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.
Welcome! I just joined this community today and did a check in (CI) and chat and had a very inspirational day as a result. I'm looking forward to lots of progress.
I am checking in and hope to get some stuff done this evening. I tend to use the excuse "I'm too tired" to do things that I want to do. I am working on changing this routine.
Tonight- 1. take pup for walk 2. straighten lawn 3. 2 loads of wash 4. make dinner 5. email to C. 6. zs homework6. update report list 7. prep for c.
I have noticed that when I have a really productive day, the evening and the next day are full of demand resistance. Particularly when the productive day has involved clearing the backlogged items that I've been guilty or very anxious about. After doing these big things, I feel emotionally drained, and also like I should be able to reward myself for my action by not having to do anything else. Since I'm not used to accomplishing the "big things" I don't know sometimes what is a reasonable reward and what is justifying more procrastination. Sigh.
Also, when I get lax about not doing morning check-in online, and skimp on my prayers and meditation, I get off-track. The morning phone call is critical but so is the act of writing it down. In fact, all the tools (phone, daily CI board, and chatbox) seem like they answer slightly different needs, and if I don't use them the day is not pleasant.
With that said, I did only some of the self-care I needed to do this morning (went for a walk, but that was it). I overcame a huge barrier by meeting with A and then faxing record to finalize a process needed to get paid. (Yay, getting paid.) I then made the phone call that is the next step in the post-payment process. But I am resisting making another phone call that is overdue by almost a year...and now it's really too late to do it today, and I am upset with myself. Thank God I have a phone CI call this afternoon. Right now I am going to do the neglected self-care.
I think you are doing wonderfully. It took me a long time (and still is taking me a long time) to take steps in the right direction on things for which I have a lot of fear. I am gradually learning to embrace the 'easy does it' slogan: I have always been the most critical of myself and it has often been my undoing. Now I am beginning to see that every little step is to be celebrated and if I do so without looking at what I have not yet accomplished I generally make better progress. I have the same pattern: have a productive day and then a slow day. I am beginning to feel that the recovery days are important: they allow me to regroup and digest the difficult emotions that come up from taking fearful steps.
In any case, I just wanted to say how lovely it has been to have you here. You are a blessing to my recovery.
*wipes tears* I can't possibly thank you enough for all that you do for me in my recovery. When you share your experiences, wisdom, and words of encouragement every day (even on the weekends ), it helps to transform my way of thinking, reacting, and acting. Even the simplest things you say--down to your signature--give hope and support. Every day we all learn something new that we would never have learned without everyone here. These days, I am even grateful for being a procrastinator, since that's what it took to get me to PA--the vehicle for my spiritual growth. And, after all, that's the purpose of being here in the first place! *lots of big hugs*
The book was just ok, but had a few good tips, especially this one which I've been using lately and it's really helping!:
When you catch yourself procrastinating, take a moment to think about the activity that you are avoiding. Ask yourself 'Why do I need to do this task, and why am I avoiding it?' This has given me a great deal of insight! Usually, when I think about it, I'm avoiding something because 1) It's scary and I might not do it well 2) It's boooooring 3) It's hard or 4) I don't really want to finish because I'm not sure what to do next.
Try it!
Jo
'Today you have the opportunity to handle those old situations in a completely new way.' - Michael J. Emery
call wj3 about registration probs; folo up with dd
respond to db and cl about eval rept
partner rfp brainstorm call 1300
summarize brainstorm for rr
primer text
sched actions from yellow notepad
planning: rm budget
send anncmt to all ap's on wf3 resources
fwd kt email to ap's
dry run 1530
make any changes from dry run
have the hard talk with 3f
buy ofc supplies
decide what to do about vacation(s)
call MIL and SIL (surg 6/16?)
estate inventory
insurance claim
20-minute microburst on bills pile
LATER this week:
call J2 for help with bookcase assembly
decide what to do about new self-appointed bff
decide what to do for Memorial Day weekend; options are painting the office, cleaning and painting the porch, camping at the beach, camping in the woods
find out where to recycle telephone books
inventory paint supplies
commit to a beginner's sewing lesson Schedule 20-minute microbursts for bills pile - medicare pile - 2008 corp taxes
I didn't mean to rewrite my entire check-in post - thought I was posting a reply to my own check-in post but must have keyed wrong - oh well. what a great example of letting go - no opportunity to rest on my laurels admiring all my "DONE!"s today!
