To think no one procrastinates as much as me

[Mumtumwhatever]

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!

I advise people to break down a difficult and unwanted task into lots of tiny micro-steps. Really stupidly small ones. eg, 1. turn on computer 2. Start up microsoft word. etc. Then the horrible unwanted task seems less overwhelming. You can gain a sense of achievement by at least doing some of the steps.

No strategies to overcome it. I think it would feel strange if I actually woke one day and there was nothing at the back of my mind that needed doing. There's always something, isn't there?

I'm not a perfectionist. I'm probably a little lazy. I'm getting slightly better as I get older I think, divorcing and feeling more in control generally has helped.

WHAT DO WE WANT?

PROCRASTINATION!

WHEN DO WE WANT IT?

MEH! NEXT WEEK?

(I don't procrastinate, honestly, I just work better under tight deadlines )

I can't be bothered to make lists.
My big problem is that DH is an even bigger procrastinator than me. We have both been off this week and got nothing do.

I also put off going to bed even if I promised myself an early night. There's always something else to do or read that's more interesting, then I end up so tired that going upstairs and the bedtime routine seems like too much - so I put it off!!

Please tell me someone else does that!

I am a procrastinator extraordinaire!

At least you're doing your work.

I completed an nvq 4 but never got round to getting it verified.
I did an access to he course and missed getting the diploma by two credits. All that work! For certificates! Seriously OP I can make you feel so much better about yourself.
I'm sure it's a form of self harm.

I once ended up paying a bailiff for council tax, because I never got round to paying it. I had the money to pay and knew I shou pay it. But I kept putting it off!

I'm a serious fuck up.

Yes Foxy, I do that.

Procrasturbate!!

Foxy, that's why I'm here ... now ...

I have a pair of cowboy boots I bought in New Jersey in 1989. I wore them a few times but they were so tight my boyfriend had to pull them off my feet. I haven't worn them since then. Have I got rid of them? No I haven't! Why? I have no idea...

Me too!! I totally put off going to bed. There is a huge psychology behind it-will try to find the link. I have now stopped getting stressed when I procrastinate, and realise the shit that needs doing will get done, because it always has in the past. Random house and tidying shit that never gets done-it never gets done because it is low on my list of priorities, even though I 'know' it 'needs' doing. Shit I care about gets done (hugging squishy Dcs at any opportunity for example).

Oh yes, the clothes and shoes and textbooks from years ago. None of them any use. I keep meaning to learn how to Ebay.

I'm glad I'm not alone. I've no real advice OP but I hope you find comfort in the fact there are others who are similar to you

Foxy... I told DH I was going to have an early night at 10.30. He is now up in bed and I am here...

m.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-29570615

I feel that I'm in my spiritual home.

I'd love to change. I've tried the pomodoro method and breaking chores down. Neither made any difference.
Am I just lazy?
I want to do things but I am paralysed. Yet if I am with other lethargic folk, I feel invigorated. Anyone have any ideas?

I think I once read that putting off going to bed means that you don't want the next day to come, putting off the future.

Or I may have just made that up

I am procrastinating going to sleep right now

On the bright side, we're at the cutting edge of production & delivery management.

If anybody really wants to change (meh, I keep putting it off), try the monkey theory.

I used to get one of these every bloody Christmas, until I made my views clear ... should have done it after the first one, but you know ...

I solved my problem! I'm a procrastinator and proud

Haggis good link - the wormhole!!

Sometimes I feel like I have read the whole internet!

There were some good points - apparently procrastinators have self confidence

Yes Gallic I like that procrastination can be thought of as a strategy.

In fact, come to think of it, I'm sure by putting things off I've saved myself a few unnecessary jobs.

Just read it too,Haggis - I'm going to bed in a minute, obvs.

I decided just to take the positives from it, and leave the rest for ... ... ... later. Perhaps ...

OMG, Foxy, that's so true! There's some theory that 40% (ish) of things sort themselves out if you do nothing. Only procrastinators benefit from this :)

I can relate to so much on this thread.

I think my procrastination has spilt into my friendships too, so someone can phone/text me and it'll day a day or two
week to get back but it's because I'm busy doing nothing.

Owning this thread. Only just got to bed exactly because I don't want it to be tomorrow ...

Eldest is a terrible procrastinator too, we'll all the kids are a bit. That's definitely due to perfectionism. Me not so much, I am a but rubbish and don't want people to know!