The Nightfly

Right, I'll cut straight to the point. I've never had good self motivation in situations that don't interest me/engage my interests. By this I mean that I will quite happily spend hours learning a song I love on guitar, or I'll get up early to go and exercise because these are both things I want to do. However, if I'm given an essay to write on a subject that doesn't totally interest me, or I have to learn some songs on guitar that I didn't choose for a gig I don't really want to play (ie. performance exam) then I'll leave it all right until the very last minute. This ends up with me being extremely stressed and ripping my hair out, which I hate. I always manage to get the things done, and I get good (not excellent, just good) grades, but I know this could be drastically improved if I started stuff earlier.

Now I know there probably isn't one person on the face of the earth who isn't more motivated to do things they enjoy than things they dislike... but some people seem to be able to start dull and boring essays very early, power through them with lots of energy and get them done quickly, days before the deadline. I've tried doing this, but it just never happens. If I don't have that pressure on me to do it, then I just can't start it.

So I was wondering: Are there any books or methods that you know of that will help me change my mindset with regards to doing tasks I don't enjoy? Before anyone tells me I'm just lazy and I should get off my ass - I know I should. That's why I'm posting this!