"Routine is the shark cage that lets me swim safely in the real world." Anonymous
Today 7:15 - Get up & ready
7:45 - Leave
9 - 10:30 - NE Order 10:30 - pick up - Check on bills & check email, Edit session
Order prints for next week
Wednesday
Plant AJS & LE
Move 2 loads
Clean kitty water & other kitty things
Either tomorrow or sometime BEFORE Friday:
Laundry -- ONE LOAD DONE, NEED TO PUT AWAY AND DO ONE MORE
Pack for weekend
Refill travel containers
Order G-Q.A.
Friday
Water plants
Pack coolers
Pack last minute stuff
Shower earlier rather than later (by 2 pm would be nice)
Weekend
Watch DVR
To Do soon - reminders so I don't forget
Call Dr. W.
Sal Check
_________
LookAtYourselfAndWhatYourDoin'RightNow-StandBackAMinuteJustToCheckYourselfOut-StraightenOutYourLifeAndHowYou'reLivin'EachDay-JustKeepYourEyesOnThePrizeAndYourFeetFlatOnTheGround-MJ's "Keep the Faith"
Yesterday finished on a high note after a wonderful f2f meeting with others joining us from the phone bridge. A great sense of fellowship and recovery! I got home, washed up the dishes, drank my evening cocoa, got to bed at a reasonable hour and slept well. Woke on time naturally this morning, feeling good. got up, made up the bed, put away the dishes, took my first medication, boiled some eggs for today and other breakfasts, took a shower, made the 8:30 phone check in. Ate a very healthy breakfast, which is getting more habitual to do.
Now I am ready to start the rest of my day.
MIT: making healthy food to have on hand when I need it. It is going to be quite hot today, so I would like to get dinner set up so that I don't have to cook tonight. Fruit salad, couscous, tomato cucumber salad. If I marinade it G will grill steak tonight.
Work at 1:30 with V. I need to prepare for that by reading the article she gave me.
Personal paperwork: find and fax in the proof of purchase for broken clock radio before the warranty is up. This has been broken since last September! renew registration online. fill in FAFSA to be filed tomorrow. check bank statement.
launder. swish and wipe the bath. set up a shredding station on the back porch to get rid of some papers. Collate papers by category.
MIT: get the dishes done early, start bedtime ritual at 10. pray.
Early to work today! I also went back to the gym this morning. I couldn't do everything in my class but I did most of it! I'm on vacation the rest of the week woot! Unless I change my mind about tomorrow . . . we were supposed to go to the Botanical Gardens for my daughter's bday but now she is planning to be hungover so we may not go!
Jo
'Today you have the opportunity to handle those old situations in a completely new way.' - Michael J. Emery
MITs:
*Finish EA's project (1-2 hrs)
*Work on VAD comp (about 3 hrs) [work off detailed breakdown from yesterday]
I'd like to get gene/functional ovlp done, make GOslim sets] (working on this now0
*Email about phenome sets (15 min)
*Grades stuff (1 hr)
Fun:
Dancing 8-10
Other tasks:
*Orders/figure out supplies (1 hr)
*Call IA
*Work more on VAD project (extract promoters and motif) [1 hr]
OK, I'm going to start w/ 30 min on the VAD comp project (GOslim sets), then I'll work on EA"s project until lab mtg, then after cell cycle I'll finish up EA"s project and work more on VAD comp. Heading to chatbox now.
