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 August 19, 2010

Happy Thursday, everybody!!!

We're down to the end of the work week!

Have a great proactive day!!!

Peace Cool Cool Cool

Welcome back to Helen and Crazybug!

'You become what you think about most of the time.' - Brian Tracy

Thanks Journey!

I really do need PA. That's for sure!  I'll be checking in in the morning and trying to nudge myself back on a beneficial path.

 

Everyone here is so special.

Checking back

12:55 PM: Reporting back.

Goal 1: 9:35 AM - 12:35 PM: 9 cases in 3 hours.

Completed 10 cases. They were simple and short, mercifully, but I felt an inordinate amount of anxiety and a desire to avoid them thruout. Well, time to go run a few errands and decompress. Back later.

Goal 2: 5 - 7 PM: 6 cases in 2 hours.

Back to report.

 

(4change)

Sometimes slogans below help with the anxiety:

 Be self-led, not symptom-led. …..………………………………………......·          Nervous symptoms and sensations are distressing but not dangerous·         Comfort is a want, not a need. ...BREATH FOCUS ON BREATHING...THIS TOO SHALL PASS

Agnus checking in

so much good wisdom and things I relate to in everyone's posts today, thanks. I'm feeling unproducive but when I look at yesterday's lists I actually did accomplish most of what I had planned.  It was less procrastination than family/personal needs that ate up my work hours this week.

BUT it leaves me with the same consequences as procrastination - including the feelings of guilt and shame. Which may be why I've not procrastinated breakfast and Step 11, and it's almost 1pm.  Those feelings only lead back to escape/avoidance behaviours, so it's time to stop it right now and go finish my Step 11 and breakfast!

Back in :30 with my list.

(Agnus)

Wow, I can't believe you wrote exactly what I was feeling.Also with the guilt, shame, hopelessness, and self pity. I feel like I did in the first 8 years of oa, always trying to follow  a food plan and could not find something I could live with.

Your 2nd share was perfect. My HP is standing there, waiting to be noticed and all I do is ignore him, maybe because I just want to hide, I feel like such a disappointment. I would not want my kids to feel that way, so why do I think my HP would, back to family of origin alcoholic, insane growing up. I suppose it is the "disease" or whatever you want to call it with it's cunning, baffling powerful ways. So easy to see in others and so hard to see in self.

Thanks for sharing. Vic

 

Ag's list

Breakfst done, not much Step 11 but defintiely the asking HP for help! That's non-negotiable in my world these days.

knocked off one read-through and one phone call, and some J time. Next:

  • sb conf call now DONE
  • action items from same DONE
    • (added: check CA-MI-FL-TX-NC-GA,
    • draft outline,
    • strat)
  • wp call at 3
  • action from same
  • clear desk
  • clear Inbox

Crazybug CI (after long absence)

I've got about 1.5 more hours left in my work day. Not much accomplished this morning and I'm feeling down and defeated.  I took yesterday off to shop and do some self care thinking it would help me out of this 'slump' I'm in at work. Well, I guess that wasn't the answer.  I need to do a little meditating at some point about why I'm struggling at work so much right now, though I have a suspicion that it's because most of the tasks ahead of me are large and undefined.
 
I'm checking in today to rely on the strength of the good folks at PA to carry me through the next 90 minutes.  I thank you for being here. Here are some quotes that lifted my spirits a little just now:
 
"Consistent effort - not strength or intelligence - is the key to unlocking our potential" - Winston Churchill
"Better face a danger once than always be in fear." - Proverb
"Don't mistake pleasure for happiness. They are a different breed of dogs." ~ Josh Billings
"Be not afraid of going slowly; be only afraid of standing still" --chinese proverb
"Continuous improvement is better than delayed perfection." -Mark Twain
 
I need to realize that I may never understand the reasons for my procrastination and move on anyway...

(Crazybug)

Thank you for your shares, I am in the same "slump" and can have some hope when I see others in PA, who I respect can be there as well.

The Hero's Code: Show up. Pay Attention. Speak the Truth. Let Go of the Outcome. (I really like that one, all things we do)

Self-appointed expectations lead to self-induced frustrations………… Why not be grateful content with what my HP has given me, my sponsor used to say, "If noting else never changes in my life, my life is still a wonderful miracle." and that is true

(vic)

I always appreciate your posts. You are so wise.  thanks for being supportive. It makes more of a difference that even I realize sometimes.

(Crazybug)

Same here, I had to laugh at the "wise" compliment. Thank you, I must give any credit of  "wisdom" is what I learned in 12 step rooms, my wisdom is what got me here.

A supportive community does make a difference. Steven Covey made millions just by adding that one fact to his book:

The 7 Habits Of Highly Effective People

Effectiveness cannot be maintained without the  8th, which is this kind of supportive community, and where else but here would anyone understand this issue?

