For me, I find that if I'm having trouble focusing on a task (or even just getting started on a task) that putting on some classical music, or sometimes maybe soft rock or acoustic rock, that it helps me at least get started. Also, sometimes taking a short walk helps. What do you do?
I have one of those dog collars that zaps me when I stray.
I just do stuff
I do stuff too but these days I'm slower at it. I've been trying to dust for a week.
I reclassify them are unnecessary and cross them off the list. That seems to work.
Whatever it takes...
Ah yes, so bad that I enrolled in a procrastination class about 30 yrs ago. I was given advice and direction to read this book and that book. Rationalize and attack my false beliefs etc., etc.
Eventually, I decided to do the dishes or whatever incrementally. THAT was the secret to my success. It is a lot easier to commit to small doses. So simple, so pragmatic, so me.
I can tackle just about any task except paperwork and red tape. I loathe it. I will put it off as long as possible. Sometimes I offer myself a reward, such as telling myself to fill out the forms and get them ready to submit, and then I can open that bottle of Reisling chilling in the fridge.
I just do it. Sometimes, i hve to wait until my grandson carries something upstairs or downstairs for me ( like the Dyson vacuum - too heavy for me) and sometimes I have to reschedule tasks, but mostly I just do it.
These days I find it harder to get started on my tasks. Sometimes I write down what I have to do and leave the paper where I can find it. Tonight I replaced a water faucet in a small shower stall. I'm done in about 2 hours and happy with it. Earlier I did a faucet/ shower combo in a bathtub in another room. My friend asked my why they had both went out at once. Nothing went out. They have needed replaced probably for the last 6 years. I'm just slow to get things done.
Well, I'm add/adhd/infp.... Sometimes music- usually classical (The Modau, Concierto Aranjuez, Beethoven, Grofe) but often I'll pop up a movie or tv show I'm very well acquainted with. My mind wanders very easily. If I have an "anchor" I'm familiar with, I can mentally teather myself to those mental cues and then able to focus on the task I need done. This works ofen, but mostly when I'm stressed about another issue. :-\
I make a list and try to get each task done one at a time. It is gratifying to mark each task off when I am done. I also like to listen to music while I am working, but I have to watch it if I am doing paperwork, because sometimes I get to singing and then I start typing the lyrics.
These days I'm not really sure what gets me by day to day? It could be dumb luck (if such a thing exists that is)? It could be because I recently got a raise at work (nah, that didn't happen)? That much is a mystery to me. I do remember as a teenager a popular drink called Bawls Guarana used to get me past the rough days and keep me focused (how couldn't it have, it contained a mixture of sugar caffeine and guarana). These days I find myself in need of a far more potent elixir...like a nice tall glass of napalm and paint thinner, that would really hit the spot right about now. Some of the other comments on here were interesting though...
I start something I really Don't want to do and then get Tons of other stuff done avoiding it!
I don't! Sadly. When I was younger I would complete all tasks as quickly as possible to get them done and off my to do list. Now I just don't want to do anything that I don't want to do which means all tasks get done on a 'running out of time' basis.
Oh how we put off big tasks. My thing is too research my idea of what to do, buy the goods and then MAKE THE FIRST CUT. No matter the task, once you begin it is not over until I finish. In woodworking I will spend a few hundred dollars on wood and stain, I do not use plans so it is wing time. I know that once the first piece of wood is cut the project has begun
I tend to want to read all day, so I set a timer. I read for 45 minutes, then do a task, for example, empty the dishwasher. Then I read again, etc. It sounds silly, but if you live alone, there really is no reason to keep to a schedule. It's hard to clean your house if you know that you don't usually invite people over. This way, my house is reasonably clean, and I also get up and walk a bit instead of reading for hours.