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.

Monday, 25th of September, 2006

sounding very positive!

You've been sounding wonderfully positive lately. You're getting stuff done, getting to bed early, up early, and being productive. Way to go, 1Focus!! Your progress on your financial stuff (other post) is very inspiring for me. I really need to work on that in a big way.

Thanks for the feedback

I owe a lot to this website. Finding my way here coincided with my decision to focus on only one thing at a time. This site helped me put that in writing. Thanks to everybody here. Even if you don't read my bookends, I can pretend you do ;) and that seems to keep me moving.

I read them!

I don't always have anything to say in response, but I read them!

pro's CI - 8:20am

I checked email before finishing my morning routine, but that was because I wanted to monitor what was happening with my business since the changeover. Another new customer. :?

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~Ta Da~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

  • Morning Routine
    • Wake up: 7:50am (target: 7am).

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~To Do~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

  • Morning Routine.
    • Take out pills for the day.
    • Make bed (convert futon back into couch).
    • Put on exercise clothes (showered night before).
    • Empty dish drain and wash any dishes from previous day.
    • Make and eat breakfast.
    • Swallow morning pills.
    • Wash breakfast dishes.
    • Put in contacts.
  • Reflection.
  • Pilates.
  • Change into street clothes.
  • Check email and clear spam folder.
  • Pick up mail.
  • Handle mail, pay bills, filing.
  • Work Stuff
    • Process prorated refunds for customers requesting it.
    • Back accounting.
    • Laundry.
    • Clean toilet.
  • Straighten work area to prepare for next work day.
  • Errands, etc.
    • Wrap up and mail book to purchaser on amazon.com.
    • Pick up mail.
    • Handle mail, pay bills, filing.
    • Groceries.
    • Pick up prescription.
    • Pick up tailoring from two locations.
  • Meeting
  • Free time.
  • Review to-do list for next day.
  • Bedtime routine.

Rexroth 11.35 BST

Up prayer
bath wash hair
post
attempt to sign on internet bank
post this
clean kitchen floor
letter landlord and start file on maintenance
30 min legal/admin project
30 min craft project
journal and think
find box and package for radio for sending back for repair
email Mum
eve out launch party for cd by refugee group I work with
prayer
bed

So far I have not done well today. I've been very angry with service from bank and have been so angry that I feel I can't do anything else. This is crazy and I know it. On Friday I felt the same way about landlords. It's an issue I need to deal with as it is a major reason for my procrastination.

Regards Rexroth

Hey there.

No words of wisdom right now, just wanted to say that I've been there and I'm sorry you're having a rough time.

I wish you strength and patience for yourself and others.

it is for me, too

I know what you mean. Anger can cause passive-aggression in me - aka procrastination. When I'm feeling resentful, I become non-compliant in a big way - just won't do a thing.

It's helped me just to realize that's what's happening. I didn't consciously realize before that what I was doing was passive-aggressive. Seeing this has helped me a lot in making choices instead of being controlled by it.

Hang in there

Sometimes I feel too angry to get anything done. It's as if I am on strike, protesting. It doesn't do any good, of course. It only hurts me. Still, until a way is found to release pent-up emotions, I can't do anything else. In the past I have gotten in my car and driven down empty roads, yelling (nobody could hear me, and it felt good), punched pillows, etc. With my scary ex-husband, I'd chop off my hair because he didn't like it. Now, I try to go for a walk. Please try to find something to do with your anger, Rexroth, or you might turn it against yourself with self-defeating or even harmful habits.

Rexroth 20.24 BST

Thanks friends. It is more that I am furious and upset and it is an old pattern of mine. I tend to focus sometimes very energetically on things that don't really matter and then don't do the things that do.

Here was today's effort. I couldn't log in on an internet bank account. It was the first time of trying with a new number. I phoned and listened to people whose command of English was not sufficient etc etc. I was very very angry but I was polite with people, probably in India, who could not help me and I think would have been happy to if they could.

Now it did not matter whether I was able to log in or not. I know what is in my account to the penny. I just felt angry and frustrated and so I didn't tackle things that did matter. Crazy ain't it.

This is an old pattern of mine and I know it would be very helpful for me to change it.

Pro, I've read what you've written on passive-aggression and that I recognise in myself. In fairness to me I've recognised it for a long time. It was pointed out to me many times as a character defect when I was in DA.

What does help me is not to start an argument particularly one that is not necessary. Today I needn't have tried to sign in and when I did and it didn't work I could have just left it. But I wanted to have my own way... and I didn't get it and even if I had it would not have helped me at all.

Still learning ... a chastened and sorry Rexroth

being polite to India

Big kudos, Rexroth, for being polite to the barely-English-speaking and unhelpful "customer service" people in India. I cannot say I've ever been able to hold it together when my patience is tried in that way. You were angry at not being able to log in, but you didn't take your frustration out on the person on the phone. To me, that is an awesome achievement.

I'm always rude to the Indian customer support people. Honestly, I can't remember a time when I was able to not do that. India taking customer service calls and doing it incompetently when Americans (or Britains) don't have jobs drives me completely insane.

