I realize this isn't a self-help forum, but I've been beating my head against a wall for a while and figured the folks on here had some wisdom to divulge. How do you stay motivated for tasks with abstract, uncertain and unrewarding goals in the immediate future? Tasks which you know you must commit to but for the life of you, evade the dedication and discipline required to complete them.
Repeating mantras to oneself doesn't always work, especially if they're obvious: "Just do the damn thing" is probably the most sane and practical idea to ram into one's head, but doesn't seem to work. I expect that this is the type of advice many would give, but I was hoping somebody knew of a more systematic, rewarding method.
In light of that, this got me thinking: is chronic procrastination merely a product of modernity? I have a hard time believing that warrior societies had any time to bother with procrastinators, who out of necessity had to fight to survive on a regular basis. It seems that procrastination is partly a product of peace and plenty and other parts psychological dilemmas induced through modernity. So then, is chronic masturbation, like other addictions, a genetic weakness one is predisposed and condemned to dealing with? What is the nature of addictions? What way is there to explain believing in one thing and then avoiding it by doing something completely opposite to it?
ie.
1. Statement of goals: X must be done. X is necessary for ultimate goals Y and Z.
2. Avoidance through excuse giving: X is difficult/meticulous/unrewarding/time consuming/etc. Time to do A or B.
3. Results in even more unfavourable situation: *feelings of guilt/shame/regret/embarrassment/etc.*
4. Rinse and repeat. Eventually, no excuse is given for step 2. One knows the excuses are only lies to oneself. Bad habit becomes entrenched
5. Unfavourable situations turn even more unfavourable.
Some procrastinators enjoy the avoidance itself and/or the activities they do instead of tending to responsibilities. For others like me, I realize it's a distraction and as a result, it's not truly rewarding and instead soul-crushing.