How do you stop procrastinating, become motivated, organised etc?

[Luckynumberthree]

I have lots of plans, things I want to do. I want to sort out the house, get healthier, find a new career but day in day out I'm just overwhelmed, drowning in getting the basics done. It feels like I struggle through the day and am too exhausted to do any of the stuff I intend to that would actually make a difference. I have zero motivation, everything just seems too much and pointless.

If there is something coming up, even if I have weeks notice guaranteed I realise the night before or on the day that I'm totally disorganised. I never learn from it though.
Is anyone else like this or used to be but changed.

I don't think I'm depressed but am getting some treatment for mh. (anxiety mainly). I don't have a hard life compared to many but this just makes me feel guiltier for not managing better. I feel foggy most of the time, struggle to articulate myself well. I'm also irritable, snappy and a bit teary at times. Turned into a ramble now...

Speaking of avoidant...

I have just completed a task I really didn't want to do and that I would desperately love to put off....

Contacting people I haven't seen in years to ask for a job reference. I have completely convinced myself that they'll think "wtf is she asking me??? I thought she was terrible and I hate her!!!"
Which rationally is probably unlikely. I was not perfect in my last job, and am very self critical but I wasn't that bad. I wasn't fired or anything. There's a part of me that thinks "just stay unemployed for ever to avoid asking for a reference" but I both need and want a job....

I decided last night that today would be the day I did it, and could barely sleep last night with anxiety over it (ridiculous).

Anyway, I have swallowed the frog and done it. Whatever happens next at least I did it.

Well done Squishy Those phone calls are just the sort of thing I would put off for the same reasons. Your post also reminded me that I need to phone the dentist and ask them if my next appointment can be with the nice dentist I saw this week instead of the horrible one I usually see.
So far today I have emptied the dishwasher, cleaned out the cat litter, cleaned up cat sick from the carpet, sent an important email. I was going to get yesterday's washing in as it has been rained on several times now and more rain is forecast, but I got distracted looking for my shoes. Need to do it soon because CBeebies wil announce it is lunch time in a minute and DD will start harrassing me for more food but will at least stop asking how long until lunch time.

Good tip about the timer - like an enforced deadline...I'll try it now (and yay! I know where the timer is!)

Loads to think about here, thanks for replies. The ADHD is something I've had a look at. It's wierd because I think some of it is me to an absolute t (disorganised, not good at seeing things through, poor time keeping) but some things definitely not ( I have quite good concentration for reading and puzzles, not really a fidgeter, definitely not a risk taker). I don't really match the childhood stuff as did ok at school without any major issues though losing stuff and being messy was true.

Setting a few goals a day seems to work a bit.

This has been me since Primary School. I really need to write out my tasks to keep me focused. Everything is broken down into small, achievable tasks and they get ticked off as I go along. The best thing about this is you can look back and really see your achievements written down which helps keep up motivation on those days where it all seems too much.

I started bullet journaling. I have yet to actually write anything in the bullet journal but I’m having fun reading the Facebook group.

I find setting myself three tasks per day helps a lot. It’s just easier to focus on three things and easier to get motivated to do them rather than a never-ending list.

Has anyone posted about the panic monkey yet?

waitbutwhy.com/2013/10/why-procrastinators-procrastinate.html

I also laughed so hard at his TED talk

www.ted.com/talks/tim_urban_inside_the_mind_of_a_master_procrastinator/up-next

Following!

I have ADHD. I am not fidgety. There are three types of ADHD, hyperactive, mixed and inattentive. I'm borderline between mixed and inattentive. Inattentive ADHD people are daydreamers. Everyone with ADHD will have periods of hyperfocus, you are able to focus on things that interest you or give you hits of adredaline - so computer games or generally titting about on the internet for hours are classic ADHD behaviour. I had to delete solitaire from my computer at uni as I would spend literally hours on it at a time.

I did OK at school, but I always felt I underachieved - I can appear really bright but my academic achievements are generally so so. Getting stuff down on paper and meeting deadlines is a huge weakness. My psyc said that I've coped for so long because I'm fairly clever, I was able to get to uni, and now I have post graduate qualifications that mean I can work part time but earn a half decent wage. I did get to a management position working 4 days a week but I burnt out after a year and had to resign and take a step down.

As pp mentioned to do lists are good. I always put as little as possible on the to do list, so I could manage even on my worst days. If i put too much on and don't manage I'd beat myself up and the guilt makes it difficult to even shower and not feel disgustingly sorry for myself 😐

I clicked on this thread for some tips and it feels like I am reading my own posts.

OP the biggest thing that stands out to me is that you have way too high expectations of yourself. Stay away from magazine and social media.

I am trying to improve everything in my life. I am going to make one change a week. Week 1 is start couch to 5k. Week 2 - get on top of laundary. Week 3 - start drinking more water.

I second using a timer, it's incredible how much you can get done in 15 minutes.

It can also give you a realistic sense of how long jobs actually take. Since timing them (or trying to do them up against a timer) I've realised that some take a lot less and some a lot more time than I thought.

Lastly what I like about the timer is it totally does away with the idea of finishing tasks. Most things like housework or decluttering or personal admin are never totally finished and I no longer aim to do so. I decide how long I am willing to spend on something. It puts me in control of the task. The task does not control me.

Timely article on the BBC
www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-45295392

That’s really interesting bionic. I’ve been doing some guided meditation, but must admit that I don’t do it every day. I must try harder (and stop procrastinating about it!)

Hands up! And I'm definitely going to check out the ADHD links.
I'm much better with a list to tick off so have exercised for the first time in months and got rid of load of old letters that were on the bedroom floor (mid kondo clearout!).

@JiltedJohnsJulie - heh heh, I started that ADHD vid, but I couldn't even be bothered to watch it to the end!

That’s really good namastay, love the username by the way

Tea that’s not a good sign. You know that don’t you? . I think you may just have to join us on the ADHD thread I started

I've been down bc a big of Reading and a fair bit of the ADHD stuff resonates.... it's also nice to know that I'm not alone.

Jilted, fab user name, I love that song!
I'm going to look at the ADHD thread, I've never thought about it before.
I've got surgery coming up soon and then I'm going to start looking for a part time job so I seriously want to sort my house out while I've got time.
Sometimes I feel like I'm hovering instead of living (hope that makes sense!).
And another common theme with me, I want to clean my kitchen, but I can't because I'm going away today. And when I get back the motivation will be gone