Procrastinators Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from chronic procrastination.
Wednesday, 16th of August, 2006
I haven't posted for a while, but think I'm caught up :)
slider had a great day after a bit of a setback. She attacked her taxes head on and even had time FREE - well done!
pro has had a hyper-focus day and is suffering a nasty cut - but is getting stuff done anyway! ;)
todayfirst is tackling a few projects simlutaneously and making good progress
tl started the last CI thread but has been MIA since!!
Normy had a day off posting, come back soon! :)
Hello to all other visitors and lurkers!
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still up
I didn't know whether to finish off Wednesday or take my opportunity to start a day thread!!! But I'm online just to tattle on myself. I said I needed to go to bed early tonight, and that I would start my bedtime routine at 9:30. I did forget that tonight was the band's Midnight Movie, and I had to take DS to the theater at 11 pm. But then I went to 24-hour Superstore for a few items (never went to store earlier) and futzed around there just for fun, exploring aisles, new items, just out of curiosity, even though I was feeling tired and sleepy. Then when I got home, I still didn't put myself to bed. I'm listening to Alice Cooper on late, late night tv! (Funny, he sounds pretty much the same as 30 years ago.)
Well, I pretty regularly procrastinate about going to bed, so I guess that will be the next thing I wrap my mind around. I am particularly prone to time-binge on something near bedtime. It can be cruising the internet, playing computer games (especially Tycoon games or Mah-Jong), tv, or just a book. I often feel that I just don't want to go to bed until I've had a certain "Fun quotient" for the day. The lousier the day, the more likely I am to binge. The thing is, these time binges wind up not being very fun after all, but feel compulsive. I've been this way since I was little--sneaking books into bed, or a diary, and staying up later and later during the summers (I think I actually would operate on a 25-hour day if the world didn't interfere). Anybody else relate? What do y'all do about procrastinating about going to bed? It's not that I'm not sleepy--I am. I will have no problem falling asleep. I never do. I just don't want to! And this is nuts. I'll have a hard time getting up tomorrow.
I relate!
Sorry to be commenting so long after the original post - I've been in the Land of Procrastination! (Or Unplanned R&R!).
Two things:
1) Build more fun into the day - then by the time you get to bedtime you've had your 'quotient' (remember the Stinky/Neutral/Fun game I was playing? That had built in fun. I don't always get to do it though, but it seemed to help on that front).
2) Do everything you need to do to get yourself to bed and head on pillow, with the lights out. As you may know I've got my computer on auto-shutdown (which is why I sometimes don't bookend at the end of my day - I get chucked out!). I've got bedside light timed to go off at 11 pm. You may need to keep telly and books out of the bedroom (I took the computer out, and I don't have a telly anyway. I'm less disciplined about books, but seeing as the lights go out anyway...).
HTH.
late to bed
I have a problem with this, too. When I had dinner with my mother a week or two ago, she said this was a huge problem for her. (She, too, is a procrastinator - think it's genetic?? Well, actually, she, too, has ADD which is associated with procrastination and ADD is definitely genetic.)
I've been bad about it myself the past couple days because I abandoned my routines. I went to bed at 3am, and this morning woke up with a migraine. Hey! This is the first time I've thought to connect those two. I wonder if my wonderful migraine-free state these last couple of weeks is due to my bedtime routine and getting to sleep earlier.
another ADD connection
The sites I've been reading on ADD, especially the articles about women and girls, say that people with ADD tend to stay up late and have a hard time getting up. The only reason the articles I've seen mention as to the reason is the general problem of switching gears, making transitions. I feel a great bit of that problem! Once I AM doing something and rolling along, I don't like to switch to something else. Still, I must. So I must address my procrastination about transitioning! BTW, I'm glad to hear you've had fewer migraines. Sorry Thursday is not so good (I read other thread already).
Milo's last CI for Wednesday...
TA DA:
- got up on time (6:15)
- got both kids out the door and to care on my own! ON TIME AND WITH MINIMAL STRESS!!! YAY!!! :LOL:
- got to work only a little bit late because I had a long walk from the car
- checked my list of things to do
- realised I was so productive last week and yesterday (this accountability thing really works!) that I have all my jobs ready to test and NOTHING TO DO!!!!!!
- realised that in true procrastinators form I have a little backlog that I don't want to do so am ignoring it....Hmmmm....
- researched business opportunity for friend
- sent proposal to client for next job (spent time on business in general, too)
- enjoyed my lack of stress. Now I have to work...
