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.

Thursday February 14, 2008

pro's CI - 10pm

I didn't get up right away, but I did finally get up, wash the dishes, and brush my teeth. And it's only 10pm - halleluyah.

I'm going to get into my jammies now and get into bed. I haven't been sleeping well. I'd like to get a good night's sleep tonight, if it's possible. I keep waking up around 4am and then can't go back to sleep - don't know why.

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Procrastination is the grave in which opportunity is buried.

pro's (late) check-in - 9:15pm (great thread starter!!)

I love the thread starter - thanks elisaveth.

This is my first check-in today. I was trying to leave early this morning and didn't want to take the time to post.

Right now, I would like to wash the dishes and brush my teeth but I seem glued to my chair. Therefore I'm posting. :D

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Procrastination is the grave in which opportunity is buried.

kromer 5 (Central Time) CI

Failed to finish all my work yesterday, grr to me!

Had a long flight today, but now I have a free evening for work and will try to use it well.
Tasks:
Must do:
Finish and email biochem pset
Test automated visualization
Start new flow algorithm calculation
Visualize 2 results
Visualize canonical pathway
Unpack
Review application
Get dinner
Email in Spanish HW

Should do:
Clean out email
Type up/finish analyzing expt results
Email PF
Review biochem lectures
Go through biochem paper in greater detail
Go running

Game plan:
1)Email in Spanish HW (DONE)
2)Test automated visualization
3)Start new calculation
4)Short break, clean out email
5)Start work on question 2 of pset
6)Go to dinner

And happy valentine's day, all!

Journey 3 pm

quick update - I'm glad I checked in, I was feeling like I hadn't gotten much done today but looking at my list I see I have completed most of my workday MITs.  Most of the day has been spent in meetings which feels unproductive to me :) but they have to be done!

X - gym
X - read email
X - daily planning
X - prepare for change planning meeting *
X - change planning meeting *
- plan for my changes *
- prepare my changes *
- create scripts for my changes *
X - review other folk's changes and make timeline *
X - verify all change requests are approved *
X - all hands meeting *
X - IBM meeting *
X - go out to lunch with friend
- stop by to look at high chair
- grocery store - dog food and stevia *
- list of fixes
- s/w download
- dishes/laundry *  

starred items are MITs

"Finish your MITs, then take a nap!" - Leo Babauta

Lark, frustrated today

Ugh, it's after one, and I've gotten zilch done so far. My attempt at cleaning actually made a greater mess than before, and I'm trying to schedule my workday, which is like digging holes in the sand.

cleaning

Lark, I also find that I make more of a mess cleaning than I do if I leave things alone. I am doing my best to only work for a short period of time on one project: one drawer, one countertop, etc. otherwise I pull everything out. I think I have ADD and I can get so distracted going from one thing after another that I look up and find the house has burst at the seams...

Using a timer

As much as I've resisted FlyLady's dependence on timers, I have to say that it works.

Pick on area; set the timer for 15 minutes.
Spend those 15 minutes just in that area. 

You'll be surprised how long 15 minutes is and how much can get done if we concentrate on just one area.

Peace,
Karen

rah rah timers!

When I use them it works (but I rarely set mine for 15 minutes lol!)

Indiezee 10:46 AM MT

Hm, it's valentine's day!  But still, got my list!

~ Make a Valentine's breafkast for my bf

~ Walk downtown (30 mins of exercise for today)

~ Buy timer

~ Book massage for bf

~ View potential home with my mom

~ Go to work at 3 PM

~ Do homework

~ Do Yoga

~ Tidy room

~ Do laundry

~ Take nap at 10 PM

I always feel like I'm not puttin enough into my day.  But I worry about doing that because i still procrastinate pretty bad after I get back from work.  I only ever intend to watch one tv show after my shift, but it turns into a movie which turns into 4 hours of nonstop TV and when I finally have the guts to turn it off I look at my list and curse myself for putting it off, and inevitably only half of it gets done before it's time to call it a day and I need my sleep.

So no TV time I guess until AFTER my list is done... see if I stick to that :P

9 out of 11 Whohoo!

