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.

5 + 1 little things (or 5+2)

21 November, 2012 - 4:10pm - studentessa

Special Projects and Master Lists

I have probably overloaded myself with work this semester, but I just know that if I work on everything regularily and do not burden myself down with perfectionism, I can do that darned double master and still keep the rest of my life together.

The problem is, as soon as I put things, even enjoyable ones, on my to-do list demand-resistance kicks in and I wake up from a haze of an internet-bender five days later with deadlines pressing on and my apartment a mess.

I once heard it takes 40 days to create a habit, but also that you should not take on too much at once. So I am planning on doing 5 little things every day for 40 days now and report back here every evening to tick them off. I am keeping a +1, so that it can fit my mood and I am keeping the to-do vague enough to not kill the urge to be spontaneous, but I will still keep the part of doing at least 5 of them non-negotiable.

The five things:

Do one bit of excercise other than cycling.
Do one thing extra for Uni, other than going to classes.
Do one household chore, other than dishes
Do one thing for "flow"
Do one thing for/in french
Do one thing for myself

Edit: The new adjusted list. I have taken on a little more this semester and also found myself not paying enough attention to fun, so here is the new adjusted list. It should be 5+2 now.

Do one bit of excercise other than cycling.
Work for University for 5 hours on weekdays
- Do one thing for homework
- Study for one exam
Do one household chore
Do one thing for "flow"
Do one thing for/in french
Do one thing for myself
Extra: Contact one friend or family member

Day 2

studentessa - 24 Apr 2013 - 3:21pm

Do one bit of excercise other than cycling.
Researched excercises, hah!
Work for University for 5 hours on weekdays
- Do one thing for homework
  Worked on my essay
- Study for one exam
  Done
Do one household chore
Did laundry and brought out trash
Do one thing for "flow"
Sent e-mails and printed out stuff
Do one thing for/in french
Do one thing for myself
Extra: Contact one friend or family member

4 out of 7.




You cannot run away from a weakness; you must sometimes fight it out or perish. And if that be so, why not now, and where you stand? Robert Louis Stevenson (1850 - 1894)

At it again!

studentessa - 23 Apr 2013 - 4:10pm

I have been doing my 5+1 for a pretty long time, but I had a long break and when Uni was back on, I was in shambles. I still am in shambles. So another round of writing it down is in order. Also, I want to adjust it a little, since I see that I my french learning isn't going too well and I also need to do some socialising regularily, which I sometimes forget. Also, I got rid of doing dishes, by moving into a place with a dishwasher!
Feel free to join me here, if you want to!

Do one bit of excercise other than cycling.
Did some dancing
Work for University for 5 hours on weekdays
- Do one thing for homework
  Worked on my essay
- Study for one exam
Do one household chore
Did laundry
Do one thing for "flow"
Wrote to telephone company
Do one thing for/in french
Do one thing for myself
Had ice-cream with S.
Extra: Contact one friend or family member

6 out of 7.
You cannot run away from a weakness; you must sometimes fight it out or perish. And if that be so, why not now, and where you stand? Robert Louis Stevenson (1850 - 1894)

Great Idea!

SJ - 7 Feb 2013 - 5:50pm

Love this idea. Going to steal it and try to do it, too, if that is okay!

"What if there was a place that was safe enough where the worst of me
could be known and I would discover that I would be loved more, not
less, in the telling of it? ...Fresh trusting of love trumps old shame.
Always. Here

Day 21

studentessa - 10 Jan 2013 - 3:30pm


Day 21

Do one bit of excercise other than cycling.
Did Yoga in the morning
Do one thing extra for Uni, other than going to classes.
Do one household chore, other than dishes
Descaled the coffeemachine and waterboiler
Do one thing for "flow"
Paid fees
Do one thing for/in french
Currently converting new lessons
Do one thing for myself
Did nails

Day 21:





You cannot run away from a weakness; you must sometimes fight it out or perish. And if that be so, why not now, and where you stand? Robert Louis Stevenson (1850 - 1894)

