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, December 25th 2008
Today...if I had to choose one thing, I would do one form of exercise. What will you choose?
Christmas decorations added by pro.
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Today I spent the entire
Today I spent the entire day doing everything that I didn't need to do immediately, i.e. personal busy work: chopping off my nails mopping the floors, mopping the patio, doing the laundry, making myself a nutritious lunch and breakfast, procrastinating on going to my other 12 step meeting (*sigh*). I understand that I'm not supposed to be trying to fit everything into one day, but the thing that makes me crazy is that I really do have to get done several things at once, and I procrastinate to the point that I don't have the option of doing several of them, only one. It's like I can't make decisions. I understand that this is either a symptom of my codependency or a symptom of my procrastination. One of my major problems is not making decisions for myself about what is most important to do. I know this is so, because often I set out what is most important, but I don't do it, or I meditate on one particular thing obsessively and then occasionally flake out on myself. It's really disturbing. I've read many books, one of which First Things First by Covey, but I don't think that reading helps me in this addiction. I gained confidence in my ability to do small things first, and still I backslided on being able to set priorities and honor priorities. Like every addict, I always believed that if I did the one thing, then I'd have that silver bullet and most of my problems would be resolved, or at least the problems promised to be addressed by the certain thing. I even once, believed the very same thing about 12 step programs-- that if I just did the 12 steps then I'd be cured. Hah hah. For example, I thought if I read a certain book on X, I'd be absolved of X, or that if I practiced the suggestions in the book, I'd also be on the right track, but no, that's not how it works. Oddly enough I can't read myself out of my problems. Action begets action. Success is a matter of momentum for me. I must find another way.
I hate cold weather, but this is not about the weather. If it were 80 degrees, I'm sure I'd find another excuse to stay indoors. Getting back to the point I was trying to make, I procrastinate as a means of removing myself from the decision-making process. I procrastinate in other ways, and for other reasons as well, but for now i just want to address this one issue that i have. It's not so much that i hate this attribute of myself; if I at least hated this habit, it would be terrific. I like the fact that I don't have to think about what to do, that I don't make the decision. I like that. I don't want to be responsible for making decisions. And I like to leave several agenda items floating in the air with the unrealistic possibility that I may accomplish any of them at any one time, because I don't want to admit to myself that some of them won't get done today or tomorrow or even this week. I don't like to be realistic about my personal goals. When it comes to work, I can be far more realistic about how long it takes me to do something, cuz I don't want to let down my boss and my team. F or some reason it matters , oh so much what they think and what my roommate thinks (enough that I actually take the garbage out, as promised), but when it comes to me--- when it comes to honoring my own promises to myself, or being realistic with myself, I just can't face my reality of my circumstances. And I don't want to.
Anyways, I was in a toss up as usual about whether to attend a 12 step meeting, or whether to work out, b/c I didn't feel so comfortable driving all the way to Long Beach, and I knew that i wouldn't work out if I went to the 12 step meeting at night. (There is no other meeting on Christmas). But it's a usual conundrum, even on non-holidays, nevermind that I'm totally intolerant of myself, if I don't exercise everyday. Now that I've waited so long that I can't go to the meeting, I guess I"m going to exercise. I simply hate it that I isolate like this, but I suppose saving the gas money is worthwhile as well. I just hate that for whatever reason I am socially isolated again and using the Internet to communicate. Not a good idea for me. Tomorrow, I really must go to a meeting in my other program. I'm going to print out the directions so that I can get there. Put the directions in my backpack, so I bring 'em with me to work, and mark it on my appointment book. I'm also setting my alarm clock so I wake up at 8:30am, and come on time to work, after shipping my text book. Stop laughing. That's early for me.
e wakeup call
fudo-shin said: "I procrastinate as a means of removing myself from the decision-making process". Dawn just broke over Marblehead, here. I don't know why this is try of me, but, I REALLY struggle over decision making. Part of it is perfectionism on my part: I don't want to disappoint, I also don't want to fail. And I don't want to succeed either, because then I have no excuse for not making other decisions which are put off with the excuse of fear.
I know, intellectually, that decisions are actually choices, which can be reversed if desired. But some decisions I don't want to face: they are too painful. I would rather other people take responsibility for them because then I can't be blamed for them.....
yuck, another lovely character trait raises its ugly head
Yes, indeed
The link between procrastination and decision-making resonated with me as well. Decision-making has been a chronic problem in my life (for me, best dealt with by grappling with a decision firmly and then making it swiftly). Delaying decisions has been one form of procrastination.
I'm just briefly commenting on this now, but seeing others raise it gives me food for more thought...
The Hero's Code:
Show up. Pay Attention. Speak the Truth. Let Go of the Outcome.
Convalaria's recovery; Friday 8.20 am
Another night of interrupted sleep. Ate cherries and an optifast bar at 2 am. GRRR!!
A new day and a new start.
Setting the timer for 1 hour.
Happy holidays to all at PA
JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ
MORNING and DAILY ROUTINE
OTHER TASKS
"Recovery from procrastination means doing what you say you're going to do, when you say you're going to do it."
Journey 11 am
Thanks for starting us out this morning fudo_shin, and Welcome. You will find a lot of support here.
Heading out to yet another holiday party. I would prefer to stay home and relax today but it is not to be. I don't plan to do any work today, just straighten the house enough for the kids to drop by. If I feel ambitious I might do a load of laundry.
I ate chocolate last night and woke up with a splitting headache this morning. I'm allergic to chocolate. OK in small amounts but last night I had way too much. chocolate pie and chocolate covered cherries O.o. Tasted good at the moment though!
Merry Christmas, Happy Hannukah, Happy Kwanzaa, Happy Holidays
and Best Wishes for a relaxed, happy, productive NEW YEAR!
Jo
"Hard work must have killed someone." - Charles Gregory
Recycler CI 5:45am EST
Hi Pro Buddies!
Thanks for the thread-starter, Fudo-Shin! If I had to pick one thing, I guess being in touch with my Higher Power will be it. Exercise is pretty high on my list, too, though, so I try to be at the gym at least 5 days a week. What kinds of exercise do you like to do? :)
Greetings to all. I am glad you are part of our on-line group! :) Have a great day! :) To anyone celebrating holidays today or during these weeks, I hope the holidays are special for you and your family and friends! :)
Up at dark thirty. Sometimes I wake up this morning, but don't always hop out of bed. However, I have things to do this morning before company arrives.
Typing this down helps me organize it in my mind. Take bicycle downstairs to parking garage at the new condo building & chain it to bicycle post. Ditto with baby stroller.
Have breakfast. Dining table is move-able, so dis-assemble it and take it across the street to the new condo.
Re-assemble kitchen table, cover with tablecloth. Add placemats & placesettings. De-can cranberry sauce & put it in refrigerator to chill.
Posting on PA last night gave me the extra focus to finish wrapping the last gifts, and to decorate the tree. (OK, it's "minimally decorated" but it's done!)
I will fix the same kind of Butterball turkey breast that we had at Thanksgiving -- they make a small boneless one that only takes 3 hours to cook. Figure out what time around 8am or 8:30 I need to put it in the oven, then remember to get it started.
Re putting moving boxes & bags in the side bedrooms. This is an extra episode of moving things around. To minimize the number of episodes, I have strategized to do this now that I am out of bed this morning. I will have to put things back this evening. ((sigh)). However, I am off from work the next 3 days, so hope to make progress in putting things where they are supposed to go, rather than stuffed in the boxes. We'll see ;)
Put fresh handtowels in the bathrooms.
Ok, this is more than enough to get me started this morning, lol! Will I get to update my CI later? Hmmm, I will need to be energetically working on things this morning; I'm not sure how often I will get to update. If not this morning, maybe around 4pm or later so I can wind down.
6:50am. Table legs are taken over to the new condo. I have come back for the table top, so decided to "rest" a minute by updating my CI ;) Took bicycle & baby stroller to the parking garage & locked them to the bicycle stand. Ate breakfast & remembered to take high blood pressure meds ;) Bagged up trash & took it out. Put welcoming holiday plant displays on stands at front entrance. Opened cranberry sauce & put it in refrigerator to chill. Put out fresh handtowels in bathrooms. I'm still moving things around in the new condo. This will continue to take a while. I need to work at a steady pace, but so far can do it without overly rushing ;) With the next portion of chores that I am going to get started on, I'm not sure if I will get to update again for a while.
8:45am. I needed to get the potholders so I had to run back to the rental condo for a minute, so I'm updating my CI while I am here. Turkey went into the oven at 8:30; it's the special turkey breast that will be ready about 11:30 (we will eat around noon). Dining table is set up with chairs, tablecloth, placemats, silverware, plates, & centerpiece. Kitchen is cleaned up.
Next: I only have a small TV, but I need to move it into the living room so we can watch the Disney parade (I'm hoping the parade will be on?) while visiting. Also, those moving boxes & bags -- I've been carrying stray ones when I walked near them this morning, then need to put the rest in the smaller bedroom. Company will be here around 10am, so I may not have time to update again before they are here.
4:20pm. Everything is done, & went well :) I didn't get the packages on the bows. I missed other minor details like that. However, Dad & Aunt Catherine had a great time, and that's what matters.
Today my CI ended up going into A Lot of Detail, lol. ((sigh)) Anyway, once again PA helped me get it all done, so thanks again Pro & all for such a great website! :)
Have a great day, everyone! :)
Recycler
Thank you, gals & guys, for being here! :)
Jogging, when not too
Jogging, when not too injured, and also like swimming, when I can fit it in. It's interesting that i was just watching a production of the San Francisco Ballet Nutcracker and remember how much I used to work hard at dance. 'Been thinking about how i may do dance again. Of course I also have done horsebackriding in my past too. But right now, jogging. I also like walking long distance.