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 9th June

eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

Wednesday is a gift!

use it wisely

eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

 

 

Recycler CI 8:20pm EST

Hi Pro Buddies!

Thunderstorm. I've been home since 5:30, but area thunderstorms kept me off the computer for a long time! Finally can check in, lol! ((sigh))

Today: rode train, stretched at gym, Big Breakfast before another Training Class today, had sushi for lunch (which I like :), checked work e-mails after training class, rode train home. While waiting for thunderstorm to be over: washed/dried/put away 1 load of clothes, fixed & ate dinner, washed & moisturized face, read recovery literature. Already brushed & flossed teeth!!! (g)

Tonight: I've already done everything, so will probably surf the net a little more. Go to bed on-time!!!

Have a great night, everyone! :)

Recycler

Thank you, gals & guys, for being here! :)

re recycler "I've already done everything,"

Yay! 

Jo

 

"In our minds, we seek to be divine; but in our hearts, we know it's party time." - Rondo Bros in Aquarium Dreams

 

Journey 8:10 pm

bookending my 20 minutes of household chores!

"In our minds, we seek to be divine; but in our hearts, we know it's party time." - Rondo Bros in Aquarium Dreams

 

Journey 8:55

Did my 20 minutes and sat in the porch swing with dd for a little while.  Going to finish unloading the dishwasher and make coffee for tomorrow then I'm free!  Guilt free second life time.

Jo

"In our minds, we seek to be divine; but in our hearts, we know it's party time." - Rondo Bros in Aquarium Dreams

 

Journey 3:15

The lunch was fun, but I'm glad it's over!  I've been much more productive this afternoon! 

Jo

"The sooner you get behind, the longer you have to catch up." - Steven Wright

Rick's Check In

REPORT FROM YESTERDAY (Tues)

MOSTLY - Clear Desk / Daily Basket
NOPE - Urgent Bills
NOPE - Boys Jobs
NOPE - Finish ADD Class
DONE - AR "Pink" Billing
NOPE - Start Emp Billing / Mo Report
Okay ... I did a lot of good stuff in the routine of my work, kept busy, no naps, no serious time wasters, but I am so overwhelmed by the hole I've dug for myself. I can't be impatient, but its just like a caveman who is thawing out and trying to see the world all at once. Today is busy with routine stuff I will do well, but in addition I will ...

GOALS FOR TODAY! (Wed)

XXXX - Finish Clear Desk / Daily Basket
XXXX - Urgent Bills
XXXX - Boys Jobs
XXXX - Emp Billing / Mo Report

Stupid question ... what's a MIT? Is there required handwear I am missing?

Hi Rick!

Rick said "I am so overwhelmed by the hole I've dug for myself."

Well, Rick, You can dig out ... We can dig out together!  In fact, this has inspired tomorrow (July 10)'s thread starter! 

There is hope!

-- movingalong

LOL Rick

MIT = Most Important Thing(s). But some are such hot potatoes, it could mean handwear too!  I really enjoyed this comment you made: <<just like a caveman who is thawing out and trying to see the world all at once.>>> Man, can I relate!

Thanks Rita

I thought it was something like that. I'll try to designate a MIT or two. Honestly those are that tasks that trigger irrational avoidance and thoughts of doing anything else. They are also old enough that they are lace with shame and denial. Right now I'm excavating the cave to discover the unfinished projects. Eventually I'll talk about TAXES ... shudder.

Rick

pdx on MIT

yep, if you haven't read thru the P.A. Meeting Materials i would highly recommend them.

What's directly relevant here is "sign 9" of a compulsive procrastinator:

We suffer from Demand Resistance, causing us to do anything and everything except the one thing we most need to do.

I used to think that as long as i was getting MIT #2 or #3 done, i was doing well, til i read this line. Now i believe it.

Rick's cave

No need for shame or denial around these here parts, Rick!

The concept of MITs comes from Leo Babauta of the Zen Habits blog.  Leo recommends setting 3 MITs each day.  Of course, you will probably do more than 3 things, but choose the 3 Most Important Things you will get done today.  When you get them done, allow yourself to feel successful! 

We procrastinators forget how to feel successful and proud 'cause that backlog is always there accusing us.  It helps to take "one day at a time" as another famous 12-step program says.  We can even face those *taxes* a little bit at a time!

Good luck!

Jo  

"The sooner you get behind, the longer you have to catch up." - Steven Wright

what, only 3?!

Thanks for that clarification, journey. I didn't know the origin of MITs but got the idea from just observing other folks on this site. I wonder what would happen to my life if I actually tried to focus on just 3 MITs per day. Wow. I think I would actually lose a few clients ... and maybe that's what needs to happen anyway.  I'm going to sit with that idea and my HP for awhile and see what simmers to the top.  Thanks for a thought-provoking post!

re: only 3?

Yep, that was my reaction, too!  It's ok to do more than three, BUT the focus is to finish your top three most important things.  Then celebrate!  Everything else is gravy. 

I've started labeling my todo list in order of importance, and then do them in that order (if possible).  If I get to Items 4 and 5 or more that's great.  But at the end of the day, if I get 1-3 done, then I know I spent my time working on the most important things. 

Jo

"In our minds, we seek to be divine; but in our hearts, we know it's party time." - Rondo Bros in Aquarium Dreams

 

Wolf's Check-in - 8:30

Well, I awoke at 6:00 am this morning, was hoping to get a good start on the day, and it's already dwindling away! Good Grief! Though, I did accomplish one positive thing, and that was pay my Guitar Center bill.

MITs


X  Pay Guitar Center Bill

  • Evaluate remaining Schoolwork to complete
  • Finish and submit Accounting assignment
  • Lay out a plan for Int. Bus assignment
  • Begin Stats assignment
  • Play Diplomacy  (important to plan 'play time' as per TheNow Habit'

OTHERs

  • Enter June RDPD
  • Clean off desk

Rita check in

Good morning fellow recoverers! May today be MIT-full for all. My HP's MITs for me:

  • Call DWS – can fix be done by email? If so, do so and then work on dreaded billing; If not, go in. I am major balking. DWS didn't need me after all but I have dawdled the morning away, TERRIFIED of facing this billing work. I am going to chat thru viz'ing and see if I can find the exact nature of my balk.
  • New MIT: EP needs pronto reviews/edits on 3 docs and a ppt,
  • Banking
  • 12:30 Walk TJ 20 minutes, lunch
  • Think about RIG and email G/K some ideas
  • Review emails
  • Just find out where I am on the March billing [big scary MIT here]
  • 1:00 WI planning:
    •  Review SJ’s proposal for WI
    •  Listen to the webinar EP suggested 
    •  Write working agendas
    •  Draft email for all TMs about how to participate
  • 5:30 break for dinner
  • 6:50 p.m. leave for AWOL at Jan’s

 

Rita CI 2:45, 4 pm and 6:15 pm

Sorta outta control today. Still nothing done on billing. Chat/viz'd thru the "new MIT" but kept wandering off to eat, pet the dog, hug the Husband, tweeze a stray eyelash, etc. Revising MITs to current realities:

  • New MIT: EP needs pronto reviews/edits on 3 docs and a ppt, DONE
  • Banking - DONE yay!
  • EP telecon about the ppt. DONE
  • Just find out where I am on the March billing [big scary MIT here] NEXT - going to chat it thru - DONE - amazing insights.
  • WI planning: NOT DONE - which will have large negative impact on some innocent people. I'm going to prayerfully consider pulling a late-nighter to complete the essential elements:
    • Listen to the webinar EP suggested 
    •  Write working agendas
    •  Draft email for all TMs about how to participate
  • 6:00 break for dinner
  • 6:50 p.m. leave for AWOL at Jan’s
  • How it works

    When I went to chat myself through visualizing the big scary start of March billing, I found sticking points that were all about Authority Figures. What's cool, from recovery perspective, is that I took PA Step 3 last week and signed on mentally and spiritually for starting PA Step 4. Even though I have not started writing on it, the awarenesses are already popping.

    Rita nodding off...

    ...unbelievably, I made it through all today's MITs. Thank you HP!  :grin:  And this, despite a couple of mega-interruptions that required immediate attention. I'm tired but very relieved: figuring out where I stand on March billing uncovered a lot of stuff - piles, literally, plus mental stuff - that I got sorted in preparation for actually doing it. This will now be a near-future MIT that is not nearly so scary. And I learned some things about myself in the process, that contribute to my PA Step 4.  Thanks for being here, PA-pals!

    Journey 9:45

    Good morning!  I read CNN.com this morning BEFORE I did my 20 minutes of getting started work.  Gotta stop that!  But now, my 20 minutes is done and I can go get coffee.

    I need to establish a 20 minute rule at home too.  After eating dinner, I sit down in front of the tv or the computer and before I know it, it's 9 pm and my chores aren't done.  So then I end up running around doing dishes and laundry and getting ready for bed in a hurry, getting to bed late, and then being too keyed up to fall asleep.  The SENSIBLE thing to do would be to eat dinner, do the dishes, spend 15 or 20 minutes on other little chores, get ready for bed, and then the rest of the evening is free time.  But NO, "I don't do the good I want to do, but instead do the evil that I don't want to do." (Romans 7:19)

    Off to the coffee pot and MIT #1.  Have a great Wednesday!

    Jo

     

    "The sooner you get behind, the longer you have to catch up." - Steven Wright

    Journey 11:00

    Somebody kick me in the butt!  MIT #1 is STILL NOT DONE.  I never even got coffee.  I goofed off until I had to rush to a 10 am meeting.  The meeting is over now, so I'm starting this day over with a new 20-minute startup.   

    I know why I'm stalled out today - I have a lunch meeting that I'm very nervous about.  It's not a big deal!  It's just meeting with some colleagues at another company, but I get nervous about having to deal with those human beings face to face.  Why can't we just send email?!  Deep breath.  It will be ok. 

    Thanks to this forum, I can think through these things now, i.e., "Why am I procrastinating?  My MITs are set, and I know what I need to do next, so what's blocking me?  Oh, yeah, I'm scared about this lunch thing.   OK, so you're scared.  It'll be ok.  Just keep moving."

    Jo  

    "The sooner you get behind, the longer you have to catch up." - Steven Wright

    thanks journey

    for sharing your process on this...I can really see how you think it through ("Why am I procrastinating?" etc)...I am learning to do this and helps to observe others breaking through it too.

    And now, as requested...a friendly "but-kick" toward your MIT#1! :-)

    thanks for the butt kick rita!

    MIT#1 is done! ON to #2! 

    "The sooner you get behind, the longer you have to catch up." - Steven Wright

    way to go jo!

    Now, if I do not report back here soon to say I completed my banking, I cordially invite you to return the butt-kick favor. You'll be first in line before the insurance company and the IRS who won't get paid tomorrow if I don't go NOW!  :0

    Are you back from the bank Rita?!

    "The sooner you get behind, the longer you have to catch up." - Steven Wright

    Rita's banking is done!

    Also had late lunch, did some laundry and now heading back into MITs.  Thanks for the folo, Jo!

    so much butt kicking and so little time

    i can't believe i missed all the fun. I've been working all day, since my 1/2 day task took 3 days. I feel pressure. I'm probably time binging, also, if i'm to be completely honest.

    But to think of all the butt kicking going around and that i missed out. :,( Of all days to not post in the morning...

    yeah, we missed you clement

    "Butt" there's always tomorrow! :-)

    lol rita

    nm

    Journey 11:25

    k, HP was looking out for me.  There were TWO boxes of doughnuts in the break room, but by the time I got there, the only ones left were the jelly-filled ones, which I don't like.  And it's almost time to go out to lunch anyway. 

    Had I gotten there at 9:30 as planned, I would not have been able to resist.  So, the cloud has a silver lining :)

    Jo  

    "The sooner you get behind, the longer you have to catch up." - Steven Wright

    20 Minutes

    I find the 20 minute rule to be very effective...for both work and other things like checking e-mail, etc.  Twenty minutes and then I switch, keeps me from getting bored or staying too long doing something that could into a time waster.  Mmmmmm, Doughnuts!

    avacal201 849am CI

    Hello All

    MIT

    1. finish up e5** tasks DONE
    2. get started on excel exports IN PROGRESS

    Goals

    Trying to exceed 60% useful work for the day
        NEARLY THERE - GOT TO 56% YESTERDAY

     

    Use work tracker

       DONE

    Keep detailed notes on progress

        DONE - ONGOING 

     

    Thanks!

    --Pete

    kromer 8:40 CI

    Didn't get any work done after 5:30 last night, and have been dawdling this morning.

    Next up: gather up notes, pack lunch, head to lab. 

    kromer 9:35 CI

    In lab, got out material for the day.

    This hasn't been the most productive week so far, I'd like to turn it around.

    First tasks for the day:
    *Look up 5 coregulators (search for datasets) (45 min-1hr) DONE
    *Finish network flow reading (30 min)
    *Make script for AL to do randomizations, test it out, email her about it (1-2 hr)
    *Look up 5 more coregulators (45 min-1hr)
    *Organize lab notes (30 min)

    OK, let's go!

    kromer 12:15 CI

    OK, I've been making progress (though not exactly blazing along)...I've looked up the 10 coregulators and had lunch.

    Now I'm going to make script for AL, then finish network flow reading, then organize lab notes. I'll check back in when I'm done.  

    kromer 3:30 CI

    Made script for AL, wrote up documentation, and emailed her.  It took forever! (Partly because I got sort of distracted, and partly because it was just a hard task). Now I'm going to finish my network flow reading.

    Then I need to leave at 4:00 to go to a meeting. I have a very busy evening, won't get back until 10:30 or so.

    Before I leave, I need to:
    *Make sure I have affinity clustering reading
    *Print off "7 tips"
    *Make sure I know how to get to OCTC and MS
    *Make sure I have papers+notes
    *Wash lunch dishes, pack up stuff

    Go Kromer!

    Sending positive thoughts your way, Kromer :-D

    ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
    Nothing diminishes anxiety faster than action - Walter Anderson

    Edge's CI - 1:14pm

    Thanks for starting today's thread, Convalaria!

    MITs:
    - send H feedback on designs & meeting material(?)
    - wash old litter box

    Other:
    x vitamins
    x hmed 1/2
    x fmed 1/2
    x blue med
    x put away groceries
    x kitty litter
    x laundry 1/2
    - laundry 2/2
    - clean room
    - hmed 2/2
    - fmed 2/2

    ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
    Nothing diminishes anxiety faster than action - Walter Anderson

    Edge's CI - 3:55pm

    Yatta! The horrible feedback email is finally done! Wohoo! *pats self on the back with a grin*

    MITs:
    x send H feedback on designs
    - send H meeting materials
    - wash old litter box

    Other:
    x vitamins
    x hmed 1/2
    x fmed 1/2
    x blue med
    x put away groceries
    x kitty litter
    x laundry 1/2
    - laundry 2/2
    - clean room
    - hmed 2/2
    - fmed 2/2

    ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
    Nothing diminishes anxiety faster than action - Walter Anderson

    Edge's CI - 7:04pm

    MITs:
    x send H feedback on designs
    - send H meeting materials
    - ask T over for BBQ
    - cancel movies with R
    - wash old litter box
    - send last few day's work log