- met with 2 suppliers
- promoted something to production that the testers had signed off
- spent 2 hours traipsing around town in heels doing errands for my colleagues (grrrr...)
- promoted something else to production that had been signed off
- traipsed a bit more collecting DD from care, then getting takeaway as a mummy/daughter special night treat (and an excuse not to cook or do dishes }:))
- returned phone calls (one was a brand new client - woo hoo!)
- updated master list
- helped DH do birthday invites for DS
- did client report (almost finished it but got tired)
- reconciled credit card statement
- transfered some money around
- went to bed on time
DITCHED (no surprises here :P):
- get stuck into backlog of non-urgent issues (do at least 2 hours in half-hour lots)
- do some job-searching
- evening routine (which of course made me run late this morning, but oh, well)
- run
Hey Milo, that's some list of TaDas!
job search?
You don't like your current job?
Hate it!!!!!
It's all too complicated to explain, but I hate my day job. I love my organising business but it's not earning enough to maintain our current lifestyle and financial plan for me to quit my regular job (yet), which is quite high-paying.
I realised lately (I've been on a bit of a self-discovery rollercoaster in the last 6 months) that I've only stayed for the money and it's a career I neither like nor want to pursue. BUT I need to reduce my days there and my boss won't let me. I can't grow my business and stay at work all the days I am now, so I need to leave and find a job that's less days AND less hourly rate (aaargh!). I have had an offer internally for a 1 day a week, but I really need 2, especially as it's 2/3 of my current wage. DH and I have to sit down and do some 'sums' and work out if we can afford for me to go down to that one, low-paid day. It barely covers one day of childcare let alone the 2 they are enrolled in. One bonus is that it will qualify me for a study subsidy in a course I want to do. Small bonus, tho.
My Org business is growing daily, but I've just had some publicity so the increase in clients might be just a burst and not an ongoing trend. We just don't know what to do, but I have to decide in two weeks what I'm doing - my boss has given me an ultimatum. Pull my socks up and perform or quit. She wants me to quit.
Sorry, I told you it was complicated!!!
Swapping jobs
I need to leave and find a job that's less days AND less hourly rate (aaargh!)
I found a job that was less days and a ~higher~ hourly rate. My half-time payroll job pays me more than when I was working full-time (and I like this job too! :) ) Aim high Milo!
a lot on your plate
Sounds like some gut-wrenching decisions ahead. I applaud you for even considering them as you pursue your dream (your own business). It's hard to give up the money and all the conveniences that go with the money, but GAWD I don't see how you are manging two jobs and two little ones, even with daycare and even though you have some flexibility in your work. You have plenty to juggle. I'm so glad for you that at least the babies are sleeping through the night now!!!! 8)
Good description..
Sounds like some gut-wrenching decisions ahead
Yes, and it quite often makes me ill thinking about it... :sick:
pro's CI - 6:30pm
Frustrating day. What I've accomplished:
Sound productive? Didn't feel very productive. I took the whole day to change Web hosting companies.
Clients
Okay, pro, I'm going hard-ass with you now.
You need to write to those clients. You are now putting it off because you have already gone over time and you feel ashamed to do it at all.
But think ahead a week or two. They still haven't heard from you, they are getting annoyed and you have now passed the point of no return. It's been so long that you decide not to do it at all. You lose those clients. You know how must harder it is to get new clients than maintaining your current ones. You felt bad getting told off by the newer client. You'll feel worse later.
C'mon, exercise brute force willpower and just do it!!!
You'll be better off getting to these abnormal cells before they become a cancer!!
YOU CAN DO IT!
Milo can you hard-ass me too please?
I could do with a kick up the bum to get me motivated again.
slider's CI--3 pm
So far:
--got up at 8:20 instead of 8:00 (but I feel rested--yea!)
--made coffee
--put away some laundry, spritzed some other (DH found my damp load in the dryer--which I had left damp so it would be ready to tumble this morning WITHOUT wrinkling--and helpfully started it for me before I ever got up. Grr--he meant well!)
--found stray dog in yard, called owner, had DS walk her home (and away from my chickens!)
--had DS go turn off the water hose outside and feed animals
--(Notice how I successfully delegated 3 things to DS?)
--showered and dressed
--brief cuop here
--go over to church
--select hymns
--devise SS teacher installation service
--look at curriculum website
--see what else needs tending at church
--eat lunch
--finish laundry
--CI again after that
--looked for and found cell phone (was in car!!!)
