Procrastination

I wash my hair everyday- so that is me doomed ;)

Not really procrastinate, I write lists, lots of lists, so 99% perhaps

I was planning to reply to an email this evening (I only received it 8 months ago), but suddenly there is so much important stuff that requires my urgent attention on GN that I shall sadly have to leave it till tomorrow...

'An efficient woman touches paper only once' so as soon as the post arrives I sort all the junk mail into the recycling bin and put the important stuff on a pile - the one in the kitchen or the one on the stairs or the one on the dining table......

This used to bother me but I realised that it was a waste of energy and time worrying about not doing something when inevitably one day I would wake up determined to tackle whatever it was. Then the job would be done easily, better than if I'd tried to force myself. It works for me but I wouldn't recommend it for tax returns...

There's a story about an elderly Hebridean gentleman who, when asked by South Anerican tourists, if there was a word in Gaelic for manana replied, "I don't think we have a word that indicates such a degree of urgency'"

Oh - tell me about it! I am dreadful and always leave things until the last minute; particularly learning music or preparing music for the choir I run. I know what I should be doing, but I put it of and put it off, then rush through it at the last second. It's nuts really - I am sure my life would be less stressful if I just got on with things - but I have such lovely books just waiting to be read; and wonderful GC to play with; and a cozy fire to sit round........

For really important things I will do them straight away, but I am learning not to beat myself up over things I would rather not do. Like mollie I know that one day I will wake up and feel like doing them, probably a sunny day when I always feel better.

I find that the quicker and easier the task to be done, the longer and longer I put it off.

If it can wait in this house, it does.

A bit like the "I'll start a diet on Monday'.

I write lists too, then if I do cross a couple of things off I re-write it so it looks nice and tidy. That takes up quite a bit of time.

We have two filing cabinets full of junk paperwork and three trays each of stuff waiting to be shredded or filed.

My ding table is also littered with Christmas presents waiting patiently to be boxed and posted.

I like the story about the Hebridean gentleman

As retirement approached I yearned for it more and more - that glorious time when no longer would I have to get up at a specific time, meet deadlines, live my life by the clock. In fact, a time when I would no longer have to do anything! So yes, it was a bit of a shock to find that actually there are still things that have to be done. Lots of them .

"What do we want?"
"Procrastination"
"When do we want it?"
"Tomorrow"

I'm a great believer in "Never put off till tomorrow something which can safely be put off until the day after".

My Mum was a big procrastinator and it used to drive me mad - she would start jobs and leave them half way through to start something else. Then went out shopping.
So I've always been the opposite - I get worried if I haven't done this or that, paperwork too.
When I was working I was the only person with a clear desk at all times.
Neurotic really.

I've always worked on the principle of leaving things until the last minute because that way they're sure to be done. I remember, as a student, thinking how brilliant my 4am essays were! Sadly my tutors didn't always agree. Now then, I have a toilet seat to replace....

I would like to claim the title of World Champion Procrastinator.

There is a technical term for the things you choose to do instead of getting done the the things you ought to do. It is 'displacement activity'.
So instead of tackling the paperwork, you choose to clear out a cupboard or sort out your earring collection instead.
DD is a past master at it.
I agree with Mollie that it's better where possible to wait for the necessary energy to magically appear, rather than forcing oneself in the face of what my DM termed 'disinclinitis'.
I find list-making and prioritising helps, as well as recognising that I am 'displacing'. Then there's envisaging the warm glow of self-satisfaction I will get when the loathed task is completed.
I did my tax return this morning <exudes warm glow>

What a great word "disinclinitis" is. It also sounds as if there could be an epidemic of it on GN!

I seem to have recovered from my recent bout and yesterday wrapped ALL the Christmas presents and this morning wrote ALL the Christmas cards. <Hides smug face in case of raspberry blowing from those still suffering>

Its so good to hear that its not just me! Paperwork, catalogues, brochures all sorts of "stuff" that comes through the door even important things they are the bane of my life. When I was @ work I was so organised Now I'm retired I am so disorganised! As you say you have plenty of time to do these things but they never get done. Living alone I just say there is no one to see it only me. Until of course someone decides to visit & then its panic statiions to clean & tidy.

Such a relief to discover that I'm not as special as I thought I was!
I'm tidy and quite organised but... even I have a 'file pile' on the microwave and I'm very good at moving papers from the kitchen dresser to the ding table and then on to the chest next to my handbag!
But I'm normal

I have done several jobs today that needed to be done including having a big tidying up session [smug]
However, that is only because the weather is atrocious and we decided not to go out to see the DGC
Now I am indulging in 'displacement activity' instead of sewing up some knitting.

rosequartz, I can totally relate - I'm sitting here with a half sewn up cardigan on the arm of my sofa. I can see it out of the corner of my eye, guilt-tripping me all the while I'm typing / browsing. I could move it out of sight, but I'm not going to give it the satisfaction

Indinana I am going in a moment to do some sewing up!
I shouldn't read the contentious threads and get annoyed and should definitely not post on them, serves me right for procrastinating

I've shortened a shower curtain but the aforementioned loo seat has still to be changed.

I keep meaning to contribute to this thread, but never quite get round to it . . . .