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Original poster

Procrastinators who have a handle on things..

29 replies

ZetaPuppis · 06/10/2020 19:49

Please tell me what you do to achieve things that don’t have a deadline.
Like most procrastinators, I’m really good at going at full pelt and getting whatever needs to get done work wise or at home when there’s some kind of deadline but I can’t seem to achieve much when there’s no deadline?
Things like reading, losing weight, exercise, doing deep cleaning tasks, doing extra work that will help me to do better or earn more but I don’t have to do it are some examples.
Giving myself a deadline doesn’t work as I just move it.
Any tips please?

OP posts:

smileannie · 06/10/2020 21:35

Maybe promise yourself a small treat eg watch favourtie programmer with a cuppa, when you’ve completed a task.

Original poster

ZetaPuppis · 07/10/2020 07:38

Thanks for the idea and that does work sometimes but not always.

OP posts:

MrsShelton · 07/10/2020 08:00

I’m the same, need to work towards something!

I want to get back into running but there’s no races to sign up for! Virtual races and racing goals for myself just aren’t the same as the excitement of a start line full of other runners!

Sleepingdogs12 · 07/10/2020 08:00

I am a procrastinstor. I have decided it is about motivation and how much I really want to do something. At the moment I want to put new plants in pots for the winter but can't get myself to do it. It is too wet , too cold, not enough time , I can do it tomorrow etc . I annoy myself but I know if someone was visiting tomorrow they would be done. So it is finding the motivation and making my own deadlines , I have to tell myself to just get on with it in the end. Sorry not very helpful.

Glitterkitten24 · 07/10/2020 08:03

The Porodormo Technique.
If I know I have to clean the whole kitchen in 25 minutes I work fast and don’t fritter about on my phone/ getting distracted.

It doesn’t work for weight loss, but is great for getting practical stuff done.

Tappering · 07/10/2020 08:05

Making daily lists.

I need a bit of pressure to stop me from procrastinating, but not so much that it tips over into stress.

I find that writing everything down for the week in one big list, and then breaking it down each day in to a day's list, is helpful. I still put the odd thing off, but I get most stuff done and it's helping me be more disciplined about knuckling down, because it becomes a habit.

Krook · 07/10/2020 08:06

The best way I find to get housework done is to invite a friend round for a coffee. Maybe not so helpful at the moment but I suddenly see things through their eyes and whizz round like a maniac getting things done in about an hour that would usually take a week
Work stuff is trickier, I also have to have a deadline to get stuff done but self-imposed doesn't really work either as I just move it. I wish I knew what the answer is, I drive myself up-the-wall. Will be following this thread with interest!

ElizabethinherGermanGarden · 07/10/2020 08:06

I find that deep cleaning etc gets done easily when there's something else I should be doing that I don't want to do! No idea about losing weight though, sadly. Is that a to-do list item?

OLittleTownofBethlehem · 07/10/2020 08:08

I have a real problem with this and also recommend the pomodoro technique for work. We should start some sort of procrastinators accountability group to get things done.

Itwasaquarterpast11 · 07/10/2020 08:12

The only way I found I could lose weight was through a group, as I needed the accountability of showing someone my food consumption for the week. Exercise - c25k was quite motivating.
In terms of cleaning, I bribe myself and challenge myself. 30 mins to clean the whatever and not a minute more then I can have x.
Getting myself to do things is like trying to reason with my inner toddler and at my age I am both resigned and fucked off that this is still the case.

Sleepingdogs12 · 07/10/2020 08:52

Interesting what Tappering says about not tipping over into stress. I think there is an anxiety element about this. People often tell me I am laid back but really I avoid lots of things that might cause me stress and just go with the flow to avoid this I think.

Takeittotheboss · 07/10/2020 10:28

Don't know the answer OP, but your post is me exactly so if you find it, please let me know! All your examples ring so true for me.
It annoys me I'm like this, but the annoyance never gets me very far and even if projects get started I just grind to a halt part way through and give up. So a lethal combination of procrastination and lack of self-discipline?

Original poster

ZetaPuppis · 07/10/2020 10:28

@Sleepingdogs12 that’s very insightful and is exactly what I do. But on the other hand, I think I need to feel the stress to get things done?
I don’t know why I do it but I really annoy myself and the time I waste when I could be getting things done.

