Total procrastination mode

Nurses General Nursing

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  • Specializes in Plastics. General Surgery. ITU. Oncology.

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canesdukegirl, BSN, RN

1 Article; 2,543 Posts

Specializes in Trauma Surgery, Nursing Management.
I learned this trick in a writing class. I sit down at the computer with no pressure to write THE paper. I just tell myself that I will brainstorm my thoughts regarding the topic. I type in the brainstorming mode: very little punctuation, no editing, just stream of consciousness.I consistently find that doing this while truly promising myself that I don't have to do anymore for now leads to a great start to the paper. What seems to happen is that I (a) get involved in the topic by just brainstorming, and (b) my internal "editor" is so strong that I can't leave the stream of consciousness writing alone...I feel compelled to rework it, rewrite it, make something of it. And of course, once you've got the skeleton outline, the rest will usually follow.Works every time for me!

YES!!! This is EXACTLY what I was going to suggest! I just sit down and start typing about what I DO know, then go back and edit. I then take on the research aspect of it.

It is amazing what will "pour forth" when you sit down and start typing, like you would do here. Rant, vent, type out questions, curiosities, etc. on your chosen topic and then go back and put it into proper format. You will develop a thread of thought and you will then "find" your paper. Don't limit yourself, don't over think it...just sit down and start typing. Whatever comes to mind-it doesn't matter what you write-the point is to put words on paper. It's kinda like starting to paint a blank canvas. Pick up your brush, place a stroke. Then another. Then you can't seem to stop. You will surprise yourself at the art that you have created. It never fails!

If you are having a hard time even starting on a topic, write down what experiences you have had in Onc. It doesn't have to be work related. Go from there. Be free in your writing. It will come to you.

canesdukegirl, BSN, RN

1 Article; 2,543 Posts

Specializes in Trauma Surgery, Nursing Management.

Oh how I am dreading to write

I pace, I clean, I peel.

I may even go fly my kite!

If there is only one more moment I can steal

Because I must have everything "just right".

Perhaps I should go now and make my meal.

How I am drowning in writing sorrow!

But I think perhaps, I will do that tomorrow.

Specializes in School Nursing.

I feel the same way about writing papers... for some reason I wait until the last, last, last minute. I can't ever think of the right thing to write.. :(

TDCHIM

686 Posts

Specializes in Health Information Management.

Tell you what, iNurseUK: I'll trade you! ;) I'll do your essay (I like writing essays - what can I say, I'm odd) if you'll do my assignment analyzing how web services can help health management information systems achieve interoperability. Booooring, and the reading material is written in corporatespeak gobbledygook to boot.

Hmm, yes - I really think I need to go alphabetize my dirty laundry or get a head start on planning my preschooler's high school graduation party....

catshowlady

393 Posts

Specializes in ICU.

You folks are all crazy! I'd so much rather write papers than clean my house! Maybe we can arrange a swap... :lol2:

:paw:

regularRN

400 Posts

I totally empathize... I am studying myself right now, and have previously shown very little interest in housework; yet the day before a paper is due I'm polishing woods floors, cleaning windows, even ironing (when I have nothing that really needs ironing)... then I'm awake all night writing the paper...

GaGal777

23 Posts

Specializes in Pshych; LTC.
I learned this trick in a writing class. I sit down at the computer with no pressure to write THE paper. I just tell myself that I will brainstorm my thoughts regarding the topic. I type in the brainstorming mode: very little punctuation, no editing, just stream of consciousness.I consistently find that doing this while truly promising myself that I don't have to do anymore for now leads to a great start to the paper. What seems to happen is that I (a) get involved in the topic by just brainstorming, and (b) my internal "editor" is so strong that I can't leave the stream of consciousness writing alone...I feel compelled to rework it, rewrite it, make something of it. And of course, once you've got the skeleton outline, the rest will usually follow.Works every time for me!

:yeah:I DO THE SAME THING, LOL! IT WORKS!:yeah:

Specializes in Geriatrics, Transplant, Education.
Ugh! I'm having to do a short (6 months) course at university to acquire some required skills and knowledge pertinent to my current employment in Oncology.

Faced with (cue ominous music) the horror of actually having to write an essay I go into total procrastination mode. ANY displacement activity will do rather than sitting staring blankly at the flashing cursor in Word.

Honestly I'm horrible at this stuff. I already have an honours degree and am not unfamiliar with academic papers but I find myself cleaning the fridge, arranging my DVD's into alphabetical order,cleaning the kitty litter tray and posting on here ANYTHING but start writing the wretched paper.

Any motivational tips?

When you figure out how to overcome your procrastination, let me know...I'm in the same boat :clown:

It's amazing how clean my room will be, laundry done, kitchen/bathroom cleaned (my roommates used to love me for that, and now my mum does since I'm at home during grad school).

I always have every intention of starting papers early, and it never ends up happening. I think it's because deep down I know I do A+ work under pressure haha.

I'm just now starting to procrastinate on a paper on Betty Neuman's Neuman Systems Model....it'll be hopefully done this weekend (just in time to start the next assignment!)

vibinmichel

1 Post

Think you had just made up your mind not to write that assignmen... No body can help untill you make up your mind.

nursej22, MSN, RN

3,821 Posts

Specializes in Public Health, TB.

I used to set a timer, usually for 30 minutes, and then concentrate on nothing but the assignment. When time was up, I would stop and do something else (like housework) for a set amount of time. And then I work go back to to the assignment and work for another 30 minutes.

There was something about breaking the task into short periods, and thinking about just that help me focus and make progress. And walking away periodically was helpful to look at what I was working on with fresh eyes.

TDCHIM

686 Posts

Specializes in Health Information Management.

For those interested in reading analysis/philosophizing about procrastination (it could be especially interesting and/or useful to those currently procrastinating), here's a link to a piece by James Surowiecki from this week's issue of The New Yorker. I read it after I finished my assignment. :lol2:

@NurseKatie08: I do the exact same thing for the exact same reason. Deadline pressure truly does help me write better. The more time I have, the more I cut and rewrite my story/essay/presentation/whatever, until it ends up a pile of overwritten dreck.

iNurseUK, RN

348 Posts

Specializes in Plastics. General Surgery. ITU. Oncology.

I hope you are pleased to hear I got an A+ for my assignment.

Yes, I wrote it the night before it was due in and now I am procrastinating about the next one.

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