Monday, October 12, 2015

Procrastination

Procrastination

Over the past several months, I have made tremendous gains in terms of my focus and productivity.  I have been successful at knocking out watching TV as a way to procrastinate, I have switched around my work schedule so that I have fewer days of commuting.  I spend less time on Facebook (which I need to continue to weed out).  I have learned how to say no to obligations that didn’t make sense with my schedule, and have found ways to ramp up the amount of time I spend practicing, exercising, and writing.  As a result, the quality of my playing is improving, my endurance while running or doing yoga has improved, and I have made significant strides on my Dissertation.

Well, I have been able to keep up most of the momentum with practicing, and I still find time to run about 3 days a week, assuming the weather is cooperating.  But an addictive game has needled its way into my life- Mini Metro.  It is a glorious little game, where you get to build subway lines, with trains and traffic, etc.  It is quite marvelous, and akin to a doodling habit that I have (drawing subway maps of imaginary cities, which I do on long car trips where I’m not driving, sitting in a dreary meeting).  Over the summer, I started playing it a bit more, on days where I had a bit more downtime.  Perhaps one game in the morning or after a long day of work is fine-- some people do crossword puzzles, others do sudoku to get the noggin going in the morning.  But I often find myself playing a game in between practice sessions, or while I am having lunch, and it puts a cramp on my productivity!  It would be one thing if the game last for 5 minutes, but one single game, if successful, can last close to a half hour!  

I have a similar problem with 2048, a number stacking game that I have on my phone.  (The only game that I have one my phone), and one that I find myself consistently playing on the subway, even if I bring worthwhile reading materials.  I have made it to the grand score of 2048 multiple times (sometimes even several times a day).  Maybe a game or two on the subway is fine, but there are so many good books to read instead!  C’mon, subway-riding me!

I don’t necessarily have a solution, other than replacing the urge to hop on Facebook, play Mini Metro, or 2048 with the URGE to write, the URGE to practice!  Down time is great, if I am in control of it.  Computer games might help to get the mind moving, or slowing down, but they do not help you finish Dissertations on time, and definitely get you nowhere fast when preparing for auditions and recitals!  I am sure I am not the only one facing this problem, and would love to get feedback from others about this.  How do you handle your issues with procrastination?

  I should acknowledge that I decided to write about this blog as a way to stop myself from playing another game, and plan to get back to practicing, just as soon as I finish my lunch, and gaze outside at the leaves falling from the trees...