The 8th Habit: From Effectiveness to Greatness by Stephen R. Covey (support from others)

Back again...

I have been away for a while but to no avail. I am still a procrastinator. :(.

So I am back and want to work the program again. How have you all been? Well and productive I hope.

I am being gentle on myself today and it is early evening but I will check in tomorrow morning with a  proper to-do list and pick myself up and dust myself down. I had a wonderful holiday in Somerset but have found it really difficult to get started since I have been back. Really though while leisure is pleasant it casts shadows and I dont enjoy it to the full as I know I am not doing what I am meant to do. 

(Helen)

Welcome back. Thank you for your honesty. Trying to do this alone is like trying to do any of the 12 step issues alone. Once you know about this stuff, it is never the same if you leave the rooms. Courage to change the things you can, you are back, I know that takes courage, you are not alone.

clement ci

luv u guys, reading abt ur days/struggles/learnings/triumphs. thank god for this place!

lot to do. getting started earlier than usual today. yea.

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the touch of the master's hand: http://procrastinators-anonymous.org/node/1898#comment-27748

"fall down seven times, get up eight" - japanese proverb

The Scribbler's Thursday Plan

Did okay yesterday, despite a late start. Like to do better today.

Prep

  • Get up at 7 (Fair. Hit the snooze button three times)
  • Make bed, do calisthenics
  • Coffee, paper, water plants
  • Healthy breakfast

Morning

  • Add 5 to music DB
  • Email or call 5 re: music
  • Finish Food10 fact-checking

Afternoon

  • Do BN paperwork
  • Send BN proposed blog titles
  • Send BN headshot
  • Do 2 CIO
  • Grocery shop (?)

Evening

  • Pick up kids at 5
  • Swim team meeting at 7
  • Fun w/kids
  • Healthy dinner
  • D/o kids by 8 or so
  • Practice music
  • read, relax
  • Bed by 11

Journey 11 am &

 Training class is over yay!  Now I'm behind, so I'm going to set my priorities for the rest of the week, then a todo list for the rest of the day.  Some stuff is gonna have to just slide, so triage is the order of the day.  

Update 3 pm This day is going by slow as molasses!  I did the above triage and got through one major task and a couple of small ones.   Now I'm procrastinating getting started on major task #2 which is critical and must be completed this week.  I'll make a cup of tea and get back to work on it!

Jo 

'You become what you think about most of the time.' - Brian Tracy

ScottY CI

Well, I haven't checked in here for quite a few days.  My productivity plummeted while I was away.  Evidently being here really does help me a lot!  Thanks to all of you who are posting.

Getting a late start, but here's my plan:

scripture study

prayer

biennial review work

HP calls

bills work

tax work

Lefkoe work

practice vc

reconcile acct

Under pressure

9:18 AM: Trying to get focused and started earlier today. Had a couple of disorganized and not very productive days Tuesday and Wednesday, and am feeling more stressed than usual, since I am trying hard to finish up my work at this job. I feel that when I press, I can make decent progress, but it is followed by a period of letdown and decreased productivity. Perhaps making progress makes me uncomfortable or just makes me feel like I can ease off a little. My natural state is to be circumspect and anxious about doing things. While stress can drive me to work, it is a fine balance; too little, and I can't overcome the anxiety around getting started, but too much, and the anxiety completely blocks me. Well, let's see if I can manage to keep the stress under control, be mindful of what I am doing at the moment, and get through some overdue reports.

Goal 1: 9:35 AM - 12:35 PM: 9 cases in 3 hours. At the end of that period, I will leave the building to run some errands and decompress. My overall goal for today is 18-20 cases.

Back to report.

letdown

Yes, that's an area I still struggle with - any success, failure, completion, or transition can send me into a tailspin.   I manage it better now, I can usually get back on track in minutes rather than hours or days, but it's something I have to be very aware of!

Jo 

'You become what you think about most of the time.' - Brian Tracy

Thanks Jo

Thanks, Jo! It is something I will have to keep working on. Perhaps it's a form of 'reversion to the mean'. In any case, the effect is to put on the brakes.

Vic 8/19

 Happy Thursday Graphic Show up (done) Practise mindfulness when I can

My new practise of mindfulness when I can has all sorts of "messages" popping up.I heard someone share something I want to try and see if it works for me:

the 3 (three) ZONES:1. Comfort (no growth/change) 2. Challenge (growth in a healthy way) 3. Crisis (unhealthy growth leading to shut down or relapse)

Instead of thinking I need to limit computer time, etc., etc. I am going to tell myself " I want to get out of the comfort zone into the challenge zone"- maybe I can over ride my demand/resistence programing , worth a try. So going to my challenge zone now.

Thanks for being here.

comfort,challenge,crisis...

