BAKICIDW/LJ: Refocusing

[firecat]

Are there any books, web sites, communities, or apps for this? --> "Getting things done when you're depressed, easily fatigued, easily distracted, virtually unable to prioritize, and tending to have a problem with authority, including your own."

Are there any for this? --> "Relearning how to set and follow through with goals when you've forgotten how and have the issues mentioned above."

In the past I've tried and failed to be inspired by Flylady, Unfuck Your Habitat, Getting Things Done, TiddlyWiki, and various others. But if you have issues similar to mine and use them effectively, feel free to explain how.

I keep on top of small tasks using a reminder app (*and I need to remember that I used to have trouble with that, so my current state of frustration is actually a little distance down the road of where I think I want to go, so yay?*) but so far I haven't figured out how to make it work for bigger projects.

ETA: I'm mainly seeking recs for tools/books/communities that you have worked with. I know the guidelines (such as "break down the task" and "designate x minutes to work on the task") but I get into states where I have a hard time putting the guidelines into practice.

Comments

[johnpalmer]

In managing depression and fatigue, I've found that if I'm depressed, I just need the reminder, and if I'm fatigued, I need to make the task physical.

What do I mean by "physical"? If I'm fatigued, I don't want to exercise, but I can stay on the treadmill if I get myself there. I don't think about the kitchen, but if I decide to clear the counters and load the dishwasher, that will get done. Once it hits a pure physical "here's a beginning, you know how to get to the end, just hold on until you get there" I'll get it done.

There are failures to this. For example, if I dump my laundry on my bed in hopes that I'll put it away before bed, well, it's far too easy to find a place to put the laundry. On the other hand, if I start putting laundry away, I will get it done.

Right now, I'm going through a "if no one will get hurt, and I feel like screaming if I think of doing it, I don't have to do it" phase, so I can't answer how to get things done very well right now. I've always gotten stuff done through tenacity, but that's not a good long term answer.

[firecat]

Right now, I'm going through a "if no one will get hurt, and I feel like screaming if I think of doing it, I don't have to do it" phase, so I can't answer how to get things done very well right now.

I hope you get to a place where fewer things make you feel like screaming to do them.