Completing Tasks without instructions

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Xanzotire
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30 Apr 2013, 9:33 am

Do any of you have any issues with completing tasks without specific instructions and ways to get around this? When I need to do something, I like to be instructed very specifically beforehand on what I need to do so there's no doubt in my mind that if something goes wrong it's not my fault. I can't drive to places I've never been without someone else directing me. I hate having to complete tasks for school and such that leave things up to me to decide and organise because I don't have the ability to organise things by myself. I always have this fear that I won't know what I'm doing and I'll screw things up because 'common sense' stuff doesn't come very naturally to me.

I would be interested to hear if anyone else has this problem and strategies for overcoming it.


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Janissy
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30 Apr 2013, 9:50 am

I also need very specific instructions.

For the car: get a GPS. It gives very specific instructions and will tell you how far until the next turn and will tell you several times when a turn is coming up and which way to go and how many miles. They are the BEST invention.

For everything else: www.wikihow.com
Wikihow is my resource for how to do countless things. It's the first place I check for detailed instructions on whatever.

Just look at some of the things they cover for how to do stuff at school.

Quote:
Concentrate While There Are Background Noises
Create a Study Schedule
Impart STEM Education to Your Children
Make an Educational Word Slider
Absorb What You Read
Ace Your Worst School Subject
Acquire New Skills
Ask Someone to Be Your Study Buddy
Ask for Help
Ask for Help in School
Attain Online Courses from the Comfort of Your Home
Avoid Getting Bored in Music Class
Avoid Plagiarism in Your Thesis Report
Avoid a Mental Block
BS Your Way Through Class and Get a Good Grade
Be Attentive in Class
Be Clever
Be Good at School
Be Happy on School Days
Be More Creative
Be More Successful at Life Starting at a Young Age
Be Organized at Home and School
Be a Genius in Math when You Are in 4th Grade
Be a Good College Student
Be a Good Literature Student
Be a Great Student at School
Be a Peer Tutor
Be a Responsible Digital Citizen
Be a Scholar Student
Be a Smart Student
Be a Successful Corps Member in AmeriCorps
Be a Successful Graduate Assistant
Be an Exchange Student
Beat Senioritis
Become Better Organized
Become Organized Fast



And that's just a bit of the one of the school subsections. It has explicit intructions for EVERYTHING.



Xanzotire
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30 Apr 2013, 10:26 am

Thank you very much for the reply. I often look up instructions on the internet for mechanical tasks I need to do, I'm always nervous about using it's advice for things involving social interactions though. The list mentions an article on how to ask for help though, I think that would benefit me a lot sometimes, usually with things I know I have the ability to do I'm reluctant to ask for help when I need it on the social side of things. I should probably ask my Mum for help on school stuff in the future.


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jk1
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01 May 2013, 4:14 am

I'm like that, too. And I'm sorry I don't think I can give you any solutions to the problem. I'm struggling myself.

One thing that I have become aware of is that I tend to be a perfectionist and have very high expectations whatever I try. Of course I often end up feeling that I failed. Other people don't seem to worry too much about the outcome. They just give things a try. They don't need detailed instructions because they think it's ok if what they have done is not perfect. They do what they can. So, I think it's a lot to do with your attitude. If I can adopt those people's more relaxed attitude, maybe I could try things more easily, making some decisions myself, without having to rely on detailed instructions.



neilson_wheels
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01 May 2013, 4:33 am

jk1 wrote:
One thing that I have become aware of is that I tend to be a perfectionist and have very high expectations whatever I try. Of course I often end up feeling that I failed. Other people don't seem to worry too much about the outcome. They just give things a try. They don't need detailed instructions because they think it's ok if what they have done is not perfect. They do what they can. So, I think it's a lot to do with your attitude. If I can adopt those people's more relaxed attitude, maybe I could try things more easily, making some decisions myself, without having to rely on detailed instructions.


This is very true and does include good advice, trying to achieve perfection is hard work, obviously.

Everyone makes mistakes, it's how people learn. Some make more mistakes than others.

Don't be scared to try new things, don't forget to learn from your mistakes.

Don't attempt things where mistakes may result in harm to others or yourself, otherwise, anything is possible.



Last edited by neilson_wheels on 01 May 2013, 4:52 am, edited 1 time in total.

Biscuitman
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01 May 2013, 4:40 am

I have zero practical skills, absolutely zero.

I would literally struggle to change a fuse because there are no instructions. I need things written out so clearly and in such basic form for me to be able to understand and follow them.

+1 to the GPS nod earlier. I have no sense of direction and get lost in the car all the time, since getting a sat nav my life has become 10 times easier



neilson_wheels
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01 May 2013, 4:49 am

We all have some talents though.

I have practical skills, mechanical and fabrication, that's my spot.

Other things can be a struggle.

Patience and perseverance are needed, and research, as above.



Biscuitman
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01 May 2013, 6:02 am

neilson_wheels wrote:
We all have some talents though.


You haven't met me yet



neilson_wheels
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01 May 2013, 6:04 am

Not nothing at all?

(Did you have the consult?)



Drehmaschine
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01 May 2013, 2:44 pm

Usually I have to have very clear instructions, but some things I can just watch and comprehend.



rapidroy
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02 May 2013, 12:32 am

I use alot of routines to do things becouse once I know them I require no instructions. In meny areas I have the skill for the task however I need the instructions to avoid missing small things and to stop my over analitical brain from getting paranoid about what I am suppost to do, this is made much worse depending on if i'm doing something for me(my own organtic idea) or someone else who I may not share a vision with. Also without clear instructions of whats wanted I can get sidetracked very easy, more so when the task is open ended. GPS are great however I tend to never drive to new places as thats generally a bad idea, better then reading a map as a passenger though.