Cleaning is ok. I often put a playlist on and challenge myself to clean before 5 songs are played or something. I can’t live in a totally messy house so that gets done.

I’m going to try the pomodoro technique and see how much I get done. Today will be quite productive as I have a meeting at 5.30 and I know I’ll get everything done by then but this isn’t usual.

I’d love an accountability group

OP posts:

GreyishDays · 07/10/2020 10:30

I find I’m better if I just do something (heather than nothing). So I tell myself I’ll just do a small job, then I usually am happy to then do a bigger one or two.

BogRollBOGOF · 07/10/2020 10:40

@MrsShelton

I’m the same, need to work towards something!

I want to get back into running but there’s no races to sign up for! Virtual races and racing goals for myself just aren’t the same as the excitement of a start line full of other runners!

There are some races coming back, more small scale, trail races that are naturally quieter anyway. I did one last month, have another in a couple of weeks and one still in the pipeline for next month.

Nice Work have some on around the country. It is a bit word of mouth, but there are some out there.

I definitely need external goals to function. I just don't believe myself when I try to impose it on myself!

Krook · 07/10/2020 10:49

I have just spent 20 minutes reading about the Pomodoro technique rather than doing the work I should be doing. I think I'm past help

Original poster

ZetaPuppis · 07/10/2020 11:08

@Krook this is what we procrastinators do. I think procrastinators are usually quite bright and very informed because we spend so much time ‘researching’ stuff.
I’ve just been watching this in the hope that it’ll help me but all it’s dine is validate me and made me think yay I’m not alone and I have fab company. Not quite what I wanted

OP posts:

redvest · 07/10/2020 11:20

I am exactly the same. Not cracked it yet.

SingToTheSky · 07/10/2020 11:25

I’m trying to get used to just doing what I can when I can. Not thinking about the bigger picture because that overwhelms me. Like decluttering - if it occurs to me I’ll do a bit without trying to do a lot.

Having said that I really wouldn’t say I had a handle on things at all, and I’ve only made that bit of progress since my ADHD was diagnosed/medicated!

Lockdown made things worse again too as all the days rolled into one and feeling worse emotionally with fewer outside deadlines etc really made it hard to get motivated.

Exercise wise though, one thing that does help is having an outside routine imposed - I do two classes a week usually and because everything needs booking it forces me to fit it in at set times (gym and swimming is harder because I could go any time... so I end up not!)

ExerciseBeaver · 07/10/2020 11:41

Focus Mate is good for accountability.

Lists.

Remove distractions e.g. use the Forest App.

Fundamentally, will power. I know that is not what anyone wants to hear but its is helpful. Especially when the negative self talk comes. Know that you have it in you to do what you need to do.

Also sit down and review your processes for doing things. I get very bored but if I am working to a structure that I created then this in itself is a source of interest as I can monitor and judge my own progress and improve the process. It works for a while until I need a new challenge.

LongPauseNoAnswer · 07/10/2020 11:43

I second the Pomodoro technique. I work for myself so nobody shouts at me if I don’t get anything done. It’s a procrastinators nightmare. I have to set mini deadlines for myself otherwise I do nothing.

ExerciseBeaver · 07/10/2020 11:45

Also automate boring things. My weekly food shops are booked a month in advance. All I do is tweak the basket the day before.

Deep cleaning - decide when is the best time of the week and tackle one a week. Decided on a 3 month list of deep cleaning tasks that cover the current season e.g. autumn oct-dec and work through 1 a week at your preferred time. Et voila before you know you can look back at all the jobs you did!

I have basically decided to plan my life in 3 month chunks.

LadyJaye · 07/10/2020 11:47

Completely agree with PPs on the Pomodoro Technique - a game-changer for procrastinors!

I have an app on my phone that times sections (25 mins on, 5 mins break × 4, then you get a big break of 30-60 mins).

It also runs a rather fancy little celebratory animation when I complete a chunk, which I love!

OneFootintheRave · 07/10/2020 11:47

This is me. I'm going to do something positive about it today at least by getting off Mumsnet now and cracking on with my to do list

Krook · 07/10/2020 11:56

@ZetaPuppis Oh yes, that's me I am definitely a reseacher. My kids laugh at me as I have so many tabs open on my laptop it hardly works
Interesting a PP mentioned ADHD. One of my DC is under investigation for Autism/ADHD. I do sometimes wonder about inattentive ADD, I definitely don't have the hyperactive part!

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