Day 21

studentessa - 8 Jan 2013 - 3:00pm


So Day 21

Do one bit of excercise other than cycling.
Did Yoga in the morning
Do one thing extra for Uni, other than going to classes.
Sent in homework
Do one household chore, other than dishes
Cleaned the entry
Do one thing for "flow"
Solved problem with the railcompany
Do one thing for/in french
Downloaded the new lessons, if that counts.
Do one thing for myself
Will watch my favourite show

Day 21:



You cannot run away from a weakness; you must sometimes fight it out or perish. And if that be so, why not now, and where you stand? Robert Louis Stevenson (1850 - 1894)

Day 20

studentessa - 8 Jan 2013 - 7:25am

Back after the holidays, which were not enjoyable, because I was procrastinating on an important, huge exam. Of course it's getting ever larger in my head, which is not helping. I even got to that lowpoint before every exam I have, where I procrastinate on EVERYTHING, including eating, cleaning and calling people. I definitely need to get back to my 5 + 1.
Now that my classes are back on, my routine will be better too.
I have also started going to bed earlier and getting up at 7 no matter what. So a new routine is in order. Will also try to post this before going to bed, so I will have some peace of mind.

Might be doing this for an entire year. If it's not ingrained as a habit by then, I give up.

So Day 20 (yesterday)

Do one bit of excercise other than cycling.
Did Yoga in the morning
Do one thing extra for Uni, other than going to classes.
Do one household chore, other than dishes
Went Grocery shopping
Do one thing for "flow"
Called landlord, again.
Do one thing for/in french
Wrote Grocery list
Do one thing for myself
Went to bed early.

Day 20:

You cannot run away from a weakness; you must sometimes fight it out or perish. And if that be so, why not now, and where you stand? Robert Louis Stevenson (1850 - 1894)

Day 19

studentessa - 29 Dec 2012 - 1:02pm


Day 19

Do one bit of excercise other than cycling.
Went for a walk
Do one thing extra for Uni, other than going to classes.
Not yet, but will start tonight. Now, in fact.
Do one household chore, other than dishes
Dusted and Vacuumed
Do one thing for "flow"
Got Birthday Gift for A
Do one thing for/in french
Do one thing for myself
Studying is for myself

Day 19:



You cannot run away from a weakness; you must sometimes fight it out or perish. And if that be so, why not now, and where you stand? Robert Louis Stevenson (1850 - 1894)

Day 18

studentessa - 29 Dec 2012 - 12:56pm


Day 18 (yesterday)

Do one bit of excercise other than cycling.
Went for a walk
Do one thing extra for Uni, other than going to classes.
Do one household chore, other than dishes
Cleaned Cat-Litter and Foodstation
Do one thing for "flow"
Organized New Years
Do one thing for/in french
Do one thing for myself
Slept better

Day 18:

Need to get rid of the mindset of waiting for the perfect moment to study. It has to be quiet, I have to be fed, I have to have done the other four points... rubbish like that. No. Just start.


You cannot run away from a weakness; you must sometimes fight it out or perish. And if that be so, why not now, and where you stand? Robert Louis Stevenson (1850 - 1894)

Day 17

studentessa - 27 Dec 2012 - 3:24pm

Day 17

Do one bit of excercise other than cycling.
Did Yoga and some excercise in the morning
Do one thing extra for Uni, other than going to classes.
Will watch a movie for a class now, not what I should be doing, but homework nontheless.
Do one household chore, other than dishes
Did the laundry
Do one thing for "flow"
Finally dealt with the insurance-stuff
Do one thing for/in french
Repeated last weeks lesson
Do one thing for myself
Will do my nails

Day 17:

Plan for tomorrow:

Will start my day by getting up early and everything on track again!



