Procrastination

[Hollow]

As the title suggests, this thread is about people who procrastinate, a lot. I've been going through this problem for years now, and some of you may think it isn't a legit problem since you can just start on whatever you’re procrastinating at, but it's much easier said than done.

I go through this problem every single day, I usually wake up to have some big tasks for the day, and I end up accomplishing none. Procrastination has been affecting my life very negatively. I constantly think about the task, yet I'm not able to start. Sometimes I even think about something I have to get done weeks before, and yet still get it done literally on the last minute and the quality of my work is 🤬 People often get the impression that I'm lazy, irresponsible, careless and lacking motivation. I know that my procrastination is completely not related to the job being boring or uninteresting, sometimes I procrastinate on things that I love to do.

Procrastinators are made and not born, it's a learned response, and what's learned can be unlearned. I probably possess a lot of knowledge about how to overcome the issue, but I delay that. I don't want to know the outcome of my effort. There's always those "How to stop procrastination" guides, I end up reading half, then I kind of know what the guide is going to suggest, setting realistic goals, breaking down tasks into smaller ones, promising a reward, making lists, etc. None of those things have worked out for me, or maybe I'm not trying hard enough. I tend to start cleaning things when I have to get something big done. I don't feel right or focused enough if I don't.

No matter how I do my duties, I always feel guilty, guilty about not starting earlier and doing better at it. I don't even know if I'll do better at stuff if I start early, because then I'll procrastinate thinking I have loads of time. It sounds like a very lame, simple problem, but I'm very very bad at properly starting things on time.

This thread isn't made to particularly figure out how to end procrastination, but it's to vent out any frustration or other feelings you might have if you go through this. Everyone has their own way of procrastinating on things, so post and share if you like, or you can just do that.. tomorrow…

 

[W3H5]

I was goinh to write an epic post about my own procrastination but I can't be bothered right now. Maybe tomorrow.

Oh, and welcome back. 👍

 

[Flex0r]

Yep I experience the same thing mostly, if I have a week off I think of all the things/chores I could get done, but I mostly end up doing half of them.
I know I lack certain discipline, especially on the area of doing things while I have time for them, instead of thinking "I don't want to, I'll do it tomorrow" etcetera etcetera.
Must say I managed to improve my discipline over the past months, but it still leaves much to be desired.

 

[kennylmao]

I'd like to reason it with this, "What little time I have left from delaying gives me the motivation to do things. The crazy deadline brings the inspiration." But the truth is I'm just a procrastinator.

And about procrastination on things you love to do, try doing the things you dislike. For me, I draw when I'm in class and only when I'm in class. I dislike class, I want to do something I like, I draw. When I'm not in class, I want to draw, but I never do. I don't even know which I'm procrastinating on now, the classes or the drawing?

Procrastination also might manifest because of, a fear of failure, possibly? I know I had those before. "If you don't try, you don't fail." Anyone here watched Lonesome Jim?

The things I feel most guilty about is not replying to people's messages/emails/chats.

Shrugs. Good luck breaking the habit!

 

[AlvaroF]

"I should study! Maybe a bit later, now, bit more of GTP!"

This is me everyday... I'm not a pure procrastinator but the things I delay that I could have done is way too high. Answering to people, play games, study, sleep, etc. The only thing I don't procrastinate is when it comes to eating or drinking. I do not suffer from last minute inspiration but I'm forget lots of stuff and then when I remember I'll say I'll do it later, which is a lie.

I hate being a procrastinator but I just can't help it. I'm as lazy as it could be and that's related to procrastination, but I come to think that is "psychological problem". Fortunately I have people to share my... it's too hard work to write the rest. Maybe later

 

[W3H5]

I'm a massive 'eating' procrastinator. That's probably more of a mental problem I have than a lazy bone.

To clarify - I rarely enjoy eating, I eat for fuel not enjoyment.

I find myself preferring to eat as little as possible using a combination of smoking and drinking (Coke, chocolate milk...) to suppress my appetite for food.

