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.

Personal Anonymity

I think the PA site should include an upfront warning to newcomers to protect their own anonymity.  I'm suggesting this thread as a place for others to comment on the topic of personal anonymity.

Wish I hadn't told

I made the mistake of telling people at work and online about my new support group for procrastination. I was so excited to find this resource, and wanted to let people know I had found a solution. Wish I could take it back.

I felt I owed my boss a reason to hope that my poor productivity would improve, along with an explanation for my sudden increased trips outside to talk on the phone. I thought coworkers would be supportive. Instead, I have been teased and put down. My job is not in jeopardy as a result, because my performance problems were already known. But I didn’t need to bring it to people’s attention. When I walk out the door with my phone, I wonder what they are thinking about me (sometimes they let me know). I have to keep reminding myself, what other people think of me is none of my business—I could drive myself crazy worrying about it.

I also posted about PA on an online forum for my hobby, asking if anyone else could relate and inviting any other compulsive procrastinators to try PA. I got several smart-alecky/humorous replies, and one angry and shaming reply from someone whose life has been negatively affected by a family member with this problem. No one expressed that they too have this debilitating kind of procrastination. Now I feel a little embarrassed to go back there (but I’ll get over it).

I also discovered that my spouse does not want to hear about my struggles with procrastination. He supports my time for attending the phone meetings, but has asked that I call someone else if I am struggling. He needs to maintain a healthy boundary for himself; I am thankful that he has the clarity to realize how destructive it could be for our relationship if I treated him like a PA member. His work is to accept the consequences of my behavior and set boundaries for himself, not to aid me in my recovery.

Now I know that if I am struggling with procrastination, I need to talk to someone who truly understands--another PA member.

This too shall pass

All is fundamentally well.  I've actually had a pretty good day.

My purpose in posting is to ask if anyone else has experienced the consequences of broken anonymity, and to encourage other PA members to think twice before making the same mistakes.  (I was too lazy to search the old posts for this topic.)

((ruthb))

I'm sorry that you've experienced such negativity in the face of the hope you've found at PA.

I can imagine how dissapointing it probably has been. Just know that the people here understand and are here to support you.

 

(((RuthB))))

Well, you can't take it back, but you can ignore the nay-sayers and continue to work on improving your productivity.   That'll show 'em!

Jo 

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