Procrastination is ruining my work life, aside from ‘just do it’, how can I turn things around before I ruin my reputation?

[GeorgieTheGorgeousGoat]

I’m self employed, a childminder. Obviously the day to day life of looking after the children is getting done and is fine but I’m behind on every single aspect of paperwork. I’m expecting ofsted soon and you’d think that would be enough to kick me up the backside but it isn’t. I waste whole days and evenings.

I’ve been receiving treatment for anxiety and I don’t doubt that these things are linked but I have to get my arse in to gear before I don’t have a job to catch up on at all.

Please help.

When I get like this I start really small - today I will do minimum of one thing x (to absolute max of 3 things). After day 3 then at least one of my things has to be 'eating a frog' I. E. Something I have been dreading. It has never (yet) been as bad eating through frog as I imagined it would be.

It is Sunday aftwrnoon. So make a cup of tea and get a notepad out.

Write down a list of things that need to be done and when they need doing by.

Number them in terms of the most important first. Then put time aside and do them. One per evening and a couple on each weekend day.

I'd say as it is mid January, tax returns are due in soon so what do you need to do in order to complete your tax return?

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

This really helped me understand why I procrastinate and what steps to take to deal with it. Not a magical cure by any means, but it definitely helped me.

Oh thank you for not just telling me to pull myself together.

I have written a list but it’s massive. Some of the jobs are big projects so I’ve tried to break it down in to smaller jobs and it’s pages and pages long. So overwhelming.

I actually did my tax return on Friday so at least that’s down but see how late I left it? . I just need to pay the bill now. And contact tax credits to give my final income for the year.

I’m going to make a cup of tea.

Take a highlighter to the first page of your list and highlight the ones that need doing within the next week. Don't look at the other pages. Do the highlighted things, one or two of them today.

Off you go!

Maybe it would help to do an hour paperwork each day after the last child goes home? Fix it as working time so you carry on working and then know you can switch off for the night afterwards.

I’ve written a plan for the next two weeks to do one thing or two small things each evening or weekend day.

Ideally evenings would be time for my own family. I don’t finish until 6 and then usually straight in to dinner and homework etc.

I gave up working Fridays so I could get things done and have a day to myself but I do the latter and never the former. That has to change.

My head’s a mess but I’m hoping the fog will start to lift as my to do list gets shorter. It’s never ending though isn’t it?

Can you get somebody to stand over you and help you get started? I write most of my papers and work admin with DH sitting looking over my shoulder for the first half hour - once I get going I can carry on, it is just the getting started that is hard.

And I’m a forty year old professional, who really ought to be able to make herself do her (actual, paid) work by now! So being a bit behind on your paperwork doesn’t sound all that bad to me. You’ll get on top of it in an evening or two. Then yes, set aside one evening a week/month/however much time you need to keep on top of it. And put it in your diary.

And I find a big blitz is easier than a little every day. The guilt is a big motivator! YMMV, obviously.

That’s the problem, an evening or two won’t fix it unfortunately. I’m months behind and constantly playing catch up.

What’s YMMV?

YMMV = your mileage may vary = what works for me might not work for you

Thank you! I don’t think it helps that I’m not great at sitting at a desk for long period of time. I could never have a desk job so I never get ‘lost in my work’ and get lots done without noticing. Every minute is painful!

You can put a line in the sand now, today. Start each childs paperwork anew tommorow. Do a starting points for each if them and then add on once a month how theyve progressed. Mrs Ofsted will completely understand and you are allowed to do this. If questioned by her explain thst you got behind, youve learnt from that to diary in your paperwork once a month and have learnt from your mistake. Itll be fine, I promise. Most parents just want their children to be happy with you abd fir them to be well cared for. Most dont give a jot about Mrs O's desire for all singing and dancing learning journals. When youve got time make a lovely photo album with all the photos youve got so far for each child, my parents love them.
Deep breath, this is just a blip.

You’re right, I can’t remember the last time a parent asked me my grade, most of my work comes from current parents recommendations so they must be happy.

I have relaxed a bit now, got a bit of printing done and ordered some photos and some printer ink in case I run out just as I get started!

That lovely fresh start in the morning will set you free. And just a point but i do minimal paperwork, no more than once a month, 10 mins each child and i always keep my good from OFSTED. I love my job with the children and we have such fun together. I refuse to have it spoilt by paperwork. I urge you to do the same.

I give myself 30 mins where I have to focus on the thing that's intimidating me. no checking phone or making a cuppa, remembering something else that's urgent and doing that instead etc. just doing it like it's an exam and whatever little progress I make in 30 mins is fine. more than none.