You cannot run away from a weakness; you must sometimes fight it out or perish. And if that be so, why not now, and where you stand? Robert Louis Stevenson (1850 - 1894)

Day 16

studentessa - 27 Dec 2012 - 1:44pm

Day 16 (yesterday)

Well, the holidays got me slacking and whatever other excuse I can come up with, but I stayed as much on track as I could, even if I did not report here. Beginning again today:

Do one bit of excercise other than cycling.
Did Yoga and some tummy-excercise in the morning
Do one thing extra for Uni, other than going to classes.
(Found someone to give me his secondhand book, but I don't count that.)
Do one household chore, other than dishes
Cleaned my desk and got stored away all the wrapping stuff
Do one thing for "flow
Updated my computers system
Do one thing for/in french
Do one thing for myself
Got a massage

Day 15:


You cannot run away from a weakness; you must sometimes fight it out or perish. And if that be so, why not now, and where you stand? Robert Louis Stevenson (1850 - 1894)

Day 15

studentessa - 18 Dec 2012 - 8:33am

Day 15 (yesterday)

Do one bit of excercise other than cycling.
Do one thing extra for Uni, other than going to classes.
Researched for an article
Do one household chore, other than dishes
Vacuumed the Apartment
Do one thing for "flow
Made an appointment with Landlord
Do one thing for/in french
Did one lesson
Do one thing for myself
Went to bed early

Day 15:



You cannot run away from a weakness; you must sometimes fight it out or perish. And if that be so, why not now, and where you stand? Robert Louis Stevenson (1850 - 1894)

Day 14

studentessa - 14 Dec 2012 - 12:33pm

Day 14 (yesterday)

Do one bit of excercise other than cycling.
Do one thing extra for Uni, other than going to classes.
Researched for an article
Do one household chore, other than dishes
Took down trash
Do one thing for "flow
Wrote e-mail to my landlord
Do one thing for/in french
Do one thing for myself
Wrote an article

Day 14:



You cannot run away from a weakness; you must sometimes fight it out or perish. And if that be so, why not now, and where you stand? Robert Louis Stevenson (1850 - 1894)

Day 13

studentessa - 13 Dec 2012 - 4:51am

Day 13 (yesterday)

Do one bit of excercise other than cycling.
Do one thing extra for Uni, other than going to classes.
Answered one out of three posts for a class
Do one household chore, other than dishes
Folded Laundry and organised closet
Do one thing for "flow
Sorted through files on my desk and organised them for today
Do one thing for/in french
Did one chapter.
Do one thing for myself
Was lazy, but I don't think that counts

Day 13:



You cannot run away from a weakness; you must sometimes fight it out or perish. And if that be so, why not now, and where you stand? Robert Louis Stevenson (1850 - 1894)

Day 12

studentessa - 12 Dec 2012 - 11:15am

Day 12 (yesterday)

Do one bit of excercise other than cycling.
Do one thing extra for Uni, other than going to classes.
Prepared Answer for Class
Do one household chore, other than dishes
Cleaned up the towel-rack and towels
Do one thing for "flow"
Posted forms
Do one thing for/in french
Did one chapter.
Do one thing for myself
Did my nails.

Day 12:



You cannot run away from a weakness; you must sometimes fight it out or perish. And if that be so, why not now, and where you stand? Robert Louis Stevenson (1850 - 1894)

Day 11

studentessa - 11 Dec 2012 - 5:09am

Day 11 (yesterday)

Do one bit of excercise other than cycling.
Do one thing extra for Uni, other than going to classes.
Read some of the additional literature
Do one household chore, other than dishes
Cleaned up the Coffee-Station
Do one thing for "flow"
Filled out some forms
Do one thing for/in french
Read a text, should really start on chapters.
Do one thing for myself
Did some crafting

Day 11:


You cannot run away from a weakness; you must sometimes fight it out or perish. And if that be so, why not now, and where you stand? Robert Louis Stevenson (1850 - 1894)

Confession and oath

studentessa - 7 Dec 2012 - 11:53am

Okay, so I have not been checking in here daily and only been doing about 4 out of 5 little things. The thing is, I have fallen back into a bad, bad habit, of watching "one" tv-show while I eat breakfast, which has always ruined my routine and it spirals from there, once I start. Today I did not even get dressed.
I am a procrastinator and I won't beat myself up about it or hate myself for doing these things, but try to do better from now on.
So, I am restarting or rather I will do 40 days from now, excluding weekends and I also swear not to watch any tv-shows, including youtube, till I am done with my 5 things.