Didn't get much done before work owing to life getting in the way :) but
that's okay... so:
Commute:
Prayer time :)
Work:
Train times for D :)
Files for L - In progress
Finance training :)
Circulate AC mins :) E filing (12:00)
D filing
Tidy desk
Make work plan Unpack & distribute stationery Get HD box - delegated :)
Got Everything Check: phone, pass, wallet :)
Lunchbreak:
Email/facebook/lj/forum :)
Get some air :)
After work:
Clear kitchen :)
Sort bike stuff
Vitamins :)
Dog face wash
Brush teeth, floss, wash face, moisturise, clean contacts properly
Tomorrow's list
Email report
Check in :)
- checked the lat tool, got an idea how to proceed, will spend the next hr editing the tables i've made so far & try to be finished with these by then
- was interrupted because the library was being evacuated - exciting... luckily, it turned out to be a false alarm. had my lunchbreak early therefore. now back to the tables.
- done with editing the tables.
- done with references.
- done with checking tables & content
This took much longer than i thought but that's ok. i feel good! i haven't been lazy and i haven't been procrastinating. instead i worked straight for more than 4 hrs and by now am pretty satisfied with the results.
Time to go to the shops, grab some stuff for cooking & get home. if i'll have time, i might do some more work later.
shopping & cooking done
i definitely still have to write that email & make that call! a look at A1 would also be good. let's see.
* breakfast meeting 1015 (need to plan out the day)
* T2M Document (resisted yesterday - want to make progress today)
* CR Documents x4 (resisted yesterday - even a little progress today would be good)
* AOP Status report (mechanical editing job - boring - but important)
* Reschedule Thr meetings (full day workshop - so Fri will be busy)
* Collect my daughter when she arrives in Dublin (evening)
* Spend time with my daughter, healthy meal together (evening)
* Meditation, Tai Chi, PA Check-out (before bed - dont stay up late)
The items I resisted yesterday have a high risk of criticism from others for (a) their lateness and (b) incompleteness of technical detail. I have made a commitment to myself that I will deliver them this week regardless. Better imperfect then not at all.
inspirational post
... from Steven Pressfield, author of The War of Art:
http://www.stevenpressfield.com/2010/05/do-it-anyway/
Wow, that's great!
Welcome, Mefbiz :-)
First time log in
Hello everyone,
Just testing out my first post. Looking forward to participating in this community.
mefbiz
Welcome
Mefbiz,
Welcome! I just joined this community today and did a check in (CI) and chat and had a very inspirational day as a result. I'm looking forward to lots of progress.
Welcome mefbiz!
Welcome mefbiz!
welcome mefbiz!
See you around the site. Daily check-ins are a great help to me, as is Chat at times. Glad you found your way here.
"Routine is the shark cage that lets me swim safely in the real world." Anonymous
Productive day today.
Productive day today. Turned in my appeal and checked out a book I've been wanting to for a while.
Now going to write 800 words. Be back at 8 to talk about my progress.
Tootles.
Did well. :3 No more
Did well. :3 No more snacking till 12. I'm gonna try to sleep at 10 because my schedule's all off.
Ciao.
Potential Energy 6
Hello everyone.
I am checking in and hope to get some stuff done this evening. I tend to use the excuse "I'm too tired" to do things that I want to do. I am working on changing this routine.
Tonight- 1. take pup for walk 2. straighten lawn 3. 2 loads of wash 4. make dinner 5. email to C. 6. zs homework6. update report list 7. prep for c.
((Potential Energy))
Way to turn that into kinetic energy! (A bad joke, but I love your name and what it represents so much that I cannot resist.)
Kitty check-in
I have noticed that when I have a really productive day, the evening and the next day are full of demand resistance. Particularly when the productive day has involved clearing the backlogged items that I've been guilty or very anxious about. After doing these big things, I feel emotionally drained, and also like I should be able to reward myself for my action by not having to do anything else. Since I'm not used to accomplishing the "big things" I don't know sometimes what is a reasonable reward and what is justifying more procrastination. Sigh.
Also, when I get lax about not doing morning check-in online, and skimp on my prayers and meditation, I get off-track. The morning phone call is critical but so is the act of writing it down. In fact, all the tools (phone, daily CI board, and chatbox) seem like they answer slightly different needs, and if I don't use them the day is not pleasant.
