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.
Procrastination is the grave in which opportunity is buried.
Sammy ci :: 11:40 pm
DONE!
No more marketing papers, no more web design homework, no more photo shoots (ok, that one i'm sad about...), and no more technical reporting (YESSSSS!!).
Expecting a big snow storm tonight....to which I say: "Bring it on, weatherman!" Too bad I have to work 10-6 tomorrow...It would have been a good day for building snowmen!
My best best best guy friend is coming home from college tomorrow...so naturally I'm PSYCHED. ANNNNDDDDD my best best best girl friend is coming home tomorrow too. Tomorrow will be a good day, I think!
Kristen CO, midnight
Well, I haven't accomplished everything I had hoped to today.
But I have an exam in the morning, and I want to be rested for that.
So I'm not going to stay up trying to work and being unproductive—instead I am going to bed almost at my midnight goal, and then tomorrow I will deal with my tasks feeling more refreshed and able to work. :)
Mollie's Check-out Midnite
Woohoo! Both piles on desk gone. Totally. Every last scrap of paper trashed, filed, or dealt with. Wow. That feels really good. And the desk looks great. Gotta figure out a suitable reward for myself. I have a tendency to skip rewards, but I suspect they matter, so I'll post what I come up with. 'Night all. :-)
Rewards
After having written that I was going to reward myself for getting rid of the piles on the desk, I totally forgot about a reward as soon as I walked away from the computer & didn't remember til I reread what I wrote last night. There is an intrinsic reward in looking at the cleared off desk and enjoying the accomplishment. So maybe that's enough.
forgetting
i do this too. plan to do something, then get up from the table and immediately forget. This behavior in me is tied into the guilt / fear of failure stuff, i think. It's like i'm esacping or something from what i just said i'd do. That's not quite it, but something like that.
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fall down seven times, get up eight - japanese proverb
procrastinating with time mgmt tools: http://www.procrastinators-anonymous.org/node/1114#comment-23050
pro's check-out - 11pm
My teeth are brushed and I'm ready for bed, which is good. I want to get to bed early.
Good night!
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Procrastination is the grave in which opportunity is buried.
Mollie's 10:30pm CI
Still working on the pile. I filed some stuff and then dealt w/some other things. It's only about 2" high now, which is fairly amazing. I'm gonna try going through every piece of paper quickly to deal with whatever I can deal with easily (e.g., trash or file), before I go back to the items that actually require some action.
Mollie's 11:20pm CI
Still whittling away at the pile. Got rid of the easy stuff. Dealt w/some of the other stuff. Did a bit of sorting of the remainder. Trying not to get discouraged when I notice other piles hanging around that I'd somehow forgotten about or not noticed (e.g., one on each of two file cabinets). Gotta stay focused on the fact that I can see the majority of my desktop for the first time in months. I'm debating staying up til I get through what's left. I'll give it another 15 minutes & see where I am at that point.
pro's CI - 9:25pm
I filed insurance claims for my last two therapy appointments, and refilled three prescriptions - two mail order, one local.
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Procrastination is the grave in which opportunity is buried.
pro's CI - 8:40pm
I checked on my personal training refund and it's not there yet, so I emailed the personal training manager to ask about it.
I'm going to log into my health insurance account now to submit some claims and reorder some prescriptions through the mail.
I want to get something done today besides cooking so I don't feel so annoyed with myself.
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Procrastination is the grave in which opportunity is buried.
Recycler CI 8:35pm EST
Hi Pro Buddies!
Somehow I started surfing the net when I got home, and almost forgot to CI!
This morning I went to the gym, stretched & did my routine. I showered & got dressed for work. Took some stuff across the street to the new condo. Did projects at work. Had a lunch that I liked, and paid 2 bills. After lunch, worked on some projects that are due on Friday. After work, did an errand on the way to my massage appt. Tonight I've checked all my usual websites lol, so now it's time to write an email to my friend in Singapore.
Have a great night, everyone! :)
Recycler
Thank you, gals & guys, for being here! :)
pro's CI - 8:20pm
There weren't as many people in the chatbox today, and everyone left pretty early. I missed having the company there!!
