I have recently come to realise how hard I find it to complete actions or take action on ideas and would love to know if this rings any bells with any of you. For background, I am late thirties, married with children, and have run my own business for years. So I am generally competent, busy etc.
Here's my problem: a while ago I spent quite a while researching something to purchase. Not an easy decision, pricing and quality varies wildly etc. I found the best company, pleased with my decision, a page of notes to show for my research..... and yet a month later I still have not purchased said item. No reason other than requiring a bit of time to sort it out. I do this sort of thing a lot - I seem to excel at the research stage but never seem to actually finish the job I start.
Similarly, for my business there is a job I need to do, which although new and challenging, I have done enough training in my free time to know full well what needs doing, and frankly am fairly confident I'll do it well. I have been meaning to do this thing for a couple of years now!! And it's an important thing of direct benefit to the business. So why the hell can't I just DO it??!!
Or, for example, I really need to get into doing regular excercise. I am generally pretty fit & active.... but we all know I need the regular cardio etc. So I tell myself I just need to find ONE thing I like and just do it 3 times a week, no biggie. And I know I would genuinely enjoy doing it - I can think of a few sports I'd like to do. So why the ... hell can't I just do it? I find out about classes and times at different venues near me, make a note, think about it, plan on it...... and then never go. My phone and computer are full of tabs open of things I mean to do, buy, see, read..... I wish I could just either do it or delete it.
I remember at uni feeling so excited about all the new clubs and sports I could join, and wanting to try all sorts and yet, you guessed it, I did the sum total of bugger all. Maybe the odd class here and there but never stuck to anything.
I'm starting to feel like maybe there is some sort of therapy that could help me. I feel slightly embarrassed about starting this pity party.... but I think I need help. Anyone else out there had any experience with this?
AIBU?
AIBU to think maybe I have some sort of disorder?
anyideasonthis · 18/06/2018 22:22
ADHD could be a reason but also finishing things and self-discipline and being able to have a sense of self-satisfaction are skills that needs to be practiced from shildhood, as june says with her Gran making sure they saw things through and got into good habits.
Anxiety does present as lack of attention and concentration, a whirl of thoughts and fears, perhaps similar to ADHD, but there are things that can help and practicing and honing good habits creates self-confidence and a momentum. A voice that says YES YOU CAN! rather than doubts and distracts..
I would look at whether you can do things for other people more succcessfully and easily than you can do things for yourself. If you only really struggle with things that are for you, or where you are the agent/ decision maker/ beneficiary then I would sugest that it is anxiety and self-confidence is probably at the heart of it rather than something like ADHD. I am not a doctor though.
Lots can be done to help anxiety and confidence though. My DH was badly affected but is doing well now and gets much more satisfaction from setting his own standards for things he can control eg how much he practises an instrument and values enjoyment over performance, and not worrying what other people may think), and is happier with achieving a plenty good enough standard for other things, rather than being scared of having to live up to being the best.
My illness put paid to all my perfectionist tendencies a long time ago so I have learned to live with variable abilities and just say to myself, do what you can do. Sometimes that is a lot, sometimes it is a little or not nearly enough which can make me anxious but I try to control it. And that that doing your best does not mean going into the red all the time, effort and achievement has to be sustainable, so we need to save something back for the really serious times and just to stay well.
Hope you find some more peace in your busy life OP as well as some action!! 
If I started watching YouTube videos on procrastination I'd be there all day 
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