--checked voice mail
--left mssg w/K about transp.
--entered school phone number in cell (why wasn't that already there????) (btw--school district listings in phone book are seriously messed up)
--tried calling school, but busy (several times)
--received call from K; settled transportation for year for DD and learned how to get her schedule w/o going to open house
To Do:
--cuop
--check email
--go to store for hole punch, & powdered cleanser (optional)
--return voice mail calls (donwanna!!!!!)
--by 5:00 prep for wedding planning (find BOC, print out sample bulletins, find suggested readings list)
--be ready for 6:00 meeting
I did have "plan day" on list, but the day is pretty well used up or filled in. I really am balking at finding any ways to efficiently utilize the remaining time, though I have a HUGE number of household things that seriously need doing. It's an overwhelming, depressing list. I'm going to flybaby my way through it. I need some flywashing, for sure (for those who don't know, this is a reference to flylady.com website).
When my meeting is over, I give myself permission to do whatever I like with whatever free time I have until 9:30. Then I will do bedtime routine and GO TO BED so I can get up earlier tomorrow.
To remember tomorrow:
--deliver CROP walk materials to other pastors at clergy meeting
OH, CRAP! I just remembered I was going to go to the nursing home today and eat lunch there to make up for not doing it Monday, and since I will be taking Friday off. I totally forgot that decision. It wasn't an officially made one (i.e., nobody at the nursing home knew I planned to do it). Ah, well. I'll be there tomorrow. It will have to do! As for taking Friday off, THAT is official!
todayfirst CI - 4:10 PM
Well, kind of scatterbrained this afternoon. I got some stuff done but did nothing for a big chunk of the afternoon... so then I decided to do some of the easy stuff rather than do nothing at all.
Done:
- Order replacement laptop battery (it's a Dell!)
- Work on program (30 min)
- Meeting (forgot this but someone reminded me)
- Source control task 1
- Source Control Task 3 (added)
- Source Control Task 2
- Call car dealer
- Play w/ new stuff (30 min)
- Call hospital 4:00 - MUST NOT FORGET
- Set "out of office" messages
Todo:
- Project X (30 min)
- Work on program (30 min)
todayfirst CI 12:30 PM
ok, things went a bit slower this AM than anticipated. I wasn't really slacking off... just didn't go exactly as planned. I'm going to reorder the remaining items because some of the remaining tasks need to happen today as I am going to be out for the rest of the week.
Done:
- Order replacement laptop battery (it's a Dell!)
- Work on program (30 min)
- Meeting (forgot this but someone reminded me)
- Source control task 1
Todo:
- Source Control Task 3 (added)
- Source Control Task 2
- Break
- Project X (30 min)
- Call car dealer
- Play w/ new stuff (30 min)
- Break
- Work on program (30 min)
- reevaluate
- Call hospital 4:00 - MUST NOT FORGET
- Set "out of office" messages
::sigh::
I just checked my email, and one of the consulting clients who I did write to (though late) wrote back about her annoyance with my lateness. The two I haven't written to yet are even later - I can imagine what they are thinking. Maybe I should do this now.
But I DONWANNA!!!!!
Maybe I'll work on DotNetNuke for a little while, and then do it?
pro's CI - 12:05pm
TL - BE 10:30 AM
it's a complete different world to do things early!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ta Da - I can endorse for some of these goals
Week Goals - work on assignments for professional practice class – EARLY
go to 2 city meetings
set up 3 appointments for interviews w/PE
go to library and make copies of journals for summaries
look up current events and write summaries
I went to DFW Transportation planning meeting last night and very glad indeed - learned so much
have an interview today w/a PE (professional engineer) for a class assignment
went to library and found journals - will go back today and make copies!
My choices to use my time today
go run 30 min
shower
meeting
write papers over meeting last night and today
awesome, TL!!!!
pro's first CI--10:30 am
So far:
--got up at 8:20 instead of 8:00 (but I feel rested--yea!)
--made coffee
--put away some laundry, spritzed some other (DH found my damp load in the dryer--which I had left damp so it would be ready to tumble this morning WITHOUT wrinkling--and helpfully started it for me before I ever got up. Grr--he meant well!)
--found stray dog in yard, called owner, had DS walk her home (and away from my chickens!)
