5 answers
Danil
Student
Bronx, ID
2
Questions
Updated
417 views
What Are Effective Strategies for Self-Discipline?
I'm a college junior, studying cybersecurity; with an emphasis on network security. My dream job is to become a network security professional for Cisco and manage Cisco devices; this is the roadmap and the career goal I have set for myself.
However, the more I reflect on my current situation, I find myself having a hard time being present and procrastinating over what needs to be done.
For example, my biggest goal of the year is to earn the CCNA certification; a highly respected and recognized accolade in the networking industry, earned by many network administrators, who want to work for Cisco. It's a certification I've been interested in for some time now, but I'm finding myself lacking the motivation and get self-doubt in my ability to study; I find myself getting more distracted with less intimidating goals like Hats & Ladders or making this post.
What are some effective ways, backed by science to discipline my mind and achieve these accolades?
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5 answers
Mona Ahmadi
Art Instructor, Artist
23
Answers
Vienna, Virginia
Updated
Mona’s Answer
Hello Danil,
I hear you :) Believe me, from time to time, everyone can be where you are right now, and this usually happens when we are planning something vital or taking a massive step in our lives because these decisions can be stressful and create anxiety. Subconsciously we try to delay them by any justification to reduce the unpleasantness of doing them. We keep telling ourselves we'll tackle our projects tomorrow, and eventually, we become increasingly frustrated for not getting it done.
But when we understand why we tend to fall into this trap, we can assess our situation better and successfully get over it. This behavior is like a short-time gain and long-term loss process. The reasons could be:
1-We consider our task unpleasant, so it makes us bored.
2-We don't believe in our abilities, even what we have managed to do before; now, we don't feel confident enough anymore. If self-efficacy is low, we're less likely to begin a task or see it through.
3-We are afraid of results and making mistakes. The more anxiety we experience about a task, the more likely we'll put it off until later. It can also be social anxiety. The fear of being judged or embarrassed can cause us to delay our tasks.
4- We believe we won't perform well or fail altogether. We think we have to put it off until we become perfect and suddenly feel more inspired or have a better idea, even though inspiration and progress are more likely to strike once a person starts a task.
5-Distraction, like the lure of social media, which has increased immensely in the last ten years, will not let us focus, so we lose interest. We become more interested in more leisurely, less engaging, less demanding tasks like scrolling aimlessly through different media. When we are done and fed our brain shortened, fast-paced, and tiresome info, we don't have the energy to start a long-term task.
6-We are not sure what is expected of us. When we don't have a clear perspective of the outcome or the task at hand and don't ask others to help us with it, we are less likely to finish it.
Here are some tips to overcome procrastination:
Whatever-It-Is-Just-Start
The surest way to beat procrastination is to start doing what you dread. Stop analyzing the project and begin to work on it. For example, work for 15 minutes, then see if you want to continue. The hardest part is the beginning. Then you see it wasn't as difficult as you thought.
Break-the-Task-Down-Into-Small-Manageable-Chunks
Don't make yourself overwhelmed. If it seems "too much," you might not do it. Make a plan and break it into steps. So your mind will consider it more manageable. Make a step-by-step framework for each project, and every time you finish one, reward yourself with some fun time. Then the stress will be replaced by satisfaction.
Become-More-Organized
You might put it off altogether if you overestimate how much you can achieve in a specific timeframe. Organizational strategies can be helpful in such cases. For example, time management can limit procrastination behaviors. Listing your tasks, prioritizing them, and scheduling deadlines can be a start. Also, designate a workspace in your home that puts you in a good mindset. You will more likely get in the mood of doing them this way. And limit distractions by closing applications on your computer or placing your phone in another room while you work.
Increase-Your-Motivation
Don't let your emotions and negative thoughts get in the way of what you need to do. We tend to avoid tasks that we’ve identified as lacking value. Instead of resenting a task, introduce positive thoughts. Again rewarding yourself in small ways can help.
For example, you can increase your motivation to attend an exercise class by treating yourself to coffee with friends afterward.
