has been THROUGH THE ROOF for the last two weeks, haha. but I guess my point is, giving yourself some time each day FOR YOU (more than a break - time to work on stuff you want to work on for you~) makes it much easier to sit down and get to work later. :)
Wanda the Brave
2018-01-23 20:04:39 +0000 UTCYes indeed! I just recently started to listen to podcasts. Do you have any recommendations?
Esmee Heebing
2018-01-23 08:17:34 +0000 UTCWe got this!!
Caroline Moira
2018-01-23 01:13:15 +0000 UTCI have learned that taking the time to put on real clothes really does make a WORLD of difference! And I should maybe start journaling again...and podcasts are my very best friends! Or videos like Fran's and stuff hehe
cheyenne 🌠
2018-01-22 20:54:15 +0000 UTCwahoo! we're figuring it out!
cheyenne 🌠
2018-01-22 20:51:31 +0000 UTC!!! all of this is amazing. overwhelm has been the highlighted feeling as of late, so i think breaking things down will be a big help. <3
cheyenne 🌠
2018-01-22 20:51:18 +0000 UTCyeah, i'm trying that out with this schedule — i won't be able to do it this week, but i'm at least batching packing my orders and restocking now, which feels good.
cheyenne 🌠
2018-01-22 20:39:33 +0000 UTCessentially a pomodoro technique!! i might try that out, with long bursts of work like that. thank you so so much for this!
cheyenne 🌠
2018-01-22 20:39:04 +0000 UTCI love her to bits but I really need to start putting her advice to work...thank you for reminding me of this incredibly important lesson!! Also trying to make peace with feelings of discomfort !!
cheyenne 🌠
2018-01-22 20:38:06 +0000 UTC!!! this is amazing, thank you!! i spent some time scheduling this morning which felt really good, and i'm hoping that if i keep it up it'll up my productivity and also keep my anxiety at bay. thank you so much xx (and YES TO AUDIOBOOKS though i'm really on podcasts right now eee)
cheyenne 🌠
2018-01-22 20:37:26 +0000 UTCI used to be the biggest procrastinator in the whole world (and still am a bit tbh 😂), and I’m ADD on top of it all, but for me having lists of what I need to accomplish for the month, the week, and the day helps. Plus I have a list of three things that HAVE to get done, a few more items in a list that SHOULD get done, and another list of with what I would LIKE to get done. That way if I JUST finish the ‘have to’ list I still feel good about myself because I got /something/ done. I also take breaks with Netflix and walking my dog...and I have an ergotron arm so I can work at my desk from either a sitting or standing positions. Just being able to change my position really helps! Audiobooks are also 👌🏻. If you search YouTube for basically any book + audiobook you should be able to find it ☺️ I also have one day a week where I’m not allowed to work. Or think about it. If it’s not finished it’s not finished. Right now that day is Sunday (which I do have work on...but it’s socialization and when I’m done with it there’s no school or work work to do) and Saturday if I can swing it 💜. It really helps me stay motivated and keeps me from burning out!
Lauren Taylor
2018-01-22 20:35:15 +0000 UTCI discovered The Life Coach School podcast because of you so I’m going to reiterate some things she said. IM NOT AN EXPERT, I totally have this same issue and I do think it’s a matter of self-respect and bad thought management more than a bad organizational work system. You’re great though just keep going!! But did you listen to her first episodes? Your thoughts causes your feelings which drives your actions. So whenever you’re feeling a rise of anxiety or you find yourself procrastinating, or any time you’re trying to avoid working because it’s uncomfortable to put yourself out there, that’s when she says you need take a look at your thoughts. I’ve recently been doing this thing where before I start working on a task I scheduled to work on at this time, I pin point the fearful thoughts in my head that would cause me to procrastinate. Then I write all those fears down (eg. this artwork will look like shit) and “take it with” me as I work on the task. It’s like saying “yes, fear, I see you, but I’m gonna do it anyway.” I haven’t done it for long enough but so far I think it’s helped a little. Just an idea!
Katy
2018-01-22 04:09:23 +0000 UTCI've recently started meeting with a learning specialist and he's helped me build a daily schedule for myself. I've found that working in bursts of two hours with short (depending on how much you can do per day/how much free time you need, about an hour, but can be more, or less.) breaks in between. during that time you just get as much done as you can, and once your two hours are up, you stop. repeat this throughout your day whenever you can. It sets deadlines, since you're only allowed to work during your designated time (unless you cut into your NEEDED free time.), you really have to push yourself to get as much done as possible! Hope this helps a bit.
Elliot
2018-01-22 00:58:25 +0000 UTCHave you thought of batching your tasks? Monday is for administrative details, Tuesday is for creating etc - I use this due to my chronic illness. It sounds rigid but it works wonderfully for me.
Alyssa Stobaugh
2018-01-21 01:45:19 +0000 UTCSometimes looking at the big picture excites me, but when I'm thinking about the overall scope of a project, I can often get really overwhelmed. I try to break it down into really small steps so that they don't seem intimidating, and I can make slow and steady progress instead of shutting down and procrastinating. It doesn't always work, but sometimes it can be a huge help. Artists are their own worst critics, and sometimes I have to give myself a break and realize that any step forward is progress, and sometimes I need to take a time out to do something else for me.
