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Author Topic: Unable to Concentrate  (Read 1448 times)

PyroDesu

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Unable to Concentrate
« on: May 19, 2011, 11:50:03 pm »

So, fellow Bay12'ers, I have a problem.

I am nearly completely unable to concentrate when doing things like projects.
And, I procrastinate.

I am conscious that I am procrastinating, but I never seem to be able to break out of it...
Same with the concentration.

Things like tests, I'm fine, sharpest concentration I can have.

Any Ideas on how to help with either?

And to clarify, I do not have any ADHD, ADD, or anything else. (Or, If I do, nobody knows about it, not even myself)
« Last Edit: May 19, 2011, 11:52:53 pm by PyroDesu »
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Vector

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Re: Unable to Concentrate
« Reply #1 on: May 20, 2011, 12:14:24 am »

If you're on caffeine, get off it.

That was the biggest thing for me.
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PyroDesu

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Re: Unable to Concentrate
« Reply #2 on: May 20, 2011, 12:16:34 am »

Quote
If you're on caffeine, get off it.

But then, how do I stay awake to do the work that I'm distracted from....

*Quietly puts away the bottle of Mountain Dew*
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ChairmanPoo

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Re: Unable to Concentrate
« Reply #3 on: May 20, 2011, 12:49:07 am »

I think caffeine would help him concentrate, barring anxiety attacks.

What you need are hygiene habits. For instance, the guy at xkcd has a good suggestion for not procastinating when working in the computer: whenever you are about to switch from, say, wordpad, where you are working, to checking gmail, turn it off. You can turn it on afterwards if you want, but you have to wait till it boots. He said it helped control those kind of impulses, and he's prolly right.

Also, set yourself manageable (meaning, not ambitious, at least at first) scheudles, and do your best to fulfill them. Avoid falling for distractions. Remove them if necessary.


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PyroDesu

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Re: Unable to Concentrate
« Reply #4 on: May 20, 2011, 12:55:17 am »

Quote
I think caffeine would help him concentrate, barring anxiety attacks.
Thank you, ChairmanPoo

*Takes a sip of Mountain Dew*

Although I can't really tell if I'm having a "Anxiety Attack".... I'm anxious, because of these projects, but I'm not totally freaking out like I've seen before.
(Freshman year at high school is a b*tch!)
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Neonivek

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Re: Unable to Concentrate
« Reply #5 on: May 20, 2011, 01:04:14 am »

PyroDesu how do you feel about your ability to do your projects?

Actually how do things usually go when you actually do things?
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PyroDesu

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Re: Unable to Concentrate
« Reply #6 on: May 20, 2011, 01:05:19 am »

When I actually manage to do them, they're great. Especially ones that I enjoy doing (IE no loss of focus).
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Neonivek

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Re: Unable to Concentrate
« Reply #7 on: May 20, 2011, 01:06:56 am »

When I actually manage to do them, they're great. Especially ones that I enjoy doing (IE no loss of focus).

How often do you not do them?
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PyroDesu

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Re: Unable to Concentrate
« Reply #8 on: May 20, 2011, 01:09:51 am »

It's more, wait until I HAVE to do them then not do them, actually... and for that answer, maybe a little over half? three quarters? I'm not the best at determining things like that.

An example of what I can do while I'm interested: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jHvEVqeqWyg
I'm the cameraman, BTW.
« Last Edit: May 20, 2011, 01:12:48 am by PyroDesu »
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Neonivek

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Re: Unable to Concentrate
« Reply #9 on: May 20, 2011, 01:16:01 am »

Sorry I am just combing to see if it is possibly "Fear of Failure"

That seems unlikely.

You just seem to have horrible time management.
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PyroDesu

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Re: Unable to Concentrate
« Reply #10 on: May 20, 2011, 01:18:55 am »

Well, right now I have a fear of failure!

Seriously, a long, boring project for a final grade? GIVE ME A TEST, NOT A PROJECT!!! >:(
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Neonivek

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Re: Unable to Concentrate
« Reply #11 on: May 20, 2011, 01:23:34 am »

Well, right now I have a fear of failure!

Seriously, a long, boring project for a final grade? GIVE ME A TEST, NOT A PROJECT!!! >:(

While I hate it personally... the solution is likely to give yourself a schedual and make sure you do EVERYTHING you have to do before then.
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PyroDesu

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Re: Unable to Concentrate
« Reply #12 on: May 20, 2011, 01:26:32 am »

Well, I should probably shut up here and get back to work....or, at least, try to.....
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Nospherat

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Re: Unable to Concentrate
« Reply #13 on: May 20, 2011, 02:57:32 am »

I'm the cameraman, BTW.

Whoa whoa, nice! I like to film things, edit... I'm even working on a short movie script myself!
I hope you don't mind a few suggestions? I'm not criticizing here... Just friendly advice from an amateur cameraman to another.  ;)

When filming my hand is shaking too. To compensate this I got a slightly heavier camera.
-Second, make all your camera movements faster. For instance when you introduced the teams, you could have zoomed in a lot faster to "mask" the shaking.
-Whenever I can I get... well... "action shots" (pshaw) Walking or running with the camera - this way the shaking is "justified".
-Hold the camera in a comfortable position. Lower the camera a bit and use the LCD display instead of the eyepiece.
-A trick I've learned playing airsoft: Use bone support, not muscular support. When holding the camera "lock" your hands in a comfy position, have your elbow rest on your body. Also, use a long 2-point sling for the camera and wrap it around your left arm.
-Use any kind of support available. Lean close to a tree, a pole, have your elbows touch a guard rail, etc, whenever you can.
-For when the nature of the clip does not allow moving shots and fast camera movement, since I can't afford professional gear like a steadycam, I got me a cheapo photo camera tripod that works really well.

Use zooming less, move with the camera a bit more.
Around 0:54 when you had the people walking down the hall, instead of zooming out, you could have walked a few steps backward with the camera and then suddenly stop and zoom out fast when the girls in green jump out.

1:55.
Lower the camera a bit, below the speaking character. Just a little bit, perhaps at about his waist line. It will make him seem bigger, thus more important. Adding weight to his words, if you wish. Also you could have started zoomed in on him, and zoom out to reveal the word "recycle" only when he's pointing it out. "Build suspense" ... sort of.
Also, symmetrical, centered shots are "boring" for the brain. For example, have the speaker stand around the e in "recycle" and you stand a bit to the right.
Check your shots before you start shooting. You could have zoomed out fully at first, and noticed that the r does not fit in the scene, and adjusted your position accordingly.

I'd say, if you like filming, work on it. You got the moves, you're off to a good start.
And well, maybe it will help you with your concentration problems. Work on your project for 60 minutes, take a 15 minutes break to fool around with the camera. Film your desk, your pen, film whatever you want. Focus on getting some good shots. Start uploading in your computer, work for another 60 minutes on your project and get back to your shots. Analyze them, see if you can improve.

And so on.

I'm afraid there's no "cure" for procrastination. Your body and mind simply refuses to do something unpleasant. Forcing yourself to do it, only makes it worse.

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Neonivek

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Re: Unable to Concentrate
« Reply #14 on: May 20, 2011, 05:54:29 am »

Quote
I'm afraid there's no "cure" for procrastination

Let me just fill in what me and a lot of others are thinking right now.

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
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