I did get some things done today. I didn't take time for self-care, which is bad. I didn't even make it to a meeting. Here's what I did:
- Cleaned wax off menorrah (which was a technical puzzle).
- Made cranberry sauce (ate some, froze the rest).
- Made bread (had one slice off the end - rest is cooling).
- Washed all the dishes.
- Signed second contract and mailed it.
- Went to grocery store.
- Applied for two jobs at Microsoft and wrote to friend at Microsoft for help connecting with people-who-can-hire.
I feel guilty for not doing more today - especially not working on the two contractual jobs I have - but the cooking took a long time. I can't keep eating out - I spend more money on food than any other single item. Buying only "raw materials" - nothing processed - saves a huge amount of money. It won't always take up my whole day. I have prepared food in the freezer now.
Cooking at home is also good for my health, and I'm hoping it will lead to weight loss. When I eat out all the time I tend to gain weight, and I've gained weight (from a couple years of eating out all the time).
I'm disgusted that I didn't even go to a meeting today. Tomorrow I'll get more done - no sense beating myself up. It's not like I was watching TV and playing solitaire all day (which I've done!). But maybe I'll watch a movie now and go to bed early. I've been staying up too late.
Hopefully there will be more people in the chatbox tomorrow. I really like company there - it's super helpful.
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Procrastination is the grave in which opportunity is buried.
it all sounds yummy :)
Hi Pro!
That bread & everything sounds yummy! Congrats on your contracts, & good luck with your applications! Talk to you later! :)
Recycler
Thank you, gals & guys, for being here! :)
MSS 4:32pm
Just one task for now. Need to write up assignments that were supposed to be done throughout the semester. Pointless as the final exam is over. However, it's on the outline as a course requirment. I'm not going to worry about quality as it's not really graded. Just do it and scan and email to prof.
MSS 5:03pm
Apparently, the professor already assigned me a grade for the course. I guess he didn't realize (or didn't care) that I didn't email him all the assignments. Another unwitting accomplice.
Mollie's 3:50pm CI
Wow! I've been away from this website for a really long time. Anyway... feeling like checking in could be very helpful today. Since I have a bad tendency to make long to do lists and then get overwhelmed, I'm gonna just put one thing on the list and check back once I get it done -- clear the pile of papers and detritus from the right-hand side of my desk. I'll be back. :-)
hi mollie
welcome back. looking forward to seeing you recover with us.
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fall down seven times, get up eight - japanese proverb
procrastinating with time mgmt tools: http://www.procrastinators-anonymous.org/node/1114#comment-23050
Hi Mollie, I like your cat friends :)
Hi Mollie!
I like your cat friends! Arf arf! :)
Recycler
Thank you, gals & guys, for being here! :)
Hi Recycler
Thanks! I look your cute pooch, too!
Mollie's 4:15pm CI
OK. That was progress. I can see the right side of my desk & there are no papers or junk on it. First time in days. Actually, might be the first time in weeks or months. Next, write ltr to RF.
Mollie's 5:10pm CI
Wrote the letter & went to the post office to mail it & other stuff. Progress. :-) Now gonna take a break for a few minutes and then get rid of the pile on the left-hand side of my desk, which is bigger than the one on the right was.
Mollie's 6:10pm CI
Definitely made a dent in the pile on the left. Not done, but gotta go have dinner and be with family. Feeling better than I was. :-) Thanks, pro, and all, for being here.
inspiring to hear that you
inspiring to hear that you got rid of all the desk piles Mollie.
(I have unconquered desk piles in a big way, more like geological strata thought not quite as old.)
Glad you were inspired. :-)
I haven't gotten rid of *all* the desk piles, yet. But one and a half, which is pretty darned good. Gonna work on the remaining half now. :-) And at some future point, I'll work on the three piles on the floor, the two piles on the other desk, and the three plus boxes full of unfiled "stuff."
Convalaria FRIDAY 6.45am
Last day at work.
Consequence of procrastination...I am having next year off. Long story.
Mixed feelings.
