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.
Procrastination is the grave in which opportunity is buried.
Weekend Summary
Oy, I don’t want to forget what I did this weekend because it goes on my Step One list. The consequences to myself and others… I don’t stick to agreed-upon plans, I take longer than I say I will to do things, and I get too wrapped up in tasks to acknowledge others.
Details: My hubby and I had a plan for Saturday. Up early, I’d get my shower, then he’d go to dentist, and when he got back I’d go shopping, with time remaining when I got home for family fun. Well, I got up too late to get my shower, and while he was at the dentist I got involved in a long 2-person game with our son. (I’m so weak-willed, caving to the little guy’s whims and desires; he pulled out the “I want Mommy-time” card, and he got his way.) When hubby came home he was obviously upset, but my head was in the game and I didn’t pull out to talk about it with him. During the game my head was so far into my game strategy that I wasn’t available to help my son when he needed it, and so he got very whiney. I didn’t enjoy the game At All.
By the time the game was done, it was late. Hubby told me the rule is, to cut off games of that type after 1 hour, not play until the game ends (I didn’t remember that, but he thought I knew it). He was also upset that I had let our son use my hubby’s computer, so he couldn’t even be doing stuff in the office with us. I said (for the thousand’s time) that it would help me if he would Ask for me to get my head out of the current activity and speak with him, but he felt that no matter what he said he’d end up being the bad guy. I know just what he meant.
I still chose to go shopping for items he thought we didn’t really need. I said, let’s have a plan and I’ll follow it this time. We agreed on a time for me to get home, but he said I could call and let him know if I needed more time (he knows me). I told my son when I’d be home, X at the latest. Well, I didn’t even call until after the agreed-upon time. I made two more (well, three more) stops before driving home in the rainy dark.
It resulted in a rushed dinner, curtailed family time, and a shortened bedtime routine for my boy. No one was happy with the outcome. After my son was in bed, I spent the evening doing what hubby wanted to do, out of guilt.
Let’s just say, Sunday went a lot better. I followed hubby’s lead and we did stuff together, all 3 of us. It was much nicer.
(Thanks for sharing firefly)
Thanks for your very honest sharing. It certainly rang a lot of bells for me! especially about the shopping!
There are some threads here about time-bingeing which I found really relevant. I am thinking that the upside of this is that I (and you?) have the ability to engage and concentrate on one activity for a long time span.
I am just starting to see how having very poor skills in estimating the time needed to do things (work, housework, anything really) is an important part of my procrastination problem. I get behind and so much want things to be done that I become unrealistic about how long they will take. I am trying to learn to use the clock and limit times if necessary.
Also I think I may be genuinely SLOW at some things and am embarassed at how long they take me. Some of this is to do with perfectionism but not all.
Sorry, this is all about me.
Glad you were able to start again on Sunday and have a happier day.
Findingaway check-in
9.50 am Monday
Back again!
Thanks Helen for starting the thread. Things have been chaotic with clean-up from the flooding, a visit from my older son who rarely visits, and an argument (still unresolved) with my husband, who is also working from home today.
Still we have got through a lot of the flood stuff, and I have had some good times in between with friends and family over the weekend. But now even more behind on paid work. Would REALLY like to finish report for B and be ready to go into the office tomorrow.
Plan for today:
30 mins work (to get started)bike ride (exercise)30 mins workmake bread at lunchtimeLeave other domestic and personal tasks until this evening.
Feeling very unmotivated but it's not going to happen without my effort!
My report is done! Worked into the evening a little but not late!
Jeqsy's First Check-In
Hi. I'm new.
WHERE THE HECK HAVE YOU PEOPLE BEEN ALL MY LIFE!?
Er, uh, what I meantersay was:
Odd time for checking in, I know, but I'm on an odd (and really probematical, unhelpful) schedule.
Check in at PA.
Breakfast: oatmeal, blueberries, walnuts, green tea, supplements, meds.
Make the day's supersalad, divide into portions, pack into lunch-sack in fridge (henceforth "The Sack")
Pack remainder of today's eats into The Sack.
Eat only what is in The Sack, unless S. O. (henceforth "Siggy") makes stuffing.
Walk one mile, without weights. Too cold to carry weights, freeze hands off.
Shower, shampoo, brush teeth, floss. (Henceforth "Hygiene".)
Clear a wider path from door of home library/office/junkroom (henceforth "The Cave") to desk in corner.
Clear off said desk. Put file-box on desk sideways as improv hutch. Cram books into file-box so cat can't dump it behind desk.
Clear off one shelf in Cave to organize into.
Catbox.
Clean junk off porch. Hang up the lights already!
Either pot or pitch those old, sprouted potatoes; but either way, let's quit stinkin' up the joint, okay?
Another one-mile walk.
TOP PRIORITY:
Research #6-#10.
Write #6-#10.
Post #6-#10.
Research #11-#15.
Write #11-#15.
Post #11-#15.
Check out at PA.
Welcome Jegsy!
Never have an ordinary day! - Pepperidge Farm (lol)
kromer 3 CI
OK, I've done a lot so far today!
MITs
Next steps on experiment
Emails and orders!
Stage one more
Other tasks:
1 hr work teaching portfolio
Call friend
Order 1 present, brainstorm others.
OK, emails now.
tracy-la sunday
Good Sunday,
Checking in. Been busy week and lots of things going on. Still working on my move at end of Nov -- and holiday business has not made it easier.
Basics: (1) checking in / showing up; (2) Planned day or plan to plan -- taking that 5 min to plan; (3) gratitudes; (4) reading; (5) affirmation; (6) prayer.
Play Tennis.
Will check in later.
tracy-la
Vic 12/12
Hope to be humble enough to use the tools I need to help me take each step.First step was checking in here.Next is facing the next step. Thanks for being here.
