Have you used Sensa to stop procrastinating?

October 12, 2022 3:51 PM

The Sensa app promises a plan to help you stop procrastinating. Have you used it? Did it help?

PS, I am writing this question instead of studying French, washing the floor, meal prepping, or going to workout.

posted by jacquilynne to Technology (5 answers total)

I have not used it. It's "based on the principles of CBT"; one thing to consider is whether CBT is appropriate for your situation. Procrastination due to anxiety and depression tend to respond well to CBT; procrastination due to ADHD or autism, not as much (they can--but overall it's less likely to be effective). You may not know what's causing your procrastination. If you don't, I would spend time researching various causes of procrastination and see what resonates with you. There's a difference between "I can't start this because it makes me feel anxious and overwhelmed" and "I can't start this because I have no interest in doing anything" and "I can't start this because I'm forgetful and distractable" and "I can't start this because I don't know where to start." CBT tends to be good for the first two, and hit-or-miss with the second two (though with a good therapist it can still be successful--but I would not expect this from an unindividualized online treatment program).
posted by brook horse at 7:16 PM on October 12, 2022 [3 favorites]

Just wanted to give a short plug for Focusmate.com. I’ve been using it for a few days and it’s awesome.

You work in parallel to somebody else that you see via webcam. Mikes are usually off and you have a short chat in the beginning, and in the end to discuss goals and outcomes.
posted by mathiu at 11:45 PM on October 12, 2022

Response by poster: My employer would disallow that like 912%
posted by jacquilynne at 6:13 AM on October 13, 2022 [2 favorites]

I could have written your postscript. I have never used the Sensa app but what really works for me is filling out David Burns' anti-procrastination sheet every time I feel the urge to procrastinate. Also his book Feeling Good is awesome. Just focus on the chapters, "Do-Nothingism" and "Dare to Be Average: Ways to Overcome Perfectionism".
posted by bigyellowtaxi at 9:36 AM on October 13, 2022 [2 favorites]

I am following this question with extreme interest, since I have been getting near-constant FB ads for this app but had not yet gotten around to finding out more...
posted by rpfields at 8:45 PM on October 13, 2022