Todays tasks....(should have been done earlier)
"Recovery from procrastination means doing what you say you're going to do, when you say you're going to do it."
(((hugs))) convalaria
I have been there: it can be a huge gift. Keep being here, lots of love, e
"Even if you're on the right track, you'll get run over if you just sit there." - William Penn
me 2 ... err... me 7
Let me add my positive feelings, convalaria. I hope that it all works out well for you!
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fall down seven times, get up eight - japanese proverb
procrastinating with time mgmt tools: http://www.procrastinators-anonymous.org/node/1114#comment-23050
good luck to you, Convalaria!
Hi Convalaria!
Good luck to you! I hope you will be around here with us! :)
Recycler
Thank you, gals & guys, for being here! :)
{{{Convalaria}}} I wish
{{{Convalaria}}}
I wish you strength right now and hope it's a year of healing. I can't imagine what it's like, except that it must be hard. I admire your honesty and persistence here.
It is nice to see the smile faces on your list today.
Convalaria's clean slate
Are you getting the next year off with pay? Sounds sort of like, from what you say. In any case, I hope the year is very productive and healing for you. I'm finding my unemployment to be very productive and healing - truly a new start.
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Procrastination is the grave in which opportunity is buried.
Sending support to Convalaria
Hugs to you, dear sister.
hugs to Convalaria
I'm really sorry to hear that! It must be really rough.
I know you've been making progress here, and I know that you can keep making progress over the next year. And I applaud you for keeping up with check-ins despite this setback.
My prayers are with you.
Convalaria!
I am so sorry to hear this. I have also seen that you are making improvements. As you said you can "see the coming 58 weeks as a new opportunity to wipe the slate clean, restart recovery and begin again".
Our thoughts and prayers will be with you, I know this is difficult for you.
Jo
"Hard work must have killed someone." - Charles Gregory
Kristen CI 2:15
- math study session
- go through papers and recycle unnecessary stuff (bring rest home)
- pack all non-essentials
- 30 minutes on linear algebra
- get together w/ math kids
- spend time on english paper—a thesis would be great
- acting paper—2 hours
- bed by midnight, 2 alarms for 8
Kristen CI 7:30
Ok, I haven't been using my time very effectively. I started making a packing list and that's about it. I won't be able to do that whole list now, so here's a revised version:
- math study session- packing—just clothes for now
- group meeting
- 30 minutes reviewing stuff we didn't cover as group
- 30 minutes on English paper if time allows
- finish acting paper
- bed by midnight!
And no more YouTube for today. It's far too distracting. ;)
Chick's CI
Today I had a lot of small tasks I dreaded and feared. I have done them all!
[x]yg note
[x]info
[x]cm note
[x]f thing x2
[x] s
[x] cw
[x]l books/fines
I just stayed at my desk and kept starting, a different way of thinking--I'll just start that one now instead of: I have to get all that done. Being really calm works better for me than willpower. Now I have have some things left that could be done, some that need to be done, but not necessarily today. After several days of 12+ hours work/meetings/ appointments, now a bit of time off is the niext IT. In the next few days I need to post about taking stock, clutter and the big scary projects--there, I still need to find progress.
chick update
Procrastination and workaholism 2 sides of a coin: both addictions & obsessions
I got back from the party at almost midnight and thought: I can work, I should work.
Then I thought: I could choose to work, but I am not going to. I need to relearn how to have non-work time.
go chick
what a great accomplishment. thanks for sharing ur joy w/ us!
gratz chick!
That's fantastic that you got all those scary tasks done! I'm really impressed (and hope some of your progress will rub off on me :) ) Enjoy your time off!
thanks kromer, thanks
thanks kromer, thanks clem.
it's so unfamiliar to me to say-done, enough for the day. In real life, of course one is never done--every thing is constant process. Keeping house above all. When I don't accept that it's a process, I sometimes do nothing, the all or nothing mentality. Just do a bit, I can do that now works much better. I have known people who really were the opposite of procrastinators. Without exception they were good at saying 'done' and rewarding themselves.