You cannot run away from a weakness; you must sometimes fight it out or perish. And if that be so, why not now, and where you stand? Robert Louis Stevenson (1850 - 1894)

Day 10

studentessa - 5 Dec 2012 - 7:13am

Day 9

Do one bit of excercise other than cycling.
Do one thing extra for Uni, other than going to classes.
Read some of the additional literature
Do one household chore, other than dishes
Did some more laundry
Do one thing for "flow"
Made an exam plan
Do one thing for/in french
Do one thing for myself
Did some crafting

Day 9:



You cannot run away from a weakness; you must sometimes fight it out or perish. And if that be so, why not now, and where you stand? Robert Louis Stevenson (1850 - 1894)

Day 9

studentessa - 4 Dec 2012 - 8:47am

Day 9, yes I know there were 3 days in between. Need to make some adjustments for weekends, but at least I didn't spend this time watching TV or surfing, but crafting.

Do one bit of excercise other than cycling.
Do one thing extra for Uni, other than going to classes.
Read some additional literature
Do one household chore, other than dishes
Did Laundry
Do one thing for "flow"
Got parcel from the post-office
Do one thing for/in french
Translated all my kitchenmaterials into french
Do one thing for myself
Wrote an article

Day 9:



You cannot run away from a weakness; you must sometimes fight it out or perish. And if that be so, why not now, and where you stand? Robert Louis Stevenson (1850 - 1894)

What a lovely approach!

tabularasa - 29 Nov 2012 - 7:31pm

I may co-opt your list in its entirety (aside from the Uni bit!). Take care.

Day 8

studentessa - 29 Nov 2012 - 4:47pm

Day 8

Do one bit of excercise other than cycling.
Went up downthe stairs during my break again

Do one thing extra for Uni, other than going to classes.
Did some research for homework

Do one household chore, other than dishes
Cleaned up the wardrobe

Do one thing for "flow"
Went shopping for supplies

Do one thing for/in french

Do one thing for myself
Did some pre-work for a project and treated myself to a guilt free internet-session.

Day 8:

I won't report tomorrow, because I will be travelling. Will still try to work a little, though.




You cannot run away from a weakness; you must sometimes fight it out or perish. And if that be so, why not now, and where you stand? Robert Louis Stevenson (1850 - 1894)

Day 7 Do one bit of

studentessa - 28 Nov 2012 - 5:25pm

Day 7

Do one bit of excercise other than cycling.
Walked up and down the stairs for 15 minutes

Do one thing extra for Uni, other than going to classes.
Studied for my exam

Do one household chore, other than dishes
Brought down trash

Do one thing for "flow"
Went to the doctor

Do one thing for/in french
:-(

Do one thing for mysel
f
Went shopping

Day 7: ;-)

You cannot run away from a weakness; you must sometimes fight it out or perish. And if that be so, why not now, and where you stand? Robert Louis Stevenson (1850 - 1894)

Day 6

studentessa - 27 Nov 2012 - 3:24am

Day 6

Do one bit of excercise other than cycling.
Went up and down the stairs during break

Do one thing extra for Uni, other than going to classes.
Worked on things for exam

Do one household chore, other than dishes
Did Laundry
Do one thing for "flow"
Sent the gift to my cousin
Do one thing for/in french
Do one thing for myself
Went to bed early, if that counts?

Day 6:


You cannot run away from a weakness; you must sometimes fight it out or perish. And if that be so, why not now, and where you stand? Robert Louis Stevenson (1850 - 1894)

Day 5

studentessa - 26 Nov 2012 - 7:25am

Do one bit of excercise other than cycling.
Went for a short hike with the fiance

Do one thing extra for Uni, other than going to classes.

