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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask how to stop procrastinating!

58 replies

Sadit · 31/07/2015 11:19

I seem to spend my time doing this.
There is washing to be put out, housework and ironing to do, kids to entertain and all I do is sit on mumsnet!
I can never be focused and get on with my jobs so my work is done. I have tried limiting my internet time but that doesn't work! I have no will power. HELP ME!

OP posts:
kaftanlady · 31/07/2015 11:20

No idea. I am meant to be packing for a month away. Am mumsnetting with you about procrastination instead!

littlegreen66 · 31/07/2015 11:21

Log off. Now!! Set a good example to me! SmileBlush

StarlingMurmuration · 31/07/2015 11:22

I'll tell you how to stop procrastinating tomorrow,

kaftanlady · 31/07/2015 11:22

This is great on procrastination

why procrastinators procrastinste

ghostyslovesheep · 31/07/2015 11:23

I'm supposed to be packing up the house

I will get on with it ...soon

after I just check one more thread and go and look in the rooms trying to decide what to pack next ...

goshdarnit · 31/07/2015 11:23

I'll tell you when i can be bothered to get round to it... Grin

I am a dreadful procrastinator, I am currently sitting on the sofa surrounded by crap that I know I need to sort out, but actually doing it seems like an impossible task, ffs.
I think lists and 15 minute timers are what works best for me.
[kick me up the arse and make me do something emoticon]

FunkyPeacock · 31/07/2015 11:23

Marking my place
I would love to know!

kaftanlady · 31/07/2015 11:30

Funky the instant gratification monkey knows the answer!

Mumsnet is in "the dark playground"!

kaftanlady · 31/07/2015 11:31

OK i'm going to go pack. Wish me luck!

If you see me back in mumsnet please tell me to bog off and go do my packing!

Original poster
Sadit · 31/07/2015 11:31

It's not just mumsnet.
I piss fart around, dawdle....I just can't get focused. I am always logged on to things like mumsnet, facebook, Instagram, Pinterest on my iPhone so i just pick my phone up and open the app. If I log out i forget my password and take ages trying to find them or setting up new ones.

OP posts:
Original poster
Sadit · 31/07/2015 11:35

Kaftan lady that's really good!

OP posts:
DayLillie · 31/07/2015 11:41

I was going to have a shower, then I thought I had better have breakfast, then I thought I would look up 'the armed man' that I heard on desert island discs, then checked e-mail etc, etc, etc and then saw this and read about the procrastination monkey (good!).

I am off for my shower, then I can start my day Hmm

Original poster
Sadit · 31/07/2015 11:43

I'm still here

OP posts:
Original poster
Sadit · 31/07/2015 11:44

Been on fbook. Whatsapped a few people. Pinterested marie kondo.

OP posts:
DayLillie · 31/07/2015 11:45

I'm still here

So am I - I just thought I would check 'Im On' before I logged off Blush

Duckdeamon · 31/07/2015 11:45

The things you listed are all dull domestic work apart from playing with the DC which when they're small can also be dull at times. Any chance your partner will do those things and you can do something you enjoy more?

Original poster
Sadit · 31/07/2015 12:03

I wish duckdeamon!
Out of the house all day every day, he's lucky to get home to bath kids!

OP posts:
Featherbluedot · 31/07/2015 12:11

I like to look at it more as charging my batteries Wink

Featherbluedot · 31/07/2015 12:12

DC are away, I'm not at work, could be doing so many things yet here I am still in my dressing gown, watching TV whilst in MN. Joy Smile

TheSilveryPussycat · 31/07/2015 12:26

Put the washing out. Then at least it's drying while you post here do your work.

Then focus on getting kids settled into doing something needing minimal supervision.

Then start on something from your housework list.

I have wrestled with procrastination all my life (am now old gimmer), I have to keep varying my strategies for outwitting myself. Now I'm on my own, I find having 3 different tasks going in parallel can work quite well, I start one, get bored, then move to another one and so on. This works because after the first task switch, I'm always somehow doing a displacement activity.

My mind is wiley and strange.

debbriana · 31/07/2015 12:27

This may help if you are watching tv.. Every time the break comes on run and do something very quickly then come back. Once what your watching is finish switch it off and put the gadgets down.

Do it quickly so you can go back to catch up with what you have missed online and tv

DevonLass70 · 31/07/2015 12:32

The procrastinator link and the one on the site about late people scarily describes my life! Getting ready to leave the house for an appointment tends to go like this.

Right, I need to leave the house at 11am to catch the bus that will get me there on time. 10.40 - reads mumsnet, plays various games on computer. 10.50 - you've got ten minutes to get ready and leave. Couple more minutes to carry on reading! 10.55 get OFF the computer, you HAVE to go! Angry 10.59 - I need the loo. Throws on coat, put shoes on, leave house walk to bus stop, in time to see it sailing past. Ends up with 25 minute walk hoping to get there on time. I try so hard, but it never seems to quite happen. Blush

MokunMokun · 31/07/2015 12:37

Watch an episode of Hoarders: Buried Alive on YouTube. Even though I'm not a hoarder and my house is nowhere that bad, it just terrifies me into doing something productive.

TheSilveryPussycat · 31/07/2015 12:41

Devon I do that sort of thing - but I usually get away with it. It's like I have an inner computer that gives me the minimum possible time to get out. I wonder if your inner computer is doing the same, only it has factored in running for the bus?

(years ago when young and fit I could see the bus coming in the far distance from my bedroom, fling on clothes and insert contact lenses, run like fuck and catch that very same bus)

WhereDidTheYearsGo · 31/07/2015 12:43

It's because it all seems so daunting. Set the timer for 15 minutes and do something useful for 15 minutes. No one can not manage 15 minutes!