1. So my target behavior was to write a list of homework i had and create a plan/schedule to prevent myself from procrastinating. On thursday, i had a midterm for my morning class, so being tired from the night before's all night study session i was too tired to do anything. Although i did list what i had for homework in my planner, and i came up with a small schedule.
Here's my list and schedule:
English: Write 2 poetry explications (due tuesday Nov. 3)
Psychology: Read and complete the quiz for chapter 8 and complete blogs(due Nov. 4)
Extra Credit: Write the paper for the Human Trafficking Conference (due monday Nov. 2)
My plan was to work on my essay sunday and parts of monday, finish my poetry explications on sunday night, start my reading and take my quiz on monday, and complete the blog on tuesday night.
The only part of my schedule that i actually did was completing my poetry explications on sunday night. Otherwise, Dr. Louie was REALLY NICE about letting me turn in my paper wednesday, and i have yet to take my quiz.
There are several reasons why i did not follow my plan. First, my terrible boss informed me and my coworkers that he is closing the store (i work at coldstone) in a week, which now means i am unemployed and NEED to find a job. My positive reinforcement was going shopping as a reward, but now that i'm on a budget i have no desire to spend money frivolously. Second, it was Halloween this weekend, and as much as i really wanted to try and do my homework early, i was too busy spending time with friends, having fun, and hanging out with my coworkers before we would be split up. Lastly, on sunday i was not scheduled to work, and i had a free day to do my homework, but i had an opportunity to cover a coworker's shift, which for me equals more money.
Bottom line, so many things happened this week, and now i'm more stressed because i need to find a job or else i wont be able to pay for school (i'm sure i'll be fine tho). Because of the stressful/busy week i had, i again chose to put off my homework because i could, and now i'm left with a load of work to do before class. At least i'm doing my blog the night before-ish! Since i did not follow through with my plan, i did not receive any reward
2.Because i don't have a job anymore, i'm not motivated enough to go out and spend money, meaning that i don't have any goal to work towards, meaning that i can continue procrastinating. Having the opportunity to reward myself wasn't a good enough reason to change a life long habit.
3. I explained my thoughts and reactions in number 1. but to continue on my thoughts, i really think that if i actually try to stop procrastinating, i could. Because of the situation last week, i didn't have any real motivation to do my homework, instead i wanted to have fun and enjoy my time. I think in order for the program to work, i need to change my positive reinforcement to a negative punishment. I will continue to make a schedule on thursday night, and if i don't follow through, i will "ground" myself and not be able to go out at all on the following saturday night. Being grounded for just one day doesn't sound like much, but saturdays are my fun days, and this, i think, will motivate me to actually do my work this week!
a. On this website, at the end of the article, it says to visualize yourself when you've completed the task, and the freedom and happiness you feel afterwards. I will use this strategy on homework assignments that seem to hard to do.
http://www.stopprocrastinating.us/break-the-fear-barrier-and-stop-procrastinating/
Hey!
ReplyDeleteI'm really sorry to hear about your job...I really hope you find one soon. I read that you pay for school yourself? In that case, it is important that you have a job but if you're just working for extra money, maybe a break will be nice? I work at Kohl's right now and they give me ridiculous hours (6 PM - 1 AM and 5 AM - 9AM...) so I'm always procrastinating as well. You said that you do not really have any motivation to not procrastinate anymore but if you think about it, now you actually have time to do your work on time. I know I procrastinate but because of work, I usually cannot complete my work and then it just piles up. If I wasn't working, I would eventually get it done before the deadline and I wouldn't have so much work to do now. I do like your idea of turning the positive reinforcement into a negative punishment. I don't know if you NEED to work or if you WANT to but I think a little break may be nice. I hope everything works out for you and good luck!
Although losing your job wasn't a good thing, for purposes of this project it might be something good, yeah?
ReplyDeleteMaybe now that you have a new punishment/reinforcement, the project may go a little more in your favor.
I realize this doesn't help you at all, but you could add "look for a job" as a homework assignment. I don't want to say use it as a "loophole", but if it is something you are required to do, then you should reward yourself for following through with it.
Because circumstances really are working against you right now. But you'll be fine- you seem like one of those people that always finds a way to make everything work.
By the way- I appreciate your efforts to conserve water. ;-)