    Other:
    x vitamins
    x hmed 1/2
    x fmed 1/2
    x blue med
    x put away groceries
    x kitty litter
    x laundry 1/2
    x laundry 2/2
    x clean room
    - fold laundry
    - hmed 2/2
    - fmed 2/2

    ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
    Nothing diminishes anxiety faster than action - Walter Anderson

    Edge's CI - 1:45am (Thursday)

    MITs:
    x send H feedback on designs
    - send H meeting materials
    x ask T over for BBQ
    x cancel movies with R
    - wash old litter box
    - send last few day's work log

    Other:
    x vitamins
    x hmed 1/2
    x fmed 1/2
    x blue med
    x put away groceries
    x kitty litter
    x laundry 1/2
    x laundry 2/2
    x clean room
    - fold laundry
    x hmed 2/2
    x fmed 2/2

    ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
    Nothing diminishes anxiety faster than action - Walter Anderson

    Nice work, Edge!

    Good to see your done list growing!  Give's me inspiration! 

    Thanks, Wolf!

    You've been doing well as well! Huzzah for us! :grin:

    ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
    Nothing diminishes anxiety faster than action - Walter Anderson

    Congrats, Edge!

    *Pats Edge on the back*

    Thanks, Kromer! =D

    ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
    Nothing diminishes anxiety faster than action - Walter Anderson

    Convalaria trying again.

    THE BACKLOG is a very visible result of my procrastination. 
    There are other effects of it as well.  I find it difficult to think and plan ahead and procrastinate about thinking about my tasks.  Makes life very stressfull and reactive. Anyway....Today I have to provide care and foodfor my mother, make major headway with THE BACKLOG, attend an appointment, walk the dog and care for me and the house.....

    It is 8.35. Here is the plan:

    • deal with mother
    • work on backlog for 30 minutes
    • shower, dress etc
    • work on backlog for 30 minutes
    • think about dinner
    • work on backlog for 30 minutes
    • report back at 12 noon I hope.

     

    Convalaria checking in at 10.11am thursday

    Mother has been cared for, medication has been taken, list of errands for this afternoon hasbeen made. Now for some BACKLOG.

    Breaking THE BACKLOG  down:

    • I will spend 30 minutes working on year 11 projects.  I have already started  this task so it should be possible to finish it in a short period of time.
    • then I will record the availiable year 11 information.

    Convalaria a12.30pm Wednesday

    Yippee!!!!
    I worked onTHE BACKLOG for 80 Minutes. Year 11 projects about half done. Other things I mananged to do included an errands list for this afternoon, a conversation with a visiting pharmacist for my mother, medication for me and a text message to my brother organising my mothers care.  Now I need to: 

    • shower and dress etc...
    • feed mother and self lunch
    • continue with year 11 projects and records
    • log in when finished or at 2.30 before I do errands

    another check in by Convalaria

     Most of above accomplished but...
    No further progress on THE BACKLOG.
    Time can fly when I am busy. I have not procrastinated today.
    Dinner prepared so that when I return I have something to feed mother, son and myself. 
    Nearly ready to do errands.
    Will come back and post tonignt.
    Good luck to all who are about to start their Wednesday,

    Convalaria Success!

    Convalaria wrote:

    Yippee!!!!
    I worked onTHE BACKLOG for 80 Minutes. Year 11 projects about half done.

    Movingalong replies:
     

    Good job, Convalaria!

    Great work on the year 11 material! I know exactly what it feels like have a daunting and ever growing backlog to contend with! Don't let the anxiety take over, just concentrate on one or two tasks from the backlog and leave the rest for the next day - that way you will get some of it done instead of worry about all of it and procrastinate :-)

    I usually get caught up in worrying about the end result and never get anything done :-p The best tip I ever got to overcome this is not to think about the end result. Just concentrate on working on the task at hand and things will end well.

    Hope today goes well! *hugs*

    ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
    Nothing diminishes anxiety faster than action - Walter Anderson