Do you procrastinate? If so, how do you beat it?

[Skut]

I am finding myself at a point in life where I seem to do anything humanly possible that distracts me from what actually has to be done.
For example, trolling PSB rather than replying to work related emails; avoiding making phone calls that will only take a moment;. not filling in forms to do with a major investment.
I only seem to work effectively on an "on demand" basis (and on demand I do work well)

But seriously, who else wrestles with this apathy, and what strategies have you employed to fight it?

[Corona White]

Yes

Procrastination is the foundation of a successful career if your working for the right company.

[I Fancy Holidays]

I do. Don't ask me what helps though.

[Sventek]

You're describing some symptoms of depression/anxiety in men. Might be worth getting things checked out.

[timmay]

But seriously, who else wrestles with this apathy, and what strategies have you employed to fight it?

All the way through school as well, Assignments were done the day before they were due, even if I had 3 months to complete them.
Now, the ONLY way I can get myself motivated, "the sooner its done, the sooner I get paid. or The sooner I can have another scotch"

[I Fancy Holidays]

All the way through school as well, Assignments were done the day before they were due, even if I had 3 months to complete them.

I always thought this was normal. I started doing this around year 10 and i went from straight A student to C's.

[Skut]

You're describing some symptoms of depression/anxiety in men. Might be worth getting things checked out.

Nothing gets past you

[Phildo]

Edit: will re-write post later.

[WIGARUS]

I am in this exact position as far as my work is concerned. I doubt it has anything to do with anxiety or depression, because I have no problems getting motivated to renovate the house, or do work estimating for my former employer (which also used to bore me). I put it down to the fact that I am bored out of my skull. I'm doing about half the amount of work that I was this time last year and its probably got a lot to do with me being too uninterested to quote.

I've decided to employ someone to do the majority of my paperwork for me so that I can focus on things that don't bore me (yet) and try and grow my business.

[Twigs]

I have two assignments to finish for my course... I've done sweet f'a for them :/
I promised myself I was going to do it today- and didn't
I won't be doing them tomorrow because I've made tomorrow shopping day.
Wednesday will be my study day... I'm forcing myself. I also need to ring up a few people to help with onsite work for assignments....funnn...

[mekon]

I do, always have, but I get there in the end. Sometimes I don't as I realise along the way I don't really want what it is I'm trying to do.

I like this site for some suggestions:

Dumb Little Man - Tips for Life

Despite the title Twigs, it's relevent to all. Just get the essence of these suggestions, don't get bogged down in them.

There's no such thing as a miracle self help guide. They can give you ideas, but ultimately you have to just get on and 'Do it!'

I have help, have learnt skills through Cognitive Behavioural Therapy like ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy) all my life. Managed to move myself on from some socially debilitating issues. Pretty cool these days. I guess, sorting yourself out with good diet, bit of exercise and good rest/sleep helps immensly.

Sometimes you just have to accept that friend is pushing you for your own good and go with it. Once you get yourself up and out there 'doing' and partaking in life it seems to flow on.

Sometimes you think there aren't enough hours in the day, but you can do so much more without burning out. If you find yourself sitting in front of computer with all your study books there doing nothing for more than 10 minutes, get up and go outside or do something else for a bit, then come back to it. I'm on nightshift and have managed to get a lot of material for going back to uni next year as well as working and other tasks. So I can be a step ahead when class starts so to speak. Just refreshing my memory with the guides and online materials available so I don't spend that first week trying to learn all over again how to reference texts properly. You need to live in the now, just try and start I guess.

Mind you my last degree took nearly 7 years to finish as I kept going part time or taking a semester off as I wasn't always feeling motivated. I've got some assesment to finish for another Cert I'm doing as well, I know I've been trailing on that, but I have a day time sleep study coming up, so I'll take my books and computer and have to do it, otherwise I'll be spending 12 hours sitting in a hospital room listening to people hack and cough.

It's kind of like having that pile of books you've bought to get through. One day you pick one up and can sit there for a good afternoon and finish it from cover to cover. However when you find yourself struggling, put it down - do something else or rethink and get rid of it for something else.

[St Ives]

Write a things to do list, the goal then becomes to strike items off that list. Keep adding to the list as necessary until the extent of the list starts making you realise that you better get cracking or bad shit will happen.

[pley3r]

I find with big tasks, assignments etc at uni I write lists of what needs doing on my whiteboard and break the task into little sections. Do each little bit and before you know it its done. Stops the overwhelming feeling of 'this is huge where do I start'

[shmoo]

Was going to reply earlier but thought fuck it, I'll do it later.

[Stoneville]

All the time, but I'm usually doing so much nobody but me notices.

I have an end of year Newsletter to do before the end of the week, out 4 nights this week have both weekend days full already and have to have it ready for 5.30am Monday morning, mm it will happen, but.....

I'm also meant to be co ordinating about 10 people that swim at different times and organising a coach for them on set days, cos I don't actually have much to do with these people it's very hard to get motivated to do.

I think it's easier to get motivated if you are interested or like doing something

[scotch]

I have been doing it a lot lately. I'm 52mins in to my work day and i'm still on PSB.

[Speed Dealer.]

I keep a 'to do' list. And a supply of Mother energy drink in the fridge in my car.

[McGoo]

The best thing that worked for me was having a large calendar of the school term/uni semester on the wall next to my desk. When I got an assignment I would straw a line from the day I got it to the day it was due, different colour for each subject. Before this I always thought I had lots of time, but seeing it in picture form made me realise 'oh shit, only one week left, better get shit done.'

I don't do it anymore, but I still think that way in my own head, helps a,lot.

[Cbr1k]

Sorry I was going to reply yesterday, but I couldnt be fucked.

Yes I am the same here. Usually worse when I have no pressure at work. I seem to be better when I have a deadline etc.

[bobinatcat]

Exercise; keeps you feeling a bit better in general?
Works for me...when I can be fucked!