Even now at breakfast time I think to myself 'I'll just watch the Giro first' and then once the racing is finished Ill find another way to delay eating, whether it's drinking to fill me up or coming back online for an hour.

 

[Azuremen]

@W3HS - get Cannabis, problem solved

I tend to stall on deciding what to work on, which means slowly burning away time doing trivial small tasks rather than just picking one project at a time. Result is work piles up and then I go into panic/anxiety crunch mode and rush it all, quality suffers and so on.

 

[Dan]

The OP describes me so accurately, it's scary.

 

[W3H5]

@W3HS - get Cannabis, problem solved

If only it was that easy. Solve one problem and create a whole bunch more.

Even in my stoner days I never got munchies like most people do, I would still only get a bag of Doritos to eat and fill up on a 2ltr DrPepper.

I thin it's because I find eating such a chore that I put it off like I would a difficult piece of work. I fact, sometimes in the office I will spend time on a piece of work rather than eat. Like I say, it's probably more phycological than lazy.

I'm doing it now.

 

[Techy]

Even though I deny myself that I procrastinate, I do it so many times. In fact, if I didn't procrastinate as much as I did, life would've been a bit easier. But no, I made it harder for myself by procrastinating. The program that I'm in for my school will probably whip me up to shape.

And about procrastination on things you love to do, try doing the things you dislike. For me, I draw when I'm in class and only when I'm in class. I dislike class, I want to do something I like, I draw. When I'm not in class, I want to draw, but I never do. I don't even know which I'm procrastinating on now, the classes or the drawing?

I doodle a lot in class too. I've kept doing it since elementary school. But it isn't really procrastination for me. I still focus on the class. It's just the material we're learning is either tedious or obvious or that I've already read and practiced on. What I consider procrastinating is actually practicing to draw in my own time.

 

[Azuremen]

I thin it's because I find eating such a chore that I put it off like I would a difficult piece of work. I fact, sometimes in the office I will spend time on a piece of work rather than eat. Like I say, it's probably more phycological than lazy.

I'm doing it now.

Sounds like you need to learn to appreciate the wonderful aspects of food, the tastes and textures etc. It isn't a chore, its a block of the day to relax during

 

[AspecBob]

I'd like to join the club. I'm 50 and I've been this way since my teenage years, I believe. Pretty much like the OP describes it, except that I may very well be lazy on top of that, though. And I have a very similar problem to Shem's eating habits... except I don't mind the eating itself, more like the preparation of food... always seems like a waste of time to me. I'll sometimes wait until I'm almost shaking from lack of food before doing something about it, because I'll be busy doing something else.

Why is it so hard to put off procrastinating to a later date? Bit of a paradox, here...

 

[W3H5]

I find food preparation tedious unless I'm cooking for others, so I mostly eat snacks rather than proper meals.

There are many 'normal' things I consider a chore which I put off doing to the detriment of my health and career. Things like going to the dentist or getting a wound checked by a doctor. In fact, I've been putting off the dentist visit since I was 9, that was close to 2 decades ago.

 

[photonrider]

I need to get in here soon.

Soon.

 

[Slash]

I'm the worst. I've put off getting my drivers license for years, an only just now getting it because I am forced to.

You basically have to threaten my with severe bodily harm and mean it for me to do anything otherwise I'm probably the laziest person you'll ever meet.

 

[Azuremen]

I find food preparation tedious unless I'm cooking for others, so I mostly eat snacks rather than proper meals.

I can relate to that. A lot. I'm capable of cooking fairly elaborate meals, with a few basic courses even, but making food for myself

My go to, being a bit lazy, is simple things like eggs with some fruit on the side for breakfast. Lunch is either leftovers from dinner or cheese/hummus/crackers with peppers or a salad. Dinner is stir fry often, sometimes with a basic soup and rice. It all is straight forward to make with minimal time involved, but proper seasoning and refreshing ingredients make it worth the effort.

