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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think no one procrastinates as much as me

113 replies

Mumtumwhatever · 21/02/2015 21:38

I have a serious problem. I put things off until I jeopardise deadlines (but never actually miss them), work projects, personal to dos, taxes etc and I stress out about them, nightmare about them and then when I do them I realise they were either easy and I should have done them earlier and saved the stress or I should have started them earlier because they will take forever and I have to pull 3 all nighters to finish them. Why don't I just get on with it instead of distracting myself with mumsnet, DM Online, emails and Facebook??? I know what I need to do but I just don't. I'm watching Take Me Out now (I'm bloody 40 years old!) and I should be starting a work project. I honestly need help!

OP posts:
Nothavingfunrightnow · 21/02/2015 21:39

I'll think about it and let you know tomorrow.

Original poster
Mumtumwhatever · 21/02/2015 21:54

Touché! ;)

OP posts:
LuisSuarezTeeth · 21/02/2015 21:56

YABU, I've got to check my emails and then I'll tell you why.

paulapantsdown · 21/02/2015 22:09

I'll just finish watching this programme and I'll be back to you.

MrsGoslingWannabe · 21/02/2015 22:22

Hahaha! I don't know why you for it but I'm the same. Would having a plan for work projects help? Lots of mini-deadlines so you realise earlier on just how much you need to do? Plan to make a plan!

MrsGoslingWannabe · 21/02/2015 22:24

*do not for

Charley50 · 21/02/2015 22:26

It took my 25 years to learn to drive; then another 2 to buy a car. Still not married or bought a property; although I am a mum, as it's quite easy to procrastinate and make a baby simultaneously.

MajesticWhine · 21/02/2015 22:30

Yes, I do this too. Several £s of therapy later and I'm still doing it (only partly joking). The short term gain of not doing the work is beating the long term gain of starting earlier.

DrFoxtrot · 21/02/2015 22:31

YABU I'm fairly sure nobody procrastinates as much as me Smile. I've realised I need the stress of an impending deadline to give me the motivation to do something. I try to work with it as best I can and rationalise that this is just the way I am.

TheHobbit · 21/02/2015 22:33

My procrastination is so severe my father said that I'd never die as I will keep putting it off Sad I jeopardise everything because of it

ArmyDad · 21/02/2015 22:33

I procrasturbate. Wanking to put off work

DrFoxtrot · 21/02/2015 22:33

It's taken me three years to get a pedestal fitted under my bathroom sink, and that's only because I had to call a plumber as there was a radiator leaking.

justmyview · 21/02/2015 22:34

I feel your pain. I jump from one task to the other, instead of completing one and moving on to the next. Any ideas why that might be? I know it would be better to complete one task & move on to the next, but somehow I just don't work that way

ConferencePear · 21/02/2015 22:35

I remember some years ago someone trying to set up an organisation "Procrastinators Anonymous". No-one ever got round to joining it.

justmyview · 21/02/2015 22:35

We have lived with bare plaster for 4 years in our house ..........

DrFoxtrot · 21/02/2015 22:38

I once did that Myers Briggs personality test and it was accurate. It made me see that the way I am is just that and trying to find ways to be more regimented and organised was unnatural for me.

I'm the same justmyview

DrFoxtrot · 21/02/2015 22:39

I can't even bear to think of the things that need doing in my house Blush

mineofuselessinformation · 21/02/2015 22:40

I have to say I'm with you - I'm not a great one for 'grasping the nettle'. But then I have a sudden burst of energy and get loads done.... This is usually assisted by a list!
Write one, and put it where you can't ignore it, but only write urgent things or it will be as long as your arm IME.

Hassled · 21/02/2015 22:44

I painted the kitchen ceiling recently rather than sort out DH's tax return. Which was a piece of piss, it turned out. This was after many sleepless nights fretting about the fact the tax return wasn't sorted.

Charley50 · 21/02/2015 22:45

Grin conference pear
In the time it's taken me to put a shelf up, friends have added an entire new floor to their house.

CremeEggThief · 21/02/2015 23:10

Ha! I spent 6 years thinking about going back to Mass, when I lived in a different city. Moved away without ever managing it there!

Brandnewattitude · 21/02/2015 23:18

I am exactly the same. I have achieved precisely nothing today. I put things off and I also do that little bit of everything thing and even though I am aware I am doing it, I carry on anyway and never finish anything.

Is it just laziness?

ClockwiseCat · 21/02/2015 23:19

Perfectionism is often at the root of procrastination. Couple that with a low boredom threshold and you're doomed voice of bitter experience

CheeseBored · 21/02/2015 23:26

So anybody got any strategies? I use the pomodoro technique a bit- set timer for 45 mins, work solidly, break for 15. Also lists help, and the satisfaction of crossing things off.

squoosh · 21/02/2015 23:27

I bookmarked an article called Why Procrastinators Procrastinate over a year ago, still haven't read it. I'm beginning to realise that becoming a person who lives by daily to do lists is my only hope.