----tell myself " I want to get out of the comfort zone into the challenge zone"- maybe I can over ride my demand/resistence programing , worth a try. ---

I lo-o-o-ve that idea, vic. Thanks for sharing.  Trying it, starting right now!

Vic 8/19

check in- thanks Agnus. Well I learned one thing today. THE TRUTH IS ,I really DO NOT WANT to get out of my comfort zone. That is probably why I am where I am.

What works for my kids is a "prize". Right now not doing any "for pay jobs" so my self motivation is lacking. Need to think of non montatary "prizes"

right now- walk- prize, feel good, depression leaves, connect to nature, listen to phone meetings.

Back to the phone meetings tommorow and get out of myself. My HP will put me to work.

hope4mdandu checkin (9:15AM)

Hi Guys,

Thanks Lennon for the start!! Kromer's back....YAY!!!! Hi tuffl, nice to see you!! Hi Huma and Finally!! And thank you Agnus for giving me the idea to post to people in my own check-in so the person can still edit their list.

I found out that my old boss gave me a "good" reference, which probably isn't too good. I fear the job I am hoping to land, is now out of reach. HP knows what he is doing.

Away to the shower and to hopefully, please HP, get help for bills, etc. Been procrastinating about cleaning. Will be back later to work on resumes, cleaning, etc.

I put my hand in yours and together we can do what we could not do alone!!

♥Prayers & guidance needed & appreciated for my Yoffee's healing.♥

kromer 9:10 CI

Back from vacation, so today is mostly a day to get my life in order:

*Laundry, unpack
*Enough grocery shopping and cooking to get me through the week
*See if labmates have gotten back to me w/ comments, if so read through and make plan for addressing (just got comments back)
*Gather study materials for F and call him
*harambee email, c
ostco card email, bbq email (need to call CI, RU, ER tomorrow during business hours), ogt letter, jury duty letter
*Tidy kitchen
*Deal w/ email from past week
*Change VAD
*Copy articles and return library books

If I have more time:
*Email R and R
*Figure out what's wrong w/ zucchini plants
*Deal w/ WM
*Check on expts

*Prelim study plan

OK, ahh! I'll start w/ checking one email account. 

huma CI

  • bssb prop
  • organize pending
  • hosting bills
  • call WF car
  • prep for JD meeting
  • call accountant
  • go to 2 HS stores
  • meet w/ OMF
  • send FPP
  • blog
  • send newsletter
  • create 4 seo
  • change wheels ad
  • change projector ad
  • see CD re sales incentives

tuffl CI

hi there, haven't been here for a while. days are going by without anything happening because there's nothing i'm obliged to do at the moment. well, nothing that's really urgent. of course there are a million things i can think of which i could/ should do. but nothing extremely urgent and the rest i'm putting off. not sure if this is pure procrastination but i feel like it's part of it. so here goes another attempt to learn to use my time in a more meaningful way. i will try to proceed in steps & regularly update my to-do list & progress made over the day.

 

for a start:

  • DONE shower
  • DONE change bs
  • DONE exm
  • Smile bf

next part:

  • DONE tidy up study (could be still tidier but this'll do for the moment)
  • DONE Smile check lit on us ap (*proud* & a bit surprised - didn't think i'd still do this today! as for the rest - it'll have to wait until tomorrow but i'm ok with that)
  • think about how to deal with sab
  • call A

Rexroth Check In

Thanks for starting the thread lennon.

Done:
Up late as could not get to sleep last night excited and a little anxious about my trip
Prayer and reflection

Todo:
Wash up and tidy up from yesterday
Sort bits for going away
Slow down a bit - and begin to take it easy

Seem to remember a slogan "Easy does it but do it".

Regards Rexroth

Rexroth Up Date

Done:
Checked emails and at last finished arrangement with hotel and airport pickup
Dealt with mail
Got the place cleaned up and food sorted and put away
Phoned hospital and friend has had a successful operation
Friend phoned and we arranged to meet for lunch on Saturday
Got a lot of sorting done for travel

Todo:
A bit more sorting
Prayer and reflection
Bed and sleep

Regards Rexroth

Easy does it, but do it!

That's perfect.   I love it.  

'You become what you think about most of the time.' - Brian Tracy

(Rex)

I can't believe I forgot that slogan!!! I guess it is true what they say about slelective memory. ha ha Vic

Great slogan

Great slogan

My Day Today

I want to thank my Higher Power for this program, this website, the telephone and and online meetings, and my life.

Things I have to do today

1. Go to the 7 a.m. telephone DA meeting

2. Take a shower

3. Got dressed

4. Go see my therapist

5. Prayer and meditation

6. Read 12-Step literature

7. Read the Business class book Chatper One

8. Go to a therapy group

9. Read my computer chapter

10. Do my computer homework

11. 25 minutes of decluttering

12. Go to Network Nite.

13. Get my clothes ready for tomorrow

14. Go to bed

That's all I have