With that said, I did only some of the self-care I needed to do this morning (went for a walk, but that was it). I overcame a huge barrier by meeting with A and then faxing record to finalize a process needed to get paid. (Yay, getting paid.) I then made the phone call that is the next step in the post-payment process. But I am resisting making another phone call that is overdue by almost a year...and now it's really too late to do it today, and I am upset with myself. Thank God I have a phone CI call this afternoon. Right now I am going to do the neglected self-care.
((Kitty))
I think you are doing wonderfully. It took me a long time (and still is taking me a long time) to take steps in the right direction on things for which I have a lot of fear. I am gradually learning to embrace the 'easy does it' slogan: I have always been the most critical of myself and it has often been my undoing. Now I am beginning to see that every little step is to be celebrated and if I do so without looking at what I have not yet accomplished I generally make better progress. I have the same pattern: have a productive day and then a slow day. I am beginning to feel that the recovery days are important: they allow me to regroup and digest the difficult emotions that come up from taking fearful steps.
In any case, I just wanted to say how lovely it has been to have you here. You are a blessing to my recovery.
Success is not final, failure is not fatal
Thank you, e!
*wipes tears* I can't possibly thank you enough for all that you do for me in my recovery. When you share your experiences, wisdom, and words of encouragement every day (even on the weekends ), it helps to transform my way of thinking, reacting, and acting. Even the simplest things you say--down to your signature--give hope and support. Every day we all learn something new that we would never have learned without everyone here. These days, I am even grateful for being a procrastinator, since that's what it took to get me to PA--the vehicle for my spiritual growth. And, after all, that's the purpose of being here in the first place! *lots of big hugs*
I'm all verklempt
talk amongst yourselves. 'sniff'
group hug
Success is not final, failure is not fatal
Tip
As an admitted self-help book junkie, I found this book on Rhapsody so I listened to it:
by Productivity Secrets
The book was just ok, but had a few good tips, especially this one which I've been using lately and it's really helping!:
When you catch yourself procrastinating, take a moment to think about the activity that you are avoiding. Ask yourself 'Why do I need to do this task, and why am I avoiding it?' This has given me a great deal of insight! Usually, when I think about it, I'm avoiding something because 1) It's scary and I might not do it well 2) It's boooooring 3) It's hard or 4) I don't really want to finish because I'm not sure what to do next.
Try it!
Jo
'Today you have the opportunity to handle those old situations in a completely new way.' - Michael J. Emery
Agnus thinking ahead to Wednesday
A few carry-overs, plus some new MITs and MUTs:
LATER this week:
Agnus ooops
I didn't mean to rewrite my entire check-in post - thought I was posting a reply to my own check-in post but must have keyed wrong - oh well. what a great example of letting go - no opportunity to rest on my laurels admiring all my "DONE!"s today!
"Routine is the shark cage that lets me swim safely in the real world." Anonymous
Slowbro 5/25
My muscles are finally starting to bulk up. Only got half the things done on my list yesterday becuase of my lack of sleep.
9:30
shower/hygene/breakfast
Tidy up
call doc& insuremail lisa
12:00
Work
Library
5:00
Workout SKIPPED
clean out closets SKIPPED
sketchSKIPPED
Scribbler 10 a.m Central US
I did pretty well yesterday on my tasks. I didn't read a book that I needed to, nor did I start work on
a list of tips that I hope to turn into an e-book and use to generate extra money. But I did a lot of
stuff. Here's today's business:
- get up, read paper, eat a good breakfast- water tomato plant- take pills- post to check-ins for alcohol, gaming and procrastinating- check bills, update accounts
- donate to
SMART, OLGA,ACFC and Meals on Wheels to celebrate 100 days booze-free (gave to PAa week or so ago)
- plan day, check goals- Send query
- Deliver Meals On Wheels route
- Check RB's cat, water plants
- get new vehicle inspection sticker
- attach vehicle registration sticker
- check on date required to pay ticket
- read JH book
- take pills
- go for run (hill workout?)
- listen to NC's set at MEC
- work on a new song
- read an interesting book
- do 2-minute microburst on home repair - fix sink, maybe?
- go to bed by midnigh
congrats on 100 days
Congratulations on the 100 days, Scribbler
Its a miracle - and a great help to me that you noted it here.
re: congrats and thanks
Congrats from me too and thanks so much for supporting our fellowship!
Jo
'Today you have the opportunity to handle those old situations in a completely new way.' - Michael J. Emery
Prosick Check in 10:28 am
Today
7:15 - Get up & ready7:45 - Leave
9 - 10:30 - NE Order
10:30 - pick up - Check on bills & check email, Edit sessionOrder prints for next week
Wednesday
Plant AJS & LE
Move 2 loads
Clean kitty water & other kitty things
Either tomorrow or sometime BEFORE Friday:
Laundry -- ONE LOAD DONE,
NEED TO PUT AWAYAND DO ONE MOREPack for weekend
Refill travel containers
Order G-Q.A.
Friday
Water plants
Pack coolers
Pack last minute stuff
Shower earlier rather than later (by 2 pm would be nice)
Weekend
Watch DVR
To Do soon - reminders so I don't forget
Call Dr. W.
Sal Check
_________
LookAtYourselfAndWhatYourDoin'RightNow-StandBackAMinuteJustToCheckYourselfOut-StraightenOutYourLifeAndHowYou'reLivin'EachDay-JustKeepYourEyesOnThePrizeAndYourFeetFlatOnTheGround-MJ's "Keep the Faith"
5.25.10 Babarino ci
I am completely overwhelmed. there have been so many changes at work. I need help.
-15 min declutter
-vm
-mail
-make to-do list-then check back
((((Babarino))))
Ack I hate changes! Hang in there!
Jo
'Today you have the opportunity to handle those old situations in a completely new way.' - Michael J. Emery
e's plan for May 25th, 10
Yesterday finished on a high note after a wonderful f2f meeting with others joining us from the phone bridge. A great sense of fellowship and recovery! I got home, washed up the dishes, drank my evening cocoa, got to bed at a reasonable hour and slept well. Woke on time naturally this morning, feeling good. got up, made up the bed, put away the dishes, took my first medication, boiled some eggs for today and other breakfasts, took a shower, made the 8:30 phone check in. Ate a very healthy breakfast, which is getting more habitual to do.
Now I am ready to start the rest of my day.
MIT: making healthy food to have on hand when I need it. It is going to be quite hot today, so I would like to get dinner set up so that I don't have to cook tonight. Fruit salad, couscous, tomato cucumber salad. If I marinade it G will grill steak tonight.
Work at 1:30 with V. I need to prepare for that by reading the article she gave me.
Personal paperwork: find and fax in the proof of purchase for broken clock radio before the warranty is up. This has been broken since last September! renew registration online. fill in FAFSA to be filed tomorrow. check bank statement.
launder. swish and wipe the bath. set up a shredding station on the back porch to get rid of some papers. Collate papers by category.
MIT: get the dishes done early, start bedtime ritual at 10. pray.
peace y'all
Success is not final, failure is not fatal
Journey 9 am
Early to work today! I also went back to the gym this morning. I couldn't do everything in my class but I did most of it! I'm on vacation the rest of the week woot! Unless I change my mind about tomorrow . . . we were supposed to go to the Botanical Gardens for my daughter's bday but now she is planning to be hungover so we may not go!
Jo
'Today you have the opportunity to handle those old situations in a completely new way.' - Michael J. Emery
kromer 8:20 CI
Lots to do today!
Scheduled:
Lab mtg 10-12, cell cycle club 12-1
MITs:
*Finish EA's project (1-2 hrs)
*Work on VAD comp (about 3 hrs) [work off detailed breakdown from yesterday]
I'd like to get gene/functional ovlp done, make GOslim sets] (working on this now0
*Email about phenome sets (15 min)
*Grades stuff (1 hr)
Fun:
Dancing 8-10
Other tasks:
*Orders/figure out supplies (1 hr)
*Call IA
*Work more on VAD project (extract promoters and motif) [1 hr]
OK, I'm going to start w/ 30 min on the VAD comp project (GOslim sets), then I'll work on EA"s project until lab mtg, then after cell cycle I'll finish up EA"s project and work more on VAD comp. Heading to chatbox now.
huma CI
ck tiresupload web adscall Dan re emailsTDC 13TDC 14TDC 15TDC 16TDC 17TDC 18"A year from now, you may wish you had started today." - Karen Lamb
"Fall down seven times, stand up eight." - Japanese proverb
Lucky CI
Didn't get much done before work owing to life getting in the way :) but
that's okay... so:
Commute:
Prayer time :)
Work:
Train times for D :)
Files for L - In progress
Finance training :)
Circulate AC mins :)
E filing (12:00)D filing
Tidy desk
Make work plan
Unpack & distribute stationery
Get HD box - delegated :)Got Everything Check: phone, pass, wallet :)
Lunchbreak:
Email/facebook/lj/forum :)
Get some air :)
After work:
Clear kitchen :)
Sort bike stuff
Vitamins :)
Dog face wash
Brush teeth, floss, wash face, moisturise, clean contacts properly
Tomorrow's list
Email report
Check in :)
Rexroth Check In
Done:
Up prayer reflection
Bath etc
Checked emails
Todo:
Get ready and go out to lunch with brother and family
Regards Rexroth
Rexroth Check Out
Done and now for bed I am so tired.
tuffl CI
TO DO:
tables - try out dc, multic, lat / references / check
A1 -mod?
A2
H
email S
call JN
shopping
cooking
progress
tables
- checked the lat tool, got an idea how to proceed, will spend the next hr editing the tables i've made so far & try to be finished with these by then
- was interrupted because the library was being evacuated - exciting... luckily, it turned out to be a false alarm. had my lunchbreak early therefore. now back to the tables.
- done with editing the tables.
- done with references.
- done with checking tables & content
This took much longer than i thought but that's ok. i feel good! i haven't been lazy and i haven't been procrastinating. instead i worked straight for more than 4 hrs and by now am pretty satisfied with the results.
Time to go to the shops, grab some stuff for cooking & get home. if i'll have time, i might do some more work later.
shopping & cooking done
i definitely still have to write that email & make that call! a look at A1 would also be good. let's see.
made that call
+ did cd
+ checked something in the internet
my first PA morning check-in :-)
*
arise 0730 (done)* phone call to loved one 0800 (done)* laundry re-org 0830 (done)* depart 0900 (done)* listen to meditation cd in car (done)* walk in park 0930 (done)* arrive at office 1000 (was a bit early - yay)* check-in to PA 1000 (in progress)
* breakfast meeting 1015 (need to plan out the day)
* T2M Document (resisted yesterday - want to make progress today)
* CR Documents x4 (resisted yesterday - even a little progress today would be good)
* AOP Status report (mechanical editing job - boring - but important)
* Reschedule Thr meetings (full day workshop - so Fri will be busy)
* Collect my daughter when she arrives in Dublin (evening)
* Spend time with my daughter, healthy meal together (evening)
* Meditation, Tai Chi, PA Check-out (before bed - dont stay up late)
The items I resisted yesterday have a high risk of criticism from others for (a) their lateness and (b) incompleteness of technical detail. I have made a commitment to myself that I will deliver them this week regardless. Better imperfect then not at all.
Respect
Paul
Elina, tue
Today:
-moderate lunch, kitchen cleaning
-check e-mails, reply too
-talk with the woman from academy
-check social networks
-shower, hair, skin care, make-up.
-12 step literature, meditation
-sort clothes at least 10 minutes.
In recovery
E
-When I look into the future, it is so bright it burns my eyes ~ Oprah Windfrey