You can even reward yourself with a positive attitude by finding meaning in activities you tend to avoid. You may resent the term paper you’re writing, but you can focus on the college degree you’ll ultimately earn and what it will bring into your life.
Understand-That-You-Are-Not-Lazy
This is not laziness: it’s a behavior caused by the stress in our lives or unfounded negative beliefs we have about ourselves. So don't be hard on yourself. You are not alone.
I strongly suggest you read this article about "Time Management" that I added below. It's a step-by-step list of how to get back to your progress by managing your time and completing your tasks with satisfaction and peace of mind. It is very helpful:
https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/manage-your-time-better
Sorry that the answer is too long. I have been there, and I know what it feels like, so I tried to share what worked for me. I hope it was helpful. I wish you lots of success in your journey.
I hear you :) Believe me, from time to time, everyone can be where you are right now, and this usually happens when we are planning something vital or taking a massive step in our lives because these decisions can be stressful and create anxiety. Subconsciously we try to delay them by any justification to reduce the unpleasantness of doing them. We keep telling ourselves we'll tackle our projects tomorrow, and eventually, we become increasingly frustrated for not getting it done.
But when we understand why we tend to fall into this trap, we can assess our situation better and successfully get over it. This behavior is like a short-time gain and long-term loss process. The reasons could be:
1-We consider our task unpleasant, so it makes us bored.
2-We don't believe in our abilities, even what we have managed to do before; now, we don't feel confident enough anymore. If self-efficacy is low, we're less likely to begin a task or see it through.
3-We are afraid of results and making mistakes. The more anxiety we experience about a task, the more likely we'll put it off until later. It can also be social anxiety. The fear of being judged or embarrassed can cause us to delay our tasks.
4- We believe we won't perform well or fail altogether. We think we have to put it off until we become perfect and suddenly feel more inspired or have a better idea, even though inspiration and progress are more likely to strike once a person starts a task.
5-Distraction, like the lure of social media, which has increased immensely in the last ten years, will not let us focus, so we lose interest. We become more interested in more leisurely, less engaging, less demanding tasks like scrolling aimlessly through different media. When we are done and fed our brain shortened, fast-paced, and tiresome info, we don't have the energy to start a long-term task.
6-We are not sure what is expected of us. When we don't have a clear perspective of the outcome or the task at hand and don't ask others to help us with it, we are less likely to finish it.
Here are some tips to overcome procrastination:
Whatever-It-Is-Just-Start
The surest way to beat procrastination is to start doing what you dread. Stop analyzing the project and begin to work on it. For example, work for 15 minutes, then see if you want to continue. The hardest part is the beginning. Then you see it wasn't as difficult as you thought.
Break-the-Task-Down-Into-Small-Manageable-Chunks
Don't make yourself overwhelmed. If it seems "too much," you might not do it. Make a plan and break it into steps. So your mind will consider it more manageable. Make a step-by-step framework for each project, and every time you finish one, reward yourself with some fun time. Then the stress will be replaced by satisfaction.
Become-More-Organized
You might put it off altogether if you overestimate how much you can achieve in a specific timeframe. Organizational strategies can be helpful in such cases. For example, time management can limit procrastination behaviors. Listing your tasks, prioritizing them, and scheduling deadlines can be a start. Also, designate a workspace in your home that puts you in a good mindset. You will more likely get in the mood of doing them this way. And limit distractions by closing applications on your computer or placing your phone in another room while you work.
Increase-Your-Motivation
Don't let your emotions and negative thoughts get in the way of what you need to do. We tend to avoid tasks that we’ve identified as lacking value. Instead of resenting a task, introduce positive thoughts. Again rewarding yourself in small ways can help.
For example, you can increase your motivation to attend an exercise class by treating yourself to coffee with friends afterward.
You can even reward yourself with a positive attitude by finding meaning in activities you tend to avoid. You may resent the term paper you’re writing, but you can focus on the college degree you’ll ultimately earn and what it will bring into your life.
