How can I motivate myself to focus on the task at hand?

stop playing on fluther. in fact, turn off the computer.

ah, but i'm writing my dissertation on the computer.

turning off the computer is not the issue. the issue is wanting to turn it on in the first place, and getting to work.

My question is, what do you do to get yourself to work? Do you have any strategies or tips?

I have a horrible time with this... but getting a distraction free environment is key. And forcing myself to *start* I think is the biggest hurdle.

caffeine?

The best tip I have is to set up "rewards" for yourself. Set a timer for a do-able amount of time - say 30 minutes or 1 hour. Then, when you've worked for that amount of time, you get to go get a coffee or take a 15 minute break to read or play Solitare or something. I've found that using a timer is a really great way to get motivated and stay on task. You know you only have "x" amount of time you have to focus and it can even be a challenge to yourself. How much can I get done in this amount of time? Can I beat my record? I've found it works for everything from housekeeping to working to break time - whatever.

Thanks! The timer idea sounds great.

I tend to transfer myself to a work-friendly environment. Mostly a library. And I promise myself a milkshake if I get a certain amount of work done by a certain time of day.

I find Adderol to be quite helpful for this type of disorder as I'd like to call it.

use the mantra "I am focused." Say it to yourself hundreds of times (seriously).

When I write my to-do list for the day, that helps, but I can ignore it and procrastinate. As soon as I write out times (12-1 this, 1-2 that), all of the sudden I'm "oh sh**! I'm never gonna get this all done!" That usually gets me into action. Because then 1 o'clock rolls around, task #1 isn't done (or 1 piece of the dissertation), and I'm thinking - now I'm an hour BEHIND. It's stressful but it flips my mindset.

I like the time idea and thanks for reminding us of this Maggie's Mom. Setting the timer on my iPhone right now.

Why do’t you share with us a little about what your dissertation is on.

I came up with this one the other day and really like the possibility of it.

1. Make a list of all the things related to the thing you’re trying to focus on.
2. When you’re tired of making the list, pick one thing and do it until you can check it off.

That’s all.

You can always continue making the list if you don’t feel like doing a list item, but that’s still focusing on it.

If you can’t focus on it, make a list of all the things you’re thinking of and try to make a connection between that tangent item and the thing you want to focus on.