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J41's work shenanigans and other thrilling realisations
Joseph41:
JOTTERING JOSEPH #1
I think this year has helped me to realise the importance of breaks.
I've always been big on the whole not pushing yourself too hard philosophy. Like, if I didn't want to study, I wouldn't study - and that worked for me. I've written fairly heavily on things like keeping certain times of the week free, trying not to get drawn into working 24/7 (with varying success), and so on. I've taken breaks when I've needed them.
But like, that's always really been on a day-to-day basis. Don't work too long for any given period of time, make sure you get your sleep each night etc. What I've realised this year is that you also need breaks on a wider level. Stress, fatigue and shit like that really can accumulate without you noticing - and if that happens, you're not going to have a fun time.
Next year, and from now, I'm going to try to more actively take care of myself. Not that I'm an unhealthy person (I don't think) - but I could certainly go out of my way more to, y'know, make sure I'm sweet.
AngelWings:
--- Quote from: Joseph41 on November 29, 2017, 04:51:01 pm ---I've written fairly heavily on things like keeping certain times of the week free, trying not to get drawn into working 24/7 (with varying success), and so on. I've taken breaks when I've needed them.
--- End quote ---
What's your advice on sticking to taking breaks when you should and making that a new habit, instead of procrastinating? (I feel like you've answered this before and I've probably missed it. Sorry if this is so.)
Joseph41:
--- Quote from: AngelWings on November 29, 2017, 11:42:29 pm ---What's your advice on sticking to taking breaks when you should and making that a new habit, instead of procrastinating? (I feel like you've answered this before and I've probably missed it. Sorry if this is so.)
--- End quote ---
I think the most pertinent thing here is to make sure your breaks are simply more enjoyable than procrastinating.
I'd usually set myself a target - so like, perhaps watch a lecture, or spend half an hour summarising notes, or an hour working on an essay. For me, time constraints work(ed) better than quantity constraints, if that makes sense. Saying something like "I'll work until I get this introduction done" is to me when you become most vulnerable to procrastination; you could, theoretically, be working on that introduction for hours. Until you finish the introduction, you don't feel like you deserve a break or whatever, but obviously you can't keep concentration levels high that entire time. As a result, you (well, I) tend to start doing other things - checking Facebook, thinking about other shit. Just generally not being productive.
By setting time limits, on the other hand, I knew when the break was coming - and that motivated me to be more productive in the time I had remaining. When the break came, I tried to do something I genuinely enjoyed. So like, not just scrolling through social media. Usually this involved walking to go and get coffee. ;)
In general, I've been pretty cognisant of my marks and the like. If I'm not doing anything of note, I feel like I should be, so my go to was usually to read the essay one more time, or do one more reading etc. Having these time constraints really helped, though, with both productivity and making sure I wasn't working too hard.
Not 100% if that answered your question or not, but I hope so! :)
heids:
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spampost to get this thread into my unread replies and also to annoy Joseph with 1pt font ily <3
Joseph41:
--- Quote from: heids on November 30, 2017, 01:08:24 pm ---.
spampost to get this thread into my unread replies and also to annoy Joseph with 1pt font ily <3
--- End quote ---
I have mixed feelings about this.
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