Michelle Ajodah
2018-01-21 00:10:34 +0000 UTCI started doing freelance work and recently got a part-time job on top of it, but between my commute and my general exhaustion/anxiety, I constantly fall behind on my freelance deadline and get work back to people later than I'd like to. I'm still trying to figure out how to keep myself accountable, right now all I have is the guilt I feel when I don't check something off in my bullet journal. So I'm right there with you!
Caroline Moira
2018-01-20 17:02:08 +0000 UTCFor me it really works to devide everything up in super small tasks and also plan enough me time. Be realistic on how much work you can take on. Wake up early, I am always very productive in the mornings. I also do a lot of journalling om my plans and goals and that motivates me a lot. Get rid of distractions. Put lovely people in the background while working. (Podcasts, I love putting fran on the tv, your ig live videos or just a zoella vlog so I don't feel so lonely 😂). Find a ritm. Give yourself working hours and weekends. Ok and this last super wierd one. When I don't have to go anywhere I do these pyjama days but I am way more productive when showered and wearing a bra. Haha good luck! 😘
Esmee Heebing
2018-01-20 10:51:29 +0000 UTCa huge YES to momentum!
Alexandra Proskurina
2018-01-20 05:02:17 +0000 UTC!!! WOW thank you for these tips!! i need to get back into using some sort of planner regularly for sure. and i might try mind-mapping — thank you so so much
cheyenne 🌠
2018-01-20 04:36:35 +0000 UTCyou're too sweet julie!! i have a meditation app i love, i need to try and use it more xx
cheyenne 🌠
2018-01-20 04:35:54 +0000 UTCHonestly, I struggle with discipline so much. I have all the motivation in the world and all the goals and the thought processes but buckling down and doing it on the daily is tough because I also struggle to keep promises to myself. I think the big things for me are 1) being really cautious that my goals are super realistic, giving myself more time than i think i need. 2) momentum. The more I can get myself to do, the more i want to do. If i can get myself out of bed to do one achievable task, I want to do more. If i let myself wallow, all I want to do is more of nothingness. 3) flexibility isnt bad unless you use it to a fault. Friday mornings are gym days for me, but I didnt feel in the mood for a work out this morning. I was able to talk myself into one by the evening time, no harm no foul. Cant schedule every waking moment. 4) discipline is a learned skill. You cant get better without practicing and youre going to make mistakes. Not an expert because im also in the throws of this challenge, but these are my thoughts and things that help me get better.
BreeAnna Poshek
2018-01-20 04:30:54 +0000 UTCI once saw a very good video by this really awesome woman that might help: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q0xbvlWir0g" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q0xbvlWir0g</a> I feel like so many of us can identify with this. I am in that post-college limbo and attempting to start my own calligraphy business. I put myself a deadline on next week to launch the website. Yeah, that's not happening. Although I'm already having to push that deadline, every time I think about it I feel like at least doing something for the website, even if it is not as much as I planned. More importantly, I focus on one project per day. I find that whenever I plan to work on multiple things in one day I get overwhelmed. I'd rather spend the same 8 hours working but on one single project, then tackling the other on my next work day. (I keep accidentally posting this prematurely. Sorry about that.) Lastly, I love working with people. When someone else is also working in the room, I feel pressured to not be the lazy one, which works wonders! I try to do this as much as possible, even if it is by going to a coffee shop where other strangers are also on their laptops. If they can do it, so can I! I hope this helps, although I feel I'm not really fit to give advice on this quite yet. Just remember that we're here supporting you on your pace, whatever that is. Honestly, I have been quite enjoying the little things you put out here and there (refer to the adorable tomato below). Sending you a hug, sunshine and warmth from Puerto Rico! :)
Solis Scriptorivm
2018-01-20 00:26:50 +0000 UTCHey! I recognized myself in your post 😸 I am a PhD student, not officially employed (basically self-employed too), and apart from my “business” attempts I have a lot of research and papers to do with no official timetables. After months of struggling I worked out some tools for myself, so maybe you’ll find these a bit useful! 1) Microsoft Project. I set myself monthly goals, measurable, so I can check off stuff that is done, and the overall progress is quite visible. 2) Agile roadmapping. I suggest you google “project roadmapping” and look into this, this system is mostly used for programming, but a bit of creativity helps to optimize it. 3) Switching between different nite systems. I currently use Habitica, a bullet journal, a plain notepad and notes on my iPhone. I switch between them depending on my mood and don’t feel any shame when days in my planner go from “Tuesday” to”Friday” — it’s not about having it perfect. 4) LOTS of mind mapping. I usually layer mind maps afterwards, dividing tasks into “lvl 1-2-3 activities”, prioritizing then throughout my days, because “lvl 1” means “essential” and “lvl 3” means “if I have time”. These are the main things!! I’ll add something if anything comes to mind, and if you need pics and/or a cool pdf on agile roadmapping, I’ll link them later when I’m on my computer. Cheers!
Alexandra Proskurina
2018-01-19 17:58:32 +0000 UTCI use the app Trello to stay organized and Headspace to stay calm and centered. Also having friends to share things with and encourage each other helps — keeping each other accountable, meeting up for study dates...even when we each have to study different things, having that support helps. And yes, self love!! I think you’re right about that, having the self respect to believe your voice matters. I think that is an important point. You are such a light in this world and your voice matters to me!! 💕💕💕
Julie Poulsen
2018-01-19 17:53:06 +0000 UTC
