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.

My first submission

I'm in a new situation. I have a ton of time, and I am not using it. I'd like to prove to myself that I can once again use my time for useful purposes. I've no real excuses for my laziness. I've dealt with this problem years before, yet I'm guessing I now need help. I'd perfer not going to a doctor, and I'd like "self help", yet I'm not helping. I hope that this site can help get me back in the saddle again. It seems that most of you have understanding, and I can't continue down the road I'm on forever. I'm not ready or able to retire.
Thanks for reading,
JK

The first question...

...is "What do you want to do with your time?" 

With a lot of free time, you have lots of potential options, and this abundance of options can make it hard to choose something to actually do.  Make a list of the kinds of things you're interested in doing with your time, and work through that list to find something to focus on.  Time doesn't make things happen, but focus can get a lot done.  Once you have a target, you have a reason to do things.

Given "not ready or able to retire"... should one of your projects be a job search or skills development?

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flexiblefine
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TheNowHabit/

Well I guess you got my

Well I guess you got my drift. I have a backlog of lists, and I should be interested in a career change. I just want to get control over myself. I have hope of "snapping out of it", but I haven't, It makes no sense not to help myself. Thanks for the good advice.
jk

Do you need recovery time?

My previous job was with a company that went out of business, and I needed a bunch of time to get myself back together mentally.  For two weeks I did a lot of sleeping, and then for two weeks I cleaned my apartment.  Only then did I feel like I could do more than just sit around.  Are you recovering from some burnout too?

As for considering a career change...  Sometimes it can be hard to think at those higher levels.  It's one thing to think about "the next job" in a given career group, but something else to think about changing your career path to something new.  The unknown of a new career path can make you anxious, and that anxiety can cause you to procrastinate.

Maybe you should start with something that is specifically not work-related, just to show yourself that you can still be productive at a chosen task or project.  You can sneak up on career stuff a little later.

--
flexiblefine
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TheNowHabit/

Thanks FF

I think that admitting that I have a problem has helped, since I've engaged a bit since the other day. I've been through burnout, changed careers, but think I'd better do it again, if I can. I have used all the planing tools before, but I don't really seem to care lately. I'm able to "persue my own goals", if only for a while, if I apply myself.
It's really nice of you to reply, and to anyone reading, thanks.
JK