Sometimes I wonder if procrastination starts with a negative self-evaluation--I am a bad person/will people love me anyway/I'm not good enough--whatever. And then one procrastinates in order to create the external reality to match the inner feeling.
So it's weird but it's a kind of effort this evening to say: I did my list! :) And ot get used to the good feeling. And I confess I'm still tempted to do a bit of one of tomorrows to-dos when I get back late from this party! :blush:
self image & procras
yes, chick, i feel a connection between low self-image and procras. I'm not sure it feels to me like i try to make them match. I think for me it's more like the low self image makes me predict that i'm going to fail. Past failures stay with me and become what i expect of myself. I dont take successes as seriously.
I think, for me, there is always *some* truth in my negative self-talk, which makes it very hard to see it for what it is. If it were flat-out wrong, that'd be easy, but if it's just exaggerated or unbalanced, that's much harder to see.
Of course, these past few days i've been successful and felt stress right after. I think that's similar to your not wanting to say 'done for the day'. I think they phenomena are related. I'm afraid, or something, to be happy about my accomplishments.
testing some colored text
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fall down seven times, get up eight - japanese proverb
procrastinating with time mgmt tools: http://www.procrastinators-anonymous.org/node/1114#comment-23050
Sammy ci :: 9:30 am
MUST FINISH WEB DESIGN FINAL!!
Sammy ci :: 2:35 pm
Making lots and lots of progress! Still wish I had started this yesterday, though.
pro's CI - 10:10am (heading to the chatbox)
I'm dressed, and I cleaned the menorrah. Now I need to make the bed and plan my day. Heading to the chatbox...
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Procrastination is the grave in which opportunity is buried.
Hi Pro :)
Hi Pro!
What kind of menorrah do you have? There are so many pretty kinds :)
8:35pm. Oh, I see your post below: a brass one :)
Talk to you later! :)
Recycler
Thank you, gals & guys, for being here! :)
CL ci
9:18am : have started working on MIT 1 (left over from last night) and looked at MIT 2. set timer (which i see didnt go off) and using chat (as usual).
2:12pm : MIT 1-5 done. wow. how rarely have i every said those words. I feel very grateful for the path HP has lead me on to get to this point. and still... this is just today's achievement. day by day.
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fall down seven times, get up eight -- japanese proverb
hey, reading that you said
hey, reading that you said 'done' too makes me really think this place is a source of recovery!
Congrats, clement!!
Impressive work. :)
fall down seven times, get up eight
saw this quote that suits me perfectly in someone else's signature in another forum (where i had to stop procrastinating). It's the first line of my sig below:
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fall down seven times, get up eight - japanese proverb
procrastinating with time mgmt tools: http://www.procrastinators-anonymous.org/node/1114#comment-23050
Journey 9 am
Good morning! I was starving when I got to work so I had coffee and cereal first thing. I think I'm going out to lunch today with a friend I haven't seen in a while.
I turned in my annual review to my boss yesterday, and I'm on vacation next week so I'm totally unmotivated to do any work today and tomorrow :) However, I do want to complete this phase of the tedious project P (development systems) before the end of the year. I promised the boss I would complete the QA and Production systems by June of next year, and I need to meet that date since I missed my date this year. Not totally my fault, as I had some unplanned projects dropped in my lap, but still it was a missed date. Obviously this is not a high priority project, but it's an audit thing so it has to be done. Terribly boring though!
I've been to the gym, read email, and checked my calendar. The only meeting today is the lunch and learn class, which I'm blowing off for my lunch date :) I will set my MITs for the day and plan my schedule, then return in the chat box to chat myself through the tasks.
I can't say enough about how much the chat box helps. It's like my first IT job when I shared a cubicle with people I really enjoyed working with. I like the privacy of an office, but it does contribute to procrastination. When I had the coworkers nearby it was easy to turn around and say 'I'm going to do this now' and then vent about the problems or issues that arose. Sometimes we procrastinated by chatting too much but mostly it was a situation that was very conducive to work. AH, the good old days . ..
Getting to work now!
Jo
"Hard work must have killed someone." - Charles Gregory