I didn't do yoga or book that massage for my boyfriend but the thing I'm most proud of today was something that wasn't even on my list at all.

I got a ride from my mom after work to go home and on the way I realized I ran out of OJ.  It's pretty much essential to my diet but I really didn't want to go shopping.  i just wanted to go home and veg out in front of the TV, but I forced myself to ask my mom to detour to the grocery store.  I tried not to think about all the other stuff I would inevitably buy and have to carry back into the car, into the house and sort out into the cupboards and fridge, just because whenever I visualize, I get resistant at all the work seemingly involved in what people deem 'simple tasks.'

Instead, and this works better with me all the time, I asked myself, "Do I really want to walk to the to the grocery store in the morning in -50 weather for one carton of OJ or do I want to go now when someone can give me a ride and I can buy all the other stuff i need and get my shopping done for the week and not have to deal with it until next week?"

It's a bugger but the 'lesser of two evils' scheme always works.

TV addiction

TV is where I waste the most time, too.  I've been toying with giving up TV for the rest of Lent, but my husband, the truck driver, when he's home, spends most of his time in front of it.  Watching movies together seems to be the one thing we both enjoy so . . .

I'm really resisting this idea even though I know it would make me more productive.

Peace,
Karen

movies together

I know what you mean.  My boyfriend and I don't actually like the same shows but movies is our thing and we're both pretty different in how we like to spend the rest of our time (he plays video games, I'll read).  I'm starting to think maybe I should limit myself to only watching tv when I want to watch a movie with him and the rest of the time don't bother.  And if he's watching tv I can go out or read but use my ipod to drown out the TV while I read.

It's a small solution anyways :P

tv downloads

I am not much of a tv addict, I would much rather spend my time reading or here, but there are certain television shows that I watch religiously, House and Heroes being two of them. I don't live in the States anymore, so getting my fix has been solved by my son, who downloads the current episodes. What I have liked about that is the advertisments are not included, so an hour episode only takes 40 minutes to watch. Also, I can control when I watch them so I don't feel like I am missing anything if I stop to do something important. I use it as a treat for a job well done.

House, MD

I've never seen Heroes, but House is my favorite TV show of all time. I'm suffering this season because the writer's strike cut it in half. There have been only 12 episodes, and I don't know if there will be any more this season.

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Procrastination is the grave in which opportunity is buried.

House!

House and (blush) American Idol are the only TV shows I make an effort to watch.  Otherwise I'd rather spend my screen time in front of the computer!

"Finish your MITs, then take a nap!" - Leo Babauta

Journey OT: Moment of Truth

Speaking of stupid reality shows such as American Idol - of which I am a rather embarrassed fan - has anyone seen that new show Moment of Truth, where people have to answer embarrassing personal questions with a lie detector?  It's morbidly fascinating but I just hate the whole concept.  I make my family change the channel if they're watching it.  I've never restricted my kids from watching most TV shows but I detest them watching the Jerry Springer-type shows and this one is even worse. 

Perhaps these shows are only seen in the US - I certainly hope so. 

Sorry for the off-topic rant!  I'm getting to work now!

Journey

"Finish your MITs, then take a nap!" - Leo Babauta

Moment of Truth

I have not heard of it, yet, but I am one of those folks who watches reality tv with this feeling of morbid fascination for about 5 minutes and then stops and goes to read a book. I feel the same way about Jerry Springer, although there is supposed to be a great new theatre piece about Jerry Springer in New York. Have you seen it, Pro?

As for Heroes, it is a serial kind of thing, so if you start in the middle it won't make as much sense. Also, it is science fiction, which I love, but is not for everyone.

House rocks. Period. The other one which was good, but I don't get to see anymore was Boston Legal. And I can still watch old Soprano's episodes (the joys of never having had cable!)

Lark at 9:08am

Gee, Valentine's Day crept up on me. Seems like it was "later" in the week.
Today:
(X)morning routine
spiritual period
(X)heat on in workshop
 check work project over and call client
 order things for today's project
 minimum 2 hrs. today's project (a satisfactory time period)
 go to bank
 call "next" client to arrange schedule
 finish housework
 check in at lunch

Journey 8:30 Happy Valentine's Day!!