Understand-That-You-Are-Not-Lazy
This is not laziness: it’s a behavior caused by the stress in our lives or unfounded negative beliefs we have about ourselves. So don't be hard on yourself. You are not alone.
I strongly suggest you read this article about "Time Management" that I added below. It's a step-by-step list of how to get back to your progress by managing your time and completing your tasks with satisfaction and peace of mind. It is very helpful:
https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/manage-your-time-better
Sorry that the answer is too long. I have been there, and I know what it feels like, so I tried to share what worked for me. I hope it was helpful. I wish you lots of success in your journey.
Chinedu Onuorah
3
Answers
Asaba, Delta, Nigeria
Updated
Chinedu’s Answer
Coming to the conclusion that you are procrastinating shows that you have what it takes to break out of your shell. In all that you do always have the self confidence that you can do it even if it seems that the road ahead is difficult, I will advice you to have a To-Do list. Prioritize your To-Do list using Eisenhower's urgent/important principle taking care of your main task at your peak state. Set a schedule and reward yourself after completing it, ask someone to always check up on you in order to make sure you are not dawdling. The last but not the least always minimize distractions it can be your environment, screen time, hobbies and the rest , always do the right thing at the right time and focus on the major goals.
Atul Bhankharia
Sales
456
Answers
Mount Laurel, New Jersey
Updated
Atul’s Answer
Don't take on more than you can handle. Prioritize your grades and enroll in rigorous courses to earn your Bachelor of Science degree with honors. Once you've achieved this and aced the exams that most potential employers require, you'll have ample time to pursue certifications. Remember, it's crucial to get your priorities right. This approach will benefit you greatly. If you tend to procrastinate or fail to meet the necessary requirements, you might struggle to thrive in this field. That's just how life works.
Peter Huang
Security consultant
79
Answers
Cupertino, California
Updated
Peter’s Answer
Many have shared valuable advice on enhancing the temperament aspect of learning, emphasizing persistence, preservation, and patience. I'd like to add a few suggestions to aid you in the field of networking. Earning your CCNA is the initial step towards becoming a network engineer, and hands-on experience is even more important. no one want to trust an engineer that can mess up their network.
Invest in a book that comes with software, allowing you to practice your networking skills, specifically configuration. Once you've grasped that, consider setting up your own home network or seek employment that provides opportunities to apply these skills.
After learning about layer-2, you can progress to layer-3. Remember, becoming a network engineer goes beyond obtaining certifications. The practical skills you acquire are more significant than the certificates themselves. There's no need to stress over exams if you've already honed the necessary skills and knowledge.
Don't fret about finding motivation. It will naturally follow if you're truly passionate about this path. So, keep going, keep learning, and keep improving. Your dedication will lead you to success.
Invest in a book that comes with software, allowing you to practice your networking skills, specifically configuration. Once you've grasped that, consider setting up your own home network or seek employment that provides opportunities to apply these skills.
After learning about layer-2, you can progress to layer-3. Remember, becoming a network engineer goes beyond obtaining certifications. The practical skills you acquire are more significant than the certificates themselves. There's no need to stress over exams if you've already honed the necessary skills and knowledge.
Don't fret about finding motivation. It will naturally follow if you're truly passionate about this path. So, keep going, keep learning, and keep improving. Your dedication will lead you to success.
Jacob Silverman
6
Answers
Austin, Texas
Updated
Jacob’s Answer
I typically start with small goals that get the ball rolling that don't require a ton of time or pulling you in a million directions. For example, if you want to start getting more fit and start working out and you currently don't go at all, I would start with a small goal of two days per week. As you get more comfortable you can ramp up from there.
A big mistake is going from 0-100% which leads to failure as soon as you miss a day on what you promised yourself. Start with small achievable goals that make you feel good and slowly add from there.
A big mistake is going from 0-100% which leads to failure as soon as you miss a day on what you promised yourself. Start with small achievable goals that make you feel good and slowly add from there.