--had DS go turn off the water hose outside and feed animals
--(Notice how I successfully delegated 3 things to DS?) ;)
--showered and dressed
--brief cuop here
To Do:
--Call about DD's school schedule since she is missing open house (2 people to try, K and N)
--talk to K about transportation on school mornings
--go over to church
--select hymns
--devise SS teacher installation service
--look at curriculum website
--see what else needs tending at church
--make plan
--eat lunch
--finish laundry
--CI again after that
pro's CI - 10:30am
beautiful day
I went outside to get the mail because I hadn't gone out all yesterday. It's a beautiful day. I'd really like to take a walk.
Waffle, waffle...
I think I will. I'll walk over to Washington Square Park. I plan to work late, so I may as well enjoy the day for a little while.
pro's CI - 10am
I've been waffling and waffling over my to-do list. I'm still overdue in replying to two consulting clients. On one hand, I think I should write to them today and get it over with. On the other hand, that will take two hours, and I want to spend my time today learning DotNetNuke. I'm already so late, does a couple more days really matter? This current client, I haven't screwed up with yet. If I respond to the old clients, it won't make them feel much better about me, and I'll be late with the new one.
Okay - just writing it out decided me. I'm putting off the old ones a little longer. I'll also put off working on my backlogs (PayPal notifications and accounting). I'll just answer customer email, then get back to DotNetNuke. I think I need to buy hosting somewhere else. I'm having problems with GoDaddy. Too bad I prepaid for two years.
I also need to go get my mail. I haven't done that for a few days (never even got outside yesterday).
todayfirst 8:30 AM EST
Well, I got the bathroom cleaned last night for our incoming guests. That took a bit too long and I was nearly choking from using so much cleaner (don't worry not particularly toxic stuff... just strong smelling). I'd guess it's been... hmmm maybe 3-4 months since I cleaned it? I honestly can't remember... but there was definitely stuff growing in there that shouldn't. Some kind of pink mold and a few black mildew splots here and there. I guess we should clean it more often, huh? :D
Done:
- Order replacement laptop battery (it's a Dell!)
Todo:
- Work on program (30 min)
- Source control task 1
- Break
- Project X (30 min) :barf:
- Call car dealer
- Play w/ new stuff (30 min) :)
- Break
- Work on program (30 min)
- Source Control Task 2
- reevaluate
- Call hospital - PM
pro's CI - 8:30am
pro's CI - 7:45am
book ending?
Is this where you do the book-ending thing?
I'm confused as to how to do the book-ending thing.
So here goes a try and probably in the wrong place.
To do for Wednesday:
1. Go to sleep
2. Wake up by 9am PST
3. Visit vendor
4. Get to work by 11am
5. Create work task list and get busy...
Is this how it's done?
yup - this is Bookending Central
Now you just have to come back and report on how you're doing. The accountability of posting it makes a huge difference - helps me a lot.
There's no right or wrong to how you post your check-ins - do in however works best for you.
Yep!
Right place, and you got the format right. You can do any format you like, and check in however often you like. It's purpose is accountability, so you tell someone you're going to do something - you're less likely to procrastinate on doing it.
And we read them - we pick it up if something seems to ALWAYS stay on the to-do when lots of new things show up on the Ta Da!! We've all done it!!!!! :lol:
Oh, and I often start the bookend for the day because I'm in Australia and it's the next day for me when you are heading to bed. Just so you know and don't get too confused ;)
Milo's CI 4pm
Well, I WAS about to start my backlog (yeah, right) when I was nominated to do something inane and administrative for the rest of the department that took 2 hours out of my afternoon. So I had to do that, because obviously my job isn't as important as anyone else's and I had nothing to do (how did they know THAT?!).
TA DA:
- got up on time (6:15)
- got both kids out the door and to care on my own! ON TIME AND WITH MINIMAL STRESS!!! YAY!!!
- got to work only a little bit late because I had a long walk from the car
- checked my list of things to do
- realised I was so productive last week and yesterday (this accountability thing really works!) that I have all my jobs ready to test and NOTHING TO DO!!!!!!
- realised that in true procrastinators form I have a little backlog that I don't want to do so am ignoring it....Hmmmm....
- researched business opportunity for friend
- sent proposal to client for next job (spent time on business in general, too)
- enjoyed my lack of stress. Now I have to work...
- met with 2 suppliers
- promoted something to production that the testers had signed off
TO DO:
- get stuck into backlog of non-urgent issues (do at least 2 hours in half-hour lots)
- do some job-searching
I just know I'm not going to do that backlog. I don't know why I kid myself into thinking I will. I just don't want to do it! DONWANNA DONWANNA DONWANNA!!!!