Good morning! 

Today, I need to prepare for the weekend changes.  It's a good thing that I didn't get to this yesterday because the boss sent out an email saying that he's looking for volunteers to help with a report he has to get out today - which he has probably put off until the last minute.  I think he's a procrastinator too!    But today, I can avoid doing his paperwork for him because I have real work that has to get done before this weekend.  nyah nyah (Journey sticks out her tongue at boss)

so, here goes:

X - gym
X - read email
X - daily planning
- prepare for change planning meeting *
- change planning meeting *
- plan for my changes *
- prepare my changes *
- create scripts for my changes *
- review other folk's changes and make timeline *
- verify all change requests are approved *
- all hands meeting *
- IBM meeting *
- go out to lunch with friend
- stop by to look at high chair
- grocery store - dog food and stevia *
- list of fixes
- s/w download
- dishes/laundry *  

starred items are MITs

Wishing everyone a successful, productive, and enjoyable day! 

Journey
 

"Finish your MITs, then take a nap!" - Leo Babauta

oops! double post

"Finish your MITs, then take a nap!" - Leo Babauta

Journey 8:30 Happy Valentine's Day!!

Good morning! 

Today, I need to prepare for the weekend changes.  It's a good thing that I didn't get to this yesterday because the boss sent out an email saying that he's looking for volunteers to help with a report he has to get out today - which he has probably put off until the last minute.  I think he's a procrastinator too!    But today, I can avoid doing his paperwork for him because I have real work that has to get done before this weekend.  nyah nyah (Journey sticks out her tongue at boss)

so, here goes:

X - gym
X - read email
X - daily planning
- prepare for change planning meeting *
- change planning meeting *
- plan for my changes *
- prepare my changes *
- create scripts for my changes *
- review other folk's changes and make timeline *
- verify all change requests are approved *
- all hands meeting *
- IBM meeting *
- go out to lunch with friend
- stop by to look at high chair
- grocery store - dog food and stevia *
- list of fixes
- s/w download
- dishes/laundry *  

starred items are MITs

Wishing everyone a successful, productive, and enjoyable day! 

Journey
 

"Finish your MITs, then take a nap!" - Leo Babauta

Busy Day CI

Since my daughter has the flu, I'm going to take DGD#2 to her eye appointment.  That changes how we do school so here's the list:

Prepare schoolwork for kids to do at home.
Take mocassins to Post Office
Take out garbage & change tire on camper
grocery shop for camping trip
empty dishwasher
finish white clothes in dryer
15 mins. cleaning bathroom
take out garbage
change tire on camper
1 hr. Gandhi unit study
1 hr. Amer. Lit.

I may have to just do 1 hr. on the computer, but it depends on how the afternoon goes.

I'll check back later when I have more time to read everyone's posts today.

Peace,
Karen

Slow but Sure

I got a few things done but now I'm in my afternoon burn-out time.  I'm tempted to zone out on TV!
Laughing Sounds addictive, doesn't it?  Like chocolate!

(x) Prepare schoolwork for kids to do at home.
(x) Take mocassins to Post Office
(x)grocery shop for camping trip
empty dishwasher
finish white clothes in dryer
15 mins. cleaning bathroom
take out garbage
change tire on camper
1 hr. Gandhi unit study
1 hr. Amer. Lit.

Peace,
Karen

Homeshooling

Karen,

From what you write I gather that you homeschool your grandchildren??!! Wow. My fullest admiration to you and to all homeschoolers. I wouldn't last a day!

Thanks, I love it!

Yes, I do homeschool my grandchildren. 

I absolutely love it.  It is a lot of work.  Some weeks I'm dragging by Friday so we make Fridays are arts and crafts days.  Sometimes we go to museums or take some other type of field trip.

Thanks,
Karen

homeschooling

My sister has homeschooled her children and it is great to see all that they can do when they learn at their own pace. Their interests are all so different from one another and they get along famously. What is particularly wonderful is to avoid all the bullying and cattiness of school.

Douglas CI 2-14-08

Good Morning all and Happy Valentines Day!

