what kind of punishment would work?

[purplepenguin]

Hello everyone,

So I've been struggling a lot with focusing on doing my schoolwork as I always manage to get distracted or find some excuse or just not focus on it. I've been talking to a friend who has suggested that I may need to establish some kind of punishment that will help me stay on track. Because of the way my mind works, it seems that what I'm looking for is a self-inflicted punishment that can be done pretty much immediately. I don't have anyone to enforce the punishment at the moment, and if it's not immediate, I won't care until later.

Also needs to be something that doesn't take long as ideally I'm getting back to homework as soon as possible after punishment.

Does anyone have any ideas? any thoughts at all would be much appreciated.

 

Before you say anything, I have ruled out the following punishments, unless anyone has a reason they think it would be ideal: writing lines, corner time, privileges taken away, spankings, early bedtime

 

Thank you in advance for any help!

[Siniwit]

Just get an elastic/rubber band and put it on your wrist. Every time you catch yourself procrastinating or getting distracted, give it a snap against your skin. That'll snap your focus back and bring your attention back so you can get back to what you intended to do. Doesn't need to be a big snap; just enough to make you notice the sting so your attention is drawn away from whatever's distracting you.

​Could also be that you're procrastinating if you're not totally comfortable, calm and settled in the environment you've set-up for doing your school work and such? Maybe worth re-organising things or tidying up and clearing some physical space to work in so you have the mental head space to focus? Sounds daft, but these things really do make a difference.

​I'm sure others will chime in with ideas and advice too. Doesn't just need to be punishments.

​Hope that helps.

[Guest guycheckingitout]

You have to think really deeply to yourself about the pros and cons of the hw. Imagine your life as a slacker versus you succeeding. Visualize the difference. 

[Siniwit]

You have to think really deeply to yourself about the pros and cons of the hw. Imagine your life as a slacker versus you succeeding. Visualize the difference. 

 

There is a difference between being lazy and not being able to focus. The issue here is that they're not able to focus their attention - not that they don't want to do the work.

[Guest Arc]

Why not try rewards instead? Like if you do X amount of hours, then you get Y. Rewards sound like nicer motivation imo ><

[purplepenguin]

Why not try rewards instead? Like if you do X amount of hours, then you get Y. Rewards sound like nicer motivation imo ><

I suppose I should have mentioned that I've tried that already...several different times. It hasn't helped because when I'm in that space where I'm trying to homework but I can't focus, I'm not thinking about the future at all, and knowing that I get a reward if I get work done won't make any difference to how much I do. It certainly is a nicer idea, but unfortunately not for me

[neworder]

First have a good environment for schoolwork:

 

set a fixed time for school work (6-9pm)

turn off instant messaging

turn off phone

no movies

no music with vocals

don't check email

do schoolwork during daylight (have sunlight coming in thru window) vs after dark

experiment with vocal-less music (like classical) to drown out surrounding noise

 

Write down your stop time (9pm)

 

Punishment:

 

Every time you cause a preventable distraction, add 10 minutes to stop time.