I have more to do tonight when I get home but will post that list at about 7:30pm. I am going for a run tonight. The days are getting longer and it's not too dark at 7pm for a run now (I'm a scaredycat in the dark).
Milo's donwanna list?
I have more to do tonight when I get home but will post that list at about 7:30pm. I am going for a run tonight. The days are getting longer and it's not too dark at 7pm for a run now (I'm a scaredycat in the dark).
I looked for the list... Did you get lost on your run? ;)
Ha ha...
I know, I know. I never posted :P. I will now....
I didn't even make it to my run!!!!
pro's CI - 1:50am (?)
I have to go to sleep. There is something seriously wrong with my DotNetNuke installation, and I'm too inexperienced with Windows servers to know what. The host, GoDaddy, is not very helpful. I wish my regular host had Windows servers because their tech support is outstanding.
I'm too tired to think straight - must sleep.
Go to bed!
G'night!!!
Milo 12 noon
TA DA:
- got up on time (6:15)
- got both kids out the door and to care on my own! ON TIME AND WITH MINIMAL STRESS!!! YAY!!!
- got to work only a little bit late because I had a long walk from the car
- checked my list of things to do
- realised I was so productive last week and yesterday (this accountability thing really works!) that I have all my jobs ready to test and NOTHING TO DO!!!!!!
- realised that in true procrastinators form I have a little backlog that I don't want to do so am ignoring it....Hmmmm....
- researched business opportunity for friend
- sent proposal to client for next job (spent time on business in general, too)
- enjoyed my lack of stress. Now I have to work...
TO DO:
- get stuck into backlog of non-urgent issues (do at least 2 hours in half-hour lots)
- meet with 2 suppliers (I have amost double-booked, will have to get rid of one quickly!)
- do some job-searching
Yay, Milo!
Getting ANYTHING done with little ones around is always a minor miracle. I don't know how moms used to get all their housework done with tots underfoot. Maybe they were more severe with them, or better at tuning them out, I dunno. You've done great as a single parent today (getting going this morning so smoothly). Good to have the sitter the rest of the time, eh?
Thanks, slider..
I was pretty pleased with myself, actually! 8)
I do worry about doing things when they are around simply because I don't want them to remember me saying "In a minute, I just have to sweep" "In a minute, just after I do the dishes" "Why don't you just play by yourself until I finish this?".
I find I do that WAY too much. Because I'm so busy, my days at home with them are also the only days I get to do housework. I do try to keep up on working days, but I can't do as much.
Wednesday, and I haven't gotten dressed on Tuesday yet!
pro has had a hyper-focus day and is suffering a nasty cut - but is getting stuff done anyway!
Very kind summary of my behavior, Milo! I have things I really should be doing, and I'm blowing everything off to learn the CMS programs to be able to bid on this job (and a one other). I just finished learning Joomla to my satisfaction, and now (after a shower?) I'm onto DotNetNuke. I have that installed on one of my sites already. It's my only Windows server. I'm a LAMP programmer (Linux, Apache, MySQL, PHP), but I have experience in the languages that .NET uses, so I think I should catch on fast. Well, I tend to catch onto anything programming-related pretty fast.
Still, I should get dressed some time before I go to bed - at least I should brush my teeth today! I can be quite the nerd. :P
You aren't blowing things off...
You are prioritising ;)
Milo's CI 10am
Morning all! Although some are still winding their Tuesdays down..
DH is away at the moment so I had a taste of single-parentdom this morning. I salute all single parents who get out of the door on time in the morning!!!
TA DA:
- got up on time (6:15)
- got both kids out the door and to care on my own! ON TIME AND WITH MINIMAL STRESS!!! YAY!!!
- got to work only a little bit late because I had a long walk from the car
- checked my list of things to do
- realised I was so productive last week and yesterday (this accountability thing really works!) that I have all my jobs ready to test and NOTHING TO DO!!!!!!
- realised that in true procrastinators form I have a little backlog that I don't want to do so am ignoring it....Hmmmm....
TO DO:
- spend some time on my business if I can get away with it }:)
- get stuck into backlog of non-urgent issues (do at least 2 hours in half-hour lots)
- meet with 2 suppliers (I have amost double-booked, will have to get rid of one quickly!)
- enjoy my lack of stress today :)
- do some job-searching
(I am in a good mood today, hence all the graphics!!! :))
Graphics
Try them when you're in a 'bad' mood too. I find I've less energy to mess with graphics when I'm feeling blah, but if I make the effort they seem to help motivate me.