 Dude: Dress for success today
 Employee: Work on Design and finish project presentation for tomorrow
Husband: Make dinner for my honey
Son: Call Mother for V Day
Brother: Send thank you to G.
Dad: Send my daughter roses today!
Fitness : Find new gym and sign up
Son-In-Law: visit f-i-l and help him convelese (sp?)

"Never put off til tomorrow what you can do today!"

Douglas

Flowers for DD

How neat!  Sending flowers to your daughter.  I wish my dad had done that! (Or my husband, for that matter!)

Peace,
Karen

kaoba's CI

Good morning! Positive vibes for a good day to all. Today I will (apart from all the routine stuff that happens every day):

( ) assemble and mail out bulletin
( ) fill out bank deposits for bank errand this afternoon
( ) call my nephew for his birthday
( ) find the instructions for plantar fascitis treatment
This is the one I've been avoiding, but if I don't take care of this, then I can't walk very far ...)

kaoba's CI update 1

(/) assemble and mail out bulletin
Halfway there. It is taking longer than I anticipated, but I am making headway on it.

( ) fill out bank deposits for bank errand this afternoon
( ) call my nephew for his birthday
( ) find the instructions for plantar fascitis treatment

Plantar Fascitis

Kaoba,

I had this and it got better and disappeared. I credit excerise. I tried everything to get rid of it, but it was only wheni began consistently working out that it went away for good.

Be encouraged!

Douglas

Re: Plantar Fascitis

Douglas,

I'm indeed encouraged to hear that. I've had it for a while and it's driving me crazy. However, in my trademark procrastinating style, I haven't followed the regime of stretching etc that I was prescribed. I hope it does go away soon!

e's Valentine's Day check in

So far the day has bene both productive and frustrating: I think the frustration is because I am all riled up to make lots of progress and I am impatient with myself. I have been here too long this morning so I will keep this brief.

Worker: check on work orders, clear one table, complete AAICU files, ABSTRACT THAT I AM AVOIDING LIKE THE PLAGUE

Valentine: make donation to charity, plan and cook a really good supper. Chocolates.....

Mother: set up C's bedside table area so he can take responsibility for getting up

banker: set up transfer of funds, call Martin F, taxes, taxes, taxes, financial aide follow up

wife: take care of hanging of pics for G.

self: set up hairdryer in bedroom. hot spot the dresser. declutter nightstand

addictive self: big book, 4th step, journal, post here, service to others

aesthetician: skin-X, teeth -x, hair - x, water -X, meds-X, doctor's appointments, walk 1/2 done, makeup x

e's midday ci

Little spurts of work are keeping me going. Sometimes I feel like I am sitting on the beach with a pair of tweezers moving sand from one spot to another. Yesterday I felt like i had a bulldozer. Today I feel like I have a ladle and a sieve and I keep switching from one tool to another.

I am pleased with myself: I sent my husband orchids at work. I had some advisory discussions on how to handle a delicate situation at work and feel better prepared to go forth. I am doing my fourth step on my laptop at home and that feels really good: especially interms of setting my goals of making amends. One baby step at a time, if not for the other person, for me.

Today: keep on with the transfer of files until one file drawer is completed.
plan dinner
get chocolate!
pay wind bill!
walk home

e's eve

It has been a roller coaster of a day, mentally, emotionally and physically. Looking back on it I see that doing my 4th step is going to stir up a lot of sediment and it will be hard going. I bought the makings of a really nice dinner for my family, but walked in the door with everything and came down with a sudden migraine. It still has not gone away, and I don't think it will until I get some serious sleep. The positives, however, were really good today.

Gratitude:
encouraging discussion with my boss
nice encounter with the president of the college
productive discussion with colleagues
my son's making shrimp scampi for dinner
older son getting his act together and calling home to get his girlfriend flowers (a big deal, as he is super shy on the phone)
younger son really getting into playing guitar (and having it sound decent)
Little bits and pieces that I am finding the energy to make to keep the house in order
wireless internet
having my books from home

get chocolate!

Now, that's something that should be on the list every day!!

Journey

"Finish your MITs, then take a nap!" - Leo Babauta

chocolate!

Happily, I was not the only one to bring chocolate home! I am getting rounder, but what a way to do it! :grin: