Anyone else obsessively need to complete things?

[Pannsies]

I've discovered that I'm a precrastinator - I stumbled across this term a few days ago. It refers to a person 'who has the urge to get everything done in advance. The term was coined by psychologists in 2014 to explain why some people do things sooner than they really need to be done, even if it costs them more time and energy.'

I'm almost obsessive about finishing anything and everything, ticking off to do lists and getting rid of emails from my inbox. I'm the most organised person I know, my house is immaculate and my manager thinks I'm wonderful. It might sound very efficient but I'm not sure it's a good thing.

I've realised that I avoid starting long term projects because I hate having something unfinished for long periods of time. For example, I love painting, but only ever do quick day long paintings, rather than taking my time and doing something really good that takes longer. I'm a complete bodger when it comes to DIY. I'll cut corners to get things done rather than take my time doing it perfectly. It extends to big life choices too. I put off doing things, because I know it'll take a long time to be finished.

Reading this back, maybe I'm just really lazy and impatient...

Anyone else?? How can I change myself?!

You don’t sound lazy at all. Impatient- maybe.

I really wish I could be like you, bodged DIY or not. I am a procrastinator extraordinaire and can’t get round to doing anything until it becomes urgent. I try to trick myself but it never works. I’m pathetic. I’d love to be like you.

I'm somewhere along the spectrum - but not as far as you. I bought a jigsaw puzzle for something to do, but remembered why I hate jigsaws - not being able to complete it in a day unsettled me.

You’d hate my email inbox...

I have 51,111 unread emails in my account atm.

I have a friend like this. Packs for her holidays weeks in advance, as soon as kids finish school in July she's prepared their bags for returning to school. All her Christmas shopping finished by September. I think it's an anxiety thing for her.

Yeah there's probably a bit of anxiety there somewhere. Not sure why though, I'm not an anxious person generally.

51,111 unread emails would make my head explode!

I wish I wasn't like this. I'm very efficient, but can also see how limiting it is.