Procrastination personified What's wrong with me?

[ImaPrimaDonna]

I just feel that I can't kick myself up the backside unless a deadline is looming. A form had to be in today, it was important and might impact my child's choices going foward, so why the heck did I stay up late last night to complete it. Then talk myself into going to bed and finishing it at the crack of dawn. But oh no, obviously there not enough time, so completing form with stuff and loads of photocopies- finishing off in the car to drive over to hand it in. What the heck is wrong with me? I don't enjoy this craziness as I'm now late for work and had to reschedule my meetings. Any ideas anyone.. I can't continue like this-

Sorry but that made me laugh. I am exactly the same.
I have a meeting tomorrow and need to sort a whole load of paperwork. It’s probably going to take me 4-5 hours to sort it.
I wonder when I’m going to start?

Sorry OP I can't help as I am exactly the same too! Been like this ever since my O levels, staying up late to revise. I've got loads to fit in today but have already resigned myself to it not getting done rather than getting off my arse and off the internet and starting! Have you ever seen this TED talk? It's great (and you can waste another 15 mins watching it

www.ted.com/talks/tim_urban_inside_the_mind_of_a_master_procrastinator?language=en

My god I am exactly the same. I am a mature student and trying to get organised for deadlines is a frequent headache. I know what I have to do in advance and I just can’t push myself to get the hell on with it. I have a deadline tomorrow and this time I actually actively had a pep talk with myself and forced myself to get everything done in advance. All work was handed in two days early for this first time in my life. And now I’m so stressed thinking I forgot something or I did something wrong becasue being organised is so alien to me so you can’t win! 🤷‍♀️

I'm the same, I've always been like this. I'm currently on maternity and get the feeling baby will turn up soon. Have I spent the last few weeks getting things ready and finishing off a project I need to get done before baby turns up?

No. I have watched loads of tv, mooched about and done the bare minimum. Now I'm worrying I don't have enough time to get everything finished. Am I now working really hard in case the baby turns up in the next few days? No. I'm sat watching TV having got up late. I haven't even finished packing my hospital bag ffs. Plus it's my mum's birthday in a few days and hubby's birthday next week and I haven't gotten either a present or card yet.

Sorry Op can't help you. I am like this and so is my Mum, and one of my nieces.

Unfortunately much of the world is geared towards trying to hammer us square pegs into round holes and making us feel shit and 'disorganised"

I'm like this. Don't rush me, I'm waiting for the last minute. Don't think I'll change now.

The sooner you fall behind, the more time you have to catch up

When my mum was pregnant with me I was overdue, and she refused to be induced for nearly three weeks until they insisted. Her induction was booked for 9 am. My mum went into labour in the early hours of that morning and I finally turned up at 8.45 am. I have maintained this attitude to life ever since

I move house first week in January.

Downsizing from a large 3 bed to a one bed flat so loads to sort out as well as pack, all whilst still working full time right up until my moving date (including working Christmas).

So of course I'm spending one of my precious days off sitting on the sofa watching movies just staring at the chaos around me that needs sorting!!

can we form a gang of some sort and overthrown all the planners and organisers pleeeeeeese?

OTH I think I can see a flaw in that "plan"

I have multiple learning disabilities and ADHD and autism, all of them contribute to working memory, organisational and functional skills issues and I'm a mature student. I had an assignment due on Wed it was handed in today because I wasn't able to focus or work.

@ILiveInSalemsLot I am very much the same. I list in my head what I need to do then think, thats nice and put the TV on fall into the pit that is the internet, dance, bake or nap.

I read your post earlier, but had a few quick games of Candy Crush before replying. I get easily distracted. I also need a deadline to get on with things. I’ve four cards to send abroad and I still haven’t got round to writing them yet as Christmas feels ages away ...

I've come to the conclusion that some people just work better if they leave most things until the last minute.

I sometimes make lists of things I need to do, but always begin them with two or three things I’ve already done so that I have the pleasure of crossing them off and feeling that I’ve achieved something. Otherwise I find it daunting and start putting everything off.

I have found my people!
I hate it, I am very envious of organised people. Fortunately, (for me) my direct report at work is one of these types so I am somewhat shielded from people realising quite how last minute I am. She knows though...

I find a looming deadline VERY motivating. I suddenly get all sharp and efficient and clear-headed. But I cannot replicate this in the weeks prior to a deadline.

Non-procrastinators say things like 'set yourself false deadlines...' Ha. What a waste of time.

What organised people do is make artificial deadlines. So, for example, Christmas - break it down into what needs to be done each week if Christmas is going to happen the way you want. Then you can procrastinate until Dec 7th over "check whether I need to buy any Christmas cards" and do it in a satisfying last minute rush on Friday evening.

When you do it in a work situation it's called "project planning". But all it really is is putting in artificial deadlines because nobody gets anything done without a looming deadline.

I see Dorris has already said that. Although my presence on MN at this moment demonstrates I'm a champion procrastinator.

Oh that’s a good idea Mere. I’m very much like this and especially at work. We run our own company and I work from home which is lethal.
I should be sat at my desk but I think of soemthing I should do (load the washing machine, make a shopping list, text a friend). Two hours later I’ve done zero amount of work and will now be rushing all day to catch up. So annoying!

I am totally like this. I have all 4. (Adult) children plus one son-in-law coming for Christmas and my. Bedrooms need serious attention. I just can’t seem to start. AAARRRRGGHH!,,,,

I’m the same. Sometimes I think I do like the anxiety inducing stress. Otherwise why the fuck do I do it

I used to be like you lot but a monkey saved me. I will find a link in a minute....

waitbutwhy.com/2013/10/why-procrastinators-procrastinate.html

Later on I'll post and tell you how I am the queen of procrastination.

I love that 'Why procrastinators procrastinate ' article on the Wait But Why site. It's hilarious and so true!

We procrastinate because our human brains always want to do what is comfortable, pleasurable, easy and immediately rewarding, rather than what is difficult, uncomfortable, boring, or only rewarding in the future. Some people are simply better at controlling that urge than others!
I know what to do in theory to stop myself procrastinating- remove distractions and temptations (leave phone upstairs, switched off etc), tackle tasks in small chunks, reward myself immediately for what I've achieved etc. It's just getting around to implementing this that's the problem.

dreamsofjacaranda I'm glad I'm not the only person who does that. If I accidently do a job that's not on my list I add it to my list just so I can cross it off as well