Do one household chore, other than dishes
Hung up the mirror

Do one thing for "flow"
Made gift for cousin

Do one thing for/in french

Do one thing for myself
Wrote Article

Day 5: :-(

You cannot run away from a weakness; you must sometimes fight it out or perish. And if that be so, why not now, and where you stand? Robert Louis Stevenson (1850 - 1894)

Day 4

studentessa - 24 Nov 2012 - 4:11pm

Day 4

Do one bit of excercise other than cycling.
Got out 4 stations early and walked 2 kilometres with shopping bags
Do one thing extra for Uni, other than going to classes.
Watched an assigned movie for a class
Do one household chore, other than dishes
Did laundry
Do one thing for "flow"
Bought supplies for christmas projects and the apartment
Do one thing for/in french
Do one thing for myself
Did my nails

Day 4:


You cannot run away from a weakness; you must sometimes fight it out or perish. And if that be so, why not now, and where you stand? Robert Louis Stevenson (1850 - 1894)

Student Tessa: Love this

Chatty - 25 Nov 2012 - 1:28am

I love this method. Will incorporate! Keep it up!!!!!

I love this approach too

knitfisher - 24 Nov 2012 - 7:03am

You're doing excellently well. Pat yourself on the back.

I'm interested how you define 'flow' is it getting rid of things that get in the way, or something else?

KF x

Thanks!

studentessa - 24 Nov 2012 - 1:39pm

Thanks for the comment, knitfisher, glad you like the method and you are invited to join in if you want to!

Well "flow" is defined by me as things that do not occur regularily or maybe only once or twice a year, but are important and that can be annoying because they are not "routine", like getting appointments with a new person, going to the doctor, paying irregular bills, visiting relatives, writing a letter of complaint, buying some big thing that needs research... you name it. They are mainly things I procrastinate on a lot and that stop my "flow" in other areas as well, because they sit in the back of my head. And I think if I tackle them one a day, I won't get a list like: Pay bill x, then call y, then I still have get an appointment with z and find a gift for a... and then watch a tv-show out of exhaustion instead. I am sure everyone has those, right?

You cannot run away from a weakness; you must sometimes fight it out or perish. And if that be so, why not now, and where you stand? Robert Louis Stevenson (1850 - 1894)

Day 3

studentessa - 23 Nov 2012 - 3:55pm

Day2

Do one bit of excercise other than cycling.
Ran up and down the stairs five times.
Do one thing extra for Uni, other than going to classes.
Organized my notes, but did little else.
Do one household chore, other than dishes
Painted the bathroom
Do one thing for "flow"
Foud a new doctor and got an appointment
Do one thing for/in french
Do one thing for myself
Wrote half an article

Day 3:



You cannot run away from a weakness; you must sometimes fight it out or perish. And if that be so, why not now, and where you stand? Robert Louis Stevenson (1850 - 1894)

Day 2

studentessa - 22 Nov 2012 - 2:43pm

Day 2

Do one bit of excercise other than cycling.
Did sit-ups and push-ups in the morning
Do one thing extra for Uni, other than going to classes.
Read a chapter for the test next week
Do one household chore, other than dishes
Cleaned the bathroom, cat-litter, dusted and vacuumed (catching up, basically)
Do one thing for "flow"
Mailed script and also found someone to give me her script
Do one thing for/in french
Do one thing for myself
Will finish writing that entry

Day 1:




You cannot run away from a weakness; you must sometimes fight it out or perish. And if that be so, why not now, and where you stand? Robert Louis Stevenson (1850 - 1894)

Day 1

studentessa - 21 Nov 2012 - 4:19pm

Do one bit of excercise other than cycling.
Jogged up the hill to classes instead of walking slowly
Do one thing extra for Uni, other than going to classes.
Revised with a colleague for the test next week
Do one household chore, other than dishes
Cleaned the cat's food station
Do one thing for "flow"
Called the facility management about the bathroom
Do one thing for/in french
Read a short text today and understood nearly everything
Do one thing for myself
Started this thread

Day 1:

You cannot run away from a weakness; you must sometimes fight it out or perish. And if that be so, why not now, and where you stand? Robert Louis Stevenson (1850 - 1894)

well done!

Sunny-Cal Frances - 27 Nov 2012 - 3:57am

Good method. :)

Keep it Up!

Unstuck-ing - 22 Nov 2012 - 12:57am

Good work and love the simple genius of your plan!!

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