My Day Today
I want to thank my Higher Power for this program, this website, the telephone and online meetings, and my life.
Things I will do today
1. Prayer and meditation morning and evening.
2. Get medicine ready for the next two weeks
3. Wash clothes
4. Put away clothes
5. Post Al-Anon literature for the week
6. Eat brunch
7. Eat dinner
8. Take shower
9. Get dressed
10. Go to the 2:30 p.m. online PA meeting
11. Go to the 6:30 p.m. face to face DA meeting.
Thanks for letting me share
katia 12/12
Feeling guilty for kind of slipping here. . .the weekends can sometimes do that eh. Got my big exam tomorrow and I really wanted to study alot for it but it just didn't happen. However, usually I don't even have an equation sheet because I procrastinated so bad and I have reviewed the first three units (two left).
Theres supposed to be a big storm tonite. . .wouldn't it be great if my exam got delayed? ;)
To Do Today
-Vitamins/herbAntibiotics tomorrow don't want to get sick-Review Unit 3-Review Unit 4 (break it down later)-Review Unit 5 " "-Finish equation sheet-Email guy about apt-Keep looking at other apts-Email person re childcare-Respond to forum post-Be firm with my parents over an issue that bothers me ALOTMade progress, feeling better.Take and pass another tutor subject test-Write writing sample for tutoring company-Possibly go shopping and therefore-Possibly take my little buddy to see Santa:) His picture is SO CUTE! yayTip for fellow PA people- don't go out with people who don't have as many things to do as you. Or take a separate car so you can leave. Got home at eight when I assumed we were just going to a couple of stores. Sigh! Guess I'll be up late.
Dying of tiredness. . .meh. . .
Journey 9:30
It's catch up on housework day for me! I'm gonna relax for half an hour, then laundry.
I
Never have an ordinary day! - Pepperidge Farm (lol)
Lucky CI
Checking in halfway through the day and including all the things I've already done ahoy...
CI :)
Clean George Foreman grill :)
Wash up :)
Clean sink :)
Clean stove top :)
Quaker meeting :)
Shiva Nata :)
Read some bible :)
Email/facebook/lj/forum :)
Find CT bill :)
Buy rat stuffDecided I gave myself too much to doList Christmas & house to-dosReading :)
Writing :)
LJ post :)
Laundry
Clear kitchen :)
Pill :)
Wash face/moisturise/floss/brush teeth
Wash DOG'S face :)
Tomorrow's list :)
Rexroth Check In
Done:
Prayer and reflection
Checked emails
Todo:
Get up and dressed
French study
Finish tidying up - I'm nearly done
Go through financial files and write letters
Prepare for phone call from ISP who say they will phone me on Monday
Prepare for phone call with advocate re hospital complaint by looking through files and also note what I intend to do next
Prepare for appointment with doctor tomorrow
That will do
Regards Rexroth
Rexroth Check Out
Done:
All the above and
Changed the bedding and washed the old bedding which is now drying
Listened to a friend's problems on the phone and arranged to meet them tomorrow
Phoned another friend to try to arrange a meetup - she was not in
Checked my plan for the week
Put the rubbish out and washed up
Had a bath and washed hair
Prayed and reflected and gone to bed which is very comfortable and clean
Done some research on the web
Todo:
Relax a little surfing the web
Go to sleep in good time
Another good and productive day. I am so grateful.
Night Folks Rexroth
Seattleguy1968s Check In TO
Seattleguy1968s Check In
TO DO:
Forwarding yesterday's list to now:
Chores II
Task 1
Task 2
Task 3
Task 4
Task 5
Task 6
Project A
Project B
Project C
:D = Done
Helens CI
OK it is 8:40am . I want to have a productive day today. I feel pretty despairing about my procrastination but willing to fight it inch by inch. Someone give me a hug please!
CI DONE
Breakfast DONE
It is now midday and all I have done is sleep and eat. Try again.
Teeth DONE
20 mins Tea DONE
20 mins washing up DONE
10 Sit ups DONE
10 mins tea DONE
20 mins Bedroom
Spreadsheet
Computer research
Buy tickets
Laundry
Call M, D
Prepare for Monday
Sort out Yule cards
Send back DVD
10 Sit ups
Monday
Library book
Present for C, Book for A
Helen's CI
CI DONE
Breakfast DONE
It is now midday and all I have done is sleep and eat. Try again.
Teeth DONE
20 mins Tea DONE
20 mins washing up DONE
10 Sit ups DONE
10 mins tea DONE
20 mins Bedroom DONE
10 mins tea
Buy tickets DONE
Laundry
Prepare for Monday DONE
Sort out Yule cards
Send back DVD
10 Sit ups
Monday
Library book
Present for C, Book for A
Spreadsheet
Computer research
Job
Call M, D
(Helen)
(Hug)
I found, strange as it may seem, by showing up no matter what, in the good times and in the bad times,success and failure times, I sort of build an immunity to the power of the depair. I can relate so much and support your "showing up" keep coming back. I found in the consistency of "showing up" there is growth. (hug) Vic
Helen
Looks like you've managed to pick yourself out of that slump enough to get a lot done - WELL DONE! I find it really hard to pick myself up and get anything done when I've had a rubbish morning so I'm v impressed :)
Oh, and never let it be said that somebody asked for a hug on PA and didn't get one... or several...
Thanks Lucky :)
Oh thanks Lucky. It seems so little to me but little is better than nothing at all. Keep going just keep going. I am better with things that interest me but I hate decluttering/ housework/ washing up/ organising but long for a nice home. Need a nice home to work well. My bedroom and kitchen are looking a little better, tidier at least. Why does it take so much time? Why am I so flaky? Still inch by inch, thank you.