Introductions and Procrastination Discussion

I spent some time over the past few days trying to identify (some of) the habits that result in procrastination for me. It seemed to me that most frequently when I procrastinate, I am surfing the net during "working hours." So I am going to not do that for the next 30 days (1/14-2/12), with the hope that at the end of that time, I will have broken that habit. I wanted to post about it here as a way of being accountable. Here's how I'm defining things (I know that these "rules" are really specific & nitpicky, but I also know that if I'm not really clear with myself, I'll "cheat" or make stuff up as I go along, so I'd rather lay it all out from the get-go):

About a year and a half ago, I read a very helpful article about dealing with procrastination. For a two-week period after I read it, I experienced the total absence of the resistance that I usually feel toward work, chores, and most everything else I believe I have to do. It honestly felt like a miracle. While I didn't manage to maintain that total lack of resistance long-term, it has helped to diminish my resistance. The article is on a website about "Inner Bonding," a 6-step process of dialoguing with your inner child and higher power.

At times in my life, I have found computer games to be a terribly compulsive way to lose whole days. I deleted the games from my computer, but would then play free internet games.

Last week, I decided to make a change. I realize it's only been a few days, but I believe the change will be permanent. I decided not to play computer games anymore. Period. It was a hard decision and I spent a bunch of time thinking it through and writing about it in my journal. In the end, I decided that for me, playing computer games doesn't add anything positive to my life and is detrimental (as a means of procrastination, as an activity that does not encourage mindfulness, as a way to develop carpal tunnel or other hand/wrist pain, etc.), and that if I am looking for enjoyable leisure activities, I know of several that actually make me feel good while I'm doing them & after (reading, listening to music, walking, talking with friends, etc.).

I find that there are several approaches to procrastination that usually work pretty well for me, depending on why I'm procrastinating. If it's because I feel I "should" do something and I'm rebelling against that, I remind myself that I'm choosing to do it, that I want to do it. If the thing feels overwhelming or anxiety-provoking, I identify the very next physical action (a la David Allen & Getting Things Done) or set the timer for some short period of time to work on it (e.g., 1 min, 5 mins, 15 mins).

Problem: Even though these strategies work more often than not, I often don't remember them (even though they're posted on a piece of paper taped to my computer) or won't do them when I do remember them. Any suggestions about getting yourself to do what works?

Hey guys,

I was wondering if any of you tend to be daydreamers or drifters through feelings of unreality on a regular basis or when your procrastination kicks in.

Hello Everyone,
My name is Monica and I am a procrastinator. I procrastinate in every area of my life except work. And I think that's only because I've never had a job that required independent thinking and self regulation. They tell me when to come in, when to eat, when to leave and what to do between working hours.

I am in desperate need of accountability. There is so much I want to accomplish in my life but I am consistently defeated by my own lack of discipline and "stinking" thinking.

I hope to make friends here and find accountability. I see that you have a place to post todo lists in "Check-ins and Book-ending". I've posted to do list on other sites but I haven't had much success with it. I may try again here... we'll see. I'm feeling kind of low today (depression is also a problem I have) since I didn't do anything all day but surf the net. I'm feeling kind of like its too late to post a todo list at this point. Maybe I'll be up to it tomorrow.

A few years ago, my husband and I stayed at a beautiful bed & breakfast on an acreage. One morning at breakfast, the elderly father of one of our hosts was talking about what gardening he would do that day. I asked how he knew where to start on a property that large. He answered that he worked on "what bothered him most".

What a great little piece of advice for when you feel overwhelmed by the amount that needs to be done and you have no idea where to start and are tempted to do other things instead. Because no matter how much you accomplish, if you don't get around to doing the thing that was bugging you, you still won't have that feeling of accomplishment and it will continuously nag at you.

I'm sure as a senior in high school I am a bit younger than those of you who might be reading this, but you also may be the most helpful since you have already been through this stage in your life. I am a chronic procrastinator in terms of school and I have been experiencing some major premature "Senior Slump". I have gotten by during the past four years with a lot of homework between classes, paper extensions, and showing up late for tests so I can take them later.

Every few months there is a significant slip in my grades when all of this procrastination catches up to me, which usually results in a progress report being sent home and a night of tears and disppointed parents. I feel remorse immediately following, but eventually slip back into my old habits and forget how awful I felt for taking for granted the opportunities my parents have worked to give me and the money they are spending to send me to private school.

Hi all. I just signed up, great that such a site exists...!

I'd like to ask for a little bit of help.

I'm a chronic procastinator. I've been fighting this all my life.

It's been a journey that started thinking the problem was time management, then prioritizing, then organization, etc. etc. Fortunately I got good at all those things so it wasn't an entire waste of time.

The problem is that it wasn't until now that I think I got a handle on what the problem is.

It's the habit. You know which one, the moment when you are supposed to sit down and do your task. But you don't because the pain association in your mind is greater than the lesser pain of not doing anything, surfing the net, watching tv, etc.

Much of my work is longterm or ongoing, and one of my biggest problems is billing customers. I put it off so much that I have to take money from other projects to keep one going. This is really silly, I know, but I did it today. A customer has a bill around $200, and he asked if I needed any money as he left. Duh, I said "Not yet." and he pulled away. The truth is I used funds from another project to move along on his. Historically it's not good for me to get large down payemnts ahead of time, as I'd end up owing customers time--which can be far worse than owing them money. When I begin (or commit to) the job, I then get money.