And you live in Thailand with a Thai wife. That is some of the best food in the world, in my opinion

There are many 'normal' things I consider a chore which I put off doing to the detriment of my health and career. Things like going to the dentist or getting a wound checked by a doctor. In fact, I've been putting off the dentist visit since I was 9, that was close to 2 decades ago.

I played a lengthy game with the dentist. Ended up with a root canal. Get a check up before things get wild, part of the downside of our processed food era is what they do to enamel and teeth. And smokes and coffee and soda aren't helping

 

[W3H5]

My teeth are terrible. Both stained from pop and smoking and weak/ sensitive from years of sugary food and drink.

I think Ill wait until they're all about to drop out and then get some dentures.

 

[kikie]

Procrastinate = indecision?


[joke]

I couldn't decide if I should make this post or not.


[/joke]

 

[AzNTypeR]

Well, I'm sitting here writing this whilst I'm supposed to be doing Homework.. ;3

Procrastination, it is the way of life. Appreciate it! 👍

 

[LMSCorvetteGT2]

Procrastination: because the world needs clutch players

 

[kennylmao]

I'm the worst. I've put off getting my drivers license for years, an only just now getting it because I am forced to.

I could've gotten mine when I was 17. I finally got it when I was 20.

@W3HS Is it because eating is absurd? You eat, you get hungry, you eat again; there's no end to it.

 

[W3H5]

Not really that. Imagine if you don't smoke but had to smoke cigarettes all the time otherwise your body would malfunction. That's how eating feels to me. It's an unpleasant necessity most of the time, but I do occasionally enjoy a meal.

 

[silverstar189]

I've had this problem for years and think I may just now be turning a corner. A few things:

Are you getting enough sleep? I never had the motivation or energy to do anything but I also had a second job at night that I held for years. It was only after a month or so of getting proper sleep at a decent time that I felt an increase in energy.

I kept procrastinating because I felt in doing something I was wasting time that I should be spending doing nothing, chilling. But really, doing something isn't going to do you any harm.

 

[kennylmao]

Not really that. Imagine if you don't smoke but had to smoke cigarettes all the time otherwise your body would malfunction. That's how eating feels to me. It's an unpleasant necessity most of the time, but I do occasionally enjoy a meal.

Do you refuse because it's something you need?

 

[Lizard]

Ahh procrastinating. I do that regularly. Although after submitting an assignment late I swear never to do it again.

Not really that. Imagine if you don't smoke but had to smoke cigarettes all the time otherwise your body would malfunction. That's how eating feels to me. It's an unpleasant necessity most of the time, but I do occasionally enjoy a meal.

You are the direct opposite to me then. I love eating. Well if I like the food I love eating.

 

[XS]

I used to procrastinate all the time, really badly, but then I got a job that required careful planning ahead and strict adherence to a daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly plan. Since then I lose my mind and get very anxious if I procrastinate what-so-ever.

 

[lbsf1]

I have exams in a month. I'm managing to revise quite a bit however my guitar is the ultimate procrastination tool. Designed simply to be so easy to pick up from its stand and then allow me to spend litterally hours practising under the justification that learning an instrument is good.

 

[Lizard]

I have exams in a month. I'm managing to revise quite a bit however my guitar is the ultimate procrastination tool. Designed simply to be so easy to pick up from its stand and then allow me to spend litterally hours practising under the justification that learning an instrument is good.

Jealous I have exams tomorrow. Although by next Thursday my exams are done and my summer holiday starts.

 

[lbsf1]

Jealous I have exams tomorrow. Although by next Thursday my exams are done and my summer holiday starts.

I don't finish until June 23rd so I'm the one who is jealous haha.

 

[Saidur_Ali]

The OP describes me so accurately, it's scary.

Same here, more or less word for word.

Ahh procrastinating. I do that regularly. Although after submitting an assignment late I swear never to do it again.

We'll see about that .