Focusing problems

[malayang-diwa]

I seriously have trouble focusing on stuff that I have to do. And by that I mean, requirements.

I just noticed this about myself that I tend to become more productive when I don't have to do the thing that I am doing (ex. I love to read but when I have to read my required readings, I just delay the whole process of it and eventually not accomplish anything).

Any advice? (btw, I need to be studying right now for an exam in a few hours... you see!!!)

[LitNetIsGreat]

I think it is quite a common thing. Whenever you have to do something it does not always come as easy as when you can go with your whims. I think that's just life really. Maybe give yourself 'treats' in whatever form they are, when you get through the 'have to' stuff.

[Mutatis-Mutandis]

I think everyone has this problem. It's always much easier and much more enjoyable when you're reading something voluntarily, and hence for pleasure. Even when it's something I like, it's more difficult to read something I'm required to read.

As for advice, I don't know. You'll just have to develop some self-discipline (kind of hypocritical coming from me, as I have little). You could also try *reading along* with an audiobook.

[Brad Panic]

I seriously have trouble focusing on stuff that I have to do. And by that I mean, requirements.....

part of the problem is that "requirements" are something you are ordered to read by an authority.

academic authorities are servants of, if not part of, the bourgeois class in a bourgeois democracy, as many nations are now. When the monarchs ruled, the management of society was the job of an aristocracy and the Church ran the schools. Anyone who runs the schools is given the privilege and the money for doing so at the pleasure of the ruling class of that society. This mean that those who run the schools must convince students to obey the government and not be rebellious and that whoever is the current enemy (communists, fascists, etc) is bad.

In addition to this, those who run the schools, who are now the academic class, must ensure that the population pay it to run them. Thus your professor is manipulating your to pay him for a set of ideas called arbitrarily and education, and at the same time he must serve the bourgeois class that controls the society.

Do you see my point?

There is a fundamental spiritual or we could say moral anomaly about schools.

Whoever the teacher is in any era creates an artificial thing called education which they package in a thing called a degree. But there are some things they leave out of this education, if it is too bothersome for them to give it to you or if they don't want you to know it.

When you have a problem focusing on your assignment, your subconscious mind is wrestling with this problem. We could call it a teleological problem: what is the source of the requirement that you read such and such a book? Your subconscious suspects the authenticity of the assignment, and this is quite right.

[LitNetIsGreat]

part of the problem is that "requirements" are something you are ordered to read by an authority.

academic authorities are servants of, if not part of, the bourgeois class in a bourgeois democracy, as many nations are now. When the monarchs ruled, the management of society was the job of an aristocracy and the Church ran the schools. Anyone who runs the schools is given the privilege and the money for doing so at the pleasure of the ruling class of that society. This mean that those who run the schools must convince students to obey the government and not be rebellious and that whoever is the current enemy (communists, fascists, etc) is bad.

In addition to this, those who run the schools, who are now the academic class, must ensure that the population pay it to run them. Thus your professor is manipulating your to pay him for a set of ideas called arbitrarily and education, and at the same time he must serve the bourgeois class that controls the society.

Do you see my point?

There is a fundamental spiritual or we could say moral anomaly about schools.

Whoever the teacher is in any era creates an artificial thing called education which they package in a thing called a degree. But there are some things they leave out of this education, if it is too bothersome for them to give it to you or if they don't want you to know it.

When you have a problem focusing on your assignment, your subconscious mind is wrestling with this problem. We could call it a teleological problem: what is the source of the requirement that you read such and such a book? Your subconscious suspects the authenticity of the assignment, and this is quite right.

Either that or this is the best excuse for not doing your homework of all time.:)

[Brad Panic]

Either that or this is the best excuse for not doing your homework of all time.

The OP is talking about a real problem for which my socio-political explanation may provide a solution.

[MarkBastable]

The OP is talking about a real problem for which my socio-political explanation may provide a solution.

What you've provided is a possible - and highly debatable - theory concerning the provenance of the problem.

Where's the solution?

Here's my take, for what it's worth.

Some people like to be told what to do. They tend to get their homework in on time, and they also advance unarmed on enemy trenches.

Some people don't like to be told what to do. They tend to hand their homework in late, and they get shot at dawn by their own side.

Both types end up dead, but the first lot die with more certificates.

[Brad Panic]

What you've provided is a possible - and highly debatable - theory concerning the provenance of the problem. ...

Assuming my theory has some merit, the solution to the OP's problem is either to internalize the values of the institution, i.e., to start thinking assigned tasks are his true interests; or to take courses in subjects that he would read himself even if he were not in school. Neither solution is perfect because the first leads to madness, the other is not possible because he must first get his requirements out of the way, most of which he will not like.

If he takes the bird's eye, world-historical view I have explained, however, he can reach an accommodation.