I wish someone could teach me not to vent at them when I get them on the phone - basically "kicking the dog" for something that isn't their fault. I can't help myself, and then I hate myself after for being so obnoxious and nasty.

Rexroth 10.05

Thanks pro. It's only just past ten and I'm going to bed to write my journal, pray and think. The gathering this evening was really happy and I'm glad I can do something useful with people who have lost so much. Makes my problems seem very small and my reactions to them a bit daft.

Milo 6pm

Ta Da:
- up
- kids up, dressed and fed
- myself dressed & hair done (showered last night)
- made beds
- CUOP briefly
- breakfast
- finish morning routine (wash face, makeup, teeth, breakfast dishes, check calendar, load of washing on, swish'n'swipe)
- assess if I have anything to feed visitors for lunch (I did)
- made lunch for the adults and my own kids
- ate lunch, did dishes
- swept up 3 tonnes of crumbs and crap
- tidied up the toy explosion fallout
- decided what I'm cooking for dinner and took the meat out of the freezer
- read to kids for a while (to calm DS down after all the fuss)
- put a knackered DS to bed
- put another load of washing on and hung one out
- tidied up outside (DH will be pleased - I even swept! :))
- prepared dinner (just have to cook the rice when we're ready to eat)
- almost all of weekly review, a little bit to go (15 minutes to go)
- talked to DSis on phone
- started to reschedule stuff I blew off on weekend, a little bit to go (10 mins I'd say)
- vacuumed rug and cleaned ground-in sandwich out (see, I told you!)
- returned client's phone call and left message
- played with kids (lots of tears this afternoon - DS didn't sleep after all so is very sensitive!)
- kids fed, bathed (DH did the bath)
- fed DDog
- did dinner prep dishes & tidied kitchen

To Do:
Evening
- finish reschedule everything I blew off yesterday & reassess master to-do
- finish daytime routine (5 minute room rescue, 15 minutes in zone)
- finish weekly review
- next week's plan
- kids book and bed (DH will probably do this while I take a walk)
- go for a walk to re-energise
- after-dinner routine (lay out clothes, shine sink, check calendar, wash face/brush teeth, pack kids bags for care)
- start developing presentation
- bed by 10pm

Still feeling tired!

Milo 4pm

Ta Da:
- up
- kids up, dressed and fed
- myself dressed & hair done (showered last night)
- made beds
- CUOP briefly
- breakfast
- finish morning routine (wash face, makeup, teeth, breakfast dishes, check calendar, load of washing on, swish'n'swipe)
- assess if I have anything to feed visitors for lunch (I did)
- made lunch for the adults and my own kids
- ate lunch, did dishes
- swept up 3 tonnes of crumbs and crap
- tidied up the toy explosion fallout
- decided what I'm cooking for dinner and took the meat out of the freezer
- read to kids for a while (to calm DS down after all the fuss)
- put a knackered DS to bed
- put another load of washing on and hung one out
- tidied up outside (DH will be pleased - I even swept! :))
- prepared dinner (just have to cook the rice when we're ready to eat)
- almost all of weekly review, a little bit to go (15 minutes to go)
- talked to DSis on phone
- started to reschedule stuff I blew off on weekend, a little bit to go (10 mins I'd say)
- vacuumed rug and cleaned ground-in sandwich out (see, I told you!)
- returned client's phone call and left message
- played with kids (lots of tears this afternoon - DS didn't sleep after all so is very sensitive!)

To Do:
- finish reschedule everything I blew off yesterday & reassess master to-do
- finish daytime routine (5 minute room rescue, 15 minutes in zone)
Evening
- finish weekly review
- next week's plan
- kids fed, bath, book, bed
- go for a walk to re-energise
- after-dinner routine (lay out clothes, shine sink, check calendar, wash face/brush teeth)
- start developing presentation
- bed by 10pm

I'm tired..... :(

Milo 2pm

It wasn't TOO bad and I think DS has gone to sleep...not completely sure, but fingers crossed...

Ta Da:
- up
- kids up, dressed and fed
- myself dressed & hair done (showered last night)
- made beds
- CUOP briefly
- breakfast
- finish morning routine (wash face, makeup, teeth, breakfast dishes, check calendar, load of washing on, swish'n'swipe)
- assess if I have anything to feed visitors for lunch (I did)
- made lunch for the adults and my own kids
- ate lunch, did dishes
- swept up 3 tonnes of crumbs and crap
- tidied up the toy explosion fallout
- decided what I'm cooking for dinner and took the meat out of the freezer
- read to kids for a while (to calm DS down after all the fuss)
- put a knackered DS to bed


To Do:
- tidy up outside
- put another load of washing on and hang this one out
- reschedule everything I blew off yesterday & reassess master to-do
- weekly review that I should have done yesterday (this might end up in 'evening')
- daytime routine (5 minute room rescue, 15 minutes in zone, prepare dinner)
- play with kids
Evening
- kids fed, bath, book, bed
- after-dinner routine (lay out clothes, shine sink, check calendar, wash face/brush teeth)
- start developing presentation
- bed by 10pm

slider's Monday plan

It's a little before 11 pm. If I can get through my bedtime routine swiftly and go to bed, I just might be able to get up at a decent time tomorrow. I'm disappointed because I ordered 8 books on either ADD or Procrastination, and the delivery date for all but the first one keeps getting shoved back. I really want to read GTD, but no sign of it yet. All I have gotten so far is The Now Habit, and we just didn't hit it off. I skimmed it, but it didn't appeal to me at the moment. :(

To Do:

--Get up at 6:30 to make sure everyone is up.
--Go back to sleep till 8 am.
--Morning routine
--go to church at 9 am
--check in with secretary, but try to get away to study
--get stew tickets to sell at nursing home (it's also a retirement center)
--declutter study
--leave for nursing home at 11:00
--gas?
--nursing home MOnday routine
--leave at 5:00 (DON'T STAY LATE!)
--go home, snack, rest
--make plan for evening

It's 11:00. Goodnight!

pro's Monday to-do list

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~To Do~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

  • Morning Routine.
    • Take out pills for the day.
    • Make bed (convert futon back into couch).
    • Put on exercise clothes (showered night before).
    • Empty dish drain and wash any dishes from previous day.
    • Make and eat breakfast.
    • Swallow morning pills.
    • Wash breakfast dishes.
    • Put in contacts.
  • Reflection.
  • Pilates.
  • Change into street clothes.
  • Check email and clear spam folder.
  • Pick up mail.
  • Handle mail, pay bills, filing.
  • Work Stuff
    • Process prorated refunds for customers requesting it.
    • Back accounting.
    • Laundry.
    • Clean toilet.
  • Straighten work area to prepare for next work day.
  • Errands, etc.
    • Wrap up and mail book to purchaser on amazon.com.
    • Pick up mail.
    • Handle mail, pay bills, filing.
    • Groceries.
    • Pick up prescription.
    • Pick up tailoring from two locations.
  • Meeting
  • Free time.
  • Review to-do list for next day.
  • Bedtime routine.

Milo 8:30am

Hi all. Had a bad day yesterday - felt crap so dozed most of the afternoon and evening. Can you believe I fell asleep at 4pm on the couch with DH, DSIL and both kids in the room, talking and shouting???!! I was exhausted for some reason. I was the day before, too. Today I feel good, a bit headachey but not too bad.

I will have 9 kids under 4 here this morning. Urgh. Now THAT will give me the most enormous headache ever. I am glad it's not raining today and we can keep them all outside - some of them are really precocious. I am always grateful for my angels after some devils come to visit!!

Ta Da:
- up
- kids up, dressed and fed
- myself dressed & hair done (showered last night)
- made beds
- CUOP briefly
- breakfast

To Do:
- finish morning routine (wash face, makeup, teeth, breakfast dishes, check calendar, load of washing on, swish'n'swipe)
- assess if I have anything to feed visitors for lunch
- duck up to supermarket before 10am to get things for lunch!
- reschedule everything I blew off yesterday & reassess master to-do
- weekly review that I should have done yesterday (this might end up in 'evening')
- daytime routine (5 minute room rescue, 15 minutes in zone, sweep floors, reboot laundry, lunch & lunch dishes, prepare dinner)
- play with kids if I'm not completely sick of kids in general by 2pm ;)
Evening
- kids fed, bath, book, bed
- after-dinner routine (lay out clothes, shine sink, check calendar, wash face/brush teeth)
- start developing presentation
- bed by 10pm

Good morning (evening)

Good luck with the kids, today. Sounds like fun ;)

Yeah, fun...not.

Thanks! It's not fun, I hate it. But I take my kids to their houses every week (we rotate hosting between about 4-5 mums) so I have to cop it. Mind you, MY kids don't scream, grind their sandwiches into the carpet, break toys, rub vegemite on the walls and whack other kids over the head with trains or cricket bats, either.

As you can tell, I hate it. I end up with a mess and a headache. And one mum just doesn't know when to leave (and she's the one with 3 of the highest-maintenance kids) so when we finally shove her out at 2pm, my DS is over-tired and usually refuses his sleep then, meaning I don't get a break to do stuff in the middle of the day. Sigh! :(

Vegemite

Do kids LIKE Vegemite? I've tried it--WAY too salty, even if there are lots of B vitamins!!! Do you mix it with something to dilute it????

Liking Vegemite...

Is a very Australian thing. We grow up with it - we're fed it on toast as early as we can have solids. We don't dilute it, except with butter ;)

It's one of those foods that the culture that eats it finds it quite normal, and everyone else gags!!!!! :lol:

My kids like it, of course. I don't know any kids who don't, actually...

The key is to not put too much on if you are trying to eat it as an adult for the first time. Have it on bread, toast or crackers with plenty of butter and just smear less than half a teaspoon on it. You might like it better then. (or not - it's an aquired taste, so you might never like it :)). And it's awesome in a sandwich with cheese, too.