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Post by hop2 on Jul 14, 2019 16:00:36 GMT
I am/was also for my whole life. I always just figured I was a combination of lazy/disorganized/worked better under pressure and generally just incapable of doing things in a timely manner. In January of this year my therapist had noticed I was more times then not late for my appointments and she asked me some questions such as was I normally late for events/appointments/work, did I tend to procrastination starting or finishing projects or tasks, did I suffer from disorganization I general. Based on my affirmation of all these things she said I think there's a strong chance you have ADHD would you be willing to do some investigation of it. I did and after testing sure enough I did have ADHD. For me it was an emotional moment/diagnosis because for yrs and yrs I'd beat myself up for my inability to get stuff done.i remember crying and realizing I wasn't just a unorganized lazy person. I took a 8 week course on how to manage my ADHD, take medication and therapy and use the skills I've learned to help me. My psychiatrist told me that there are many adults walking around undiagnosed. If you have other issues such as impulsivity, inability to focus or concentrate, disorganized or forgetful or emotional difficulties I'd encourage you to talk to your doctor about it. I was told if you are smart & lack the hyperactive component of ADHD, having only ADD, your often over looked or not diagnosed. You manage & function & dont disturb those around you so over looked in school as having a ‘problem’ and once you reach adulthood, since your used to managing & compensating you don’t think to seek a diagnosis.
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smcast
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,345
Location: MN
Mar 18, 2016 14:06:38 GMT
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Post by smcast on Jul 14, 2019 16:15:10 GMT
I am not generally one. If I put off something I could've done sooner, it always comes back to bite me. Too lazy to mow lawn today, I'll do it tomorrow. then it rains. Almost always, I force myself to do things when I can so something else doesn't interfere. My dh is and he is so scattered that it drives me insane. If I don't remind him, he forgets and gets sidetracked onto something else. When I do remind him, I'm nagging. Can't win!
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Post by canadianscrappergirl on Jul 14, 2019 16:17:37 GMT
I am/was also for my whole life. I always just figured I was a combination of lazy/disorganized/worked better under pressure and generally just incapable of doing things in a timely manner. In January of this year my therapist had noticed I was more times then not late for my appointments and she asked me some questions such as was I normally late for events/appointments/work, did I tend to procrastination starting or finishing projects or tasks, did I suffer from disorganization I general. Based on my affirmation of all these things she said I think there's a strong chance you have ADHD would you be willing to do some investigation of it. I did and after testing sure enough I did have ADHD. For me it was an emotional moment/diagnosis because for yrs and yrs I'd beat myself up for my inability to get stuff done.i remember crying and realizing I wasn't just a unorganized lazy person. I took a 8 week course on how to manage my ADHD, take medication and therapy and use the skills I've learned to help me. My psychiatrist told me that there are many adults walking around undiagnosed. If you have other issues such as impulsivity, inability to focus or concentrate, disorganized or forgetful or emotional difficulties I'd encourage you to talk to your doctor about it. I was told if you are smart & lack the hyperactive component of ADHD, having only ADD, your often over looked or not diagnosed. You manage & function & dont disturb those around you so over looked in school as having a ‘problem’ and once you reach adulthood, since your used to managing & compensating you don’t think to seek a diagnosis. I'm sure I wasn't diagnosed for several reasons my parents were shitty parents and didn't even go to PTI let alone take any interest in my schoolwork and more importantly the only kids I ever saw in school getting any assistance were clearly kids with physical and intellectual disabilities there were no kids getting help with learning disabilities or other issues it was before educators were enlightened or trained. I did try to manage my weaknesses and issues but most times it wasn't very successfully.
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Post by canadianscrappergirl on Jul 14, 2019 16:26:35 GMT
i am terrible for it. i used to say i was too busy and tired and i will get to it tomorrow, next weekend, etc. now i am unemployed... and i get *some* stuff done, but there are MANY items on my to-do list that should have been crossed off by now. and i think part of my issue may be ADHD related. my DS has been diagnosed and these things often don't come from no where. as his grade 7 teacher said, "when you plant a potato, you get a potato". off to work with kids to purge old toys and games out of closets and bins under their beds. no seriously. More than likely you may have it also. My doctor told me it's as hereditary as eye color or height. I've strongly encouraged my 2 oldest and my youngest to be tested but they aren't very receptive to it. I have no doubt that my oldest and youngest have it, I'd be shocked if they don't. I think for both its really causing issues in their lives both suffer from poor sleep habits, anxiety and depression and my oldest has a gaming habit that is excessive. They both get anxious when it comes to doing stuff that I call adulting/being an adult.
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Post by Pahina722 on Jul 14, 2019 16:37:36 GMT
At this moment, I’m watching the Wimbledon men’s singles final instead of doing overdue grading or cleaning the house. After the match is over, I’m sure that I will find something else I would rather be doing than the boring chores I hate.
Both being lazy and being a perfectionist play into my procrastination. With chores, it’s being lazy, as well as a sense of futility. I’ve graded so many papers over the course of 30 years, yet the vast majority of students just look at the grade and move on. Why should I waste my time marking the problems to help them improve? Yet my gut won’t let me not do it, so I put it off. With things I like to do, like knitting and crochet, it’s perfectionism. Am I making the best use of that fabulous yarn? Am I sure I know how to do this? What happens if I mess it up?
Both parents played into this. My mother was a huge perfectionist. The house was never clean enough. I never was thin enough. Dad never made enough money. Dad’s response was to shrug his shoulders and let the garage and shed and man cave be hoarder’s paradises. Lucky me, I incorporate both.
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DEX
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,357
Aug 9, 2014 23:13:22 GMT
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Post by DEX on Jul 14, 2019 17:03:59 GMT
I used to be a terrible procrastinator. Really, really bad. One time I had a deadline which if I didn’t meet would be career ending. I finished at the last minute but the stress almost did me in. I stopped procrastinating then and there. Since then I always try to get things done either early or on time. Sooooo much easier! I am semi-retired so I have too much time on my hands now. I do delay projects too much but it is more of a conscience choice because I truly do have the time. I just can’t procrastinate important stuff anymore.
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Post by refugeepea on Jul 14, 2019 17:19:31 GMT
I don’t consider myself a perfectionist, but I do procrastinate because I think something will be too hard or take too long. Based on my affirmation of all these things she said I think there's a strong chance you have ADHD would you be willing to do some investigation of it. I did and after testing sure enough I did have ADHD. Two of my kids have been diagnosed with ADHD. When I asked our family doctor, he seemed to shrug it off and it made me feel bad. I should make an effort again. I do like him, but I think I was being really sensitive since I finally decided to ask.
I think in a lot of cases, that phrase is a merely a justification. I have yet to meet someone where that phrase is accurate. I've seen it work either way.
I’ve come to realize that much of my procrastination stems from a fear of failure. I would never describe myself as a perfectionist, but I’m someone whose first thought is often “Oh man, I’m gonna screw this up...” So I put it off. yes, yes, yes!
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Post by pierkiss on Jul 14, 2019 17:51:09 GMT
The Premack Principle works great for procrastination. Essentially it is this: “First I have to do x (that’s usually not so fun), and THEN I get to do Y! (Generally something that is more fun/preferred than whatever x was).”
If your task seems daunting, break it up into smaller parts. “First I have to do Xa, then I get to do Y. Then I have to do Xb, then I get to do Z”.
It works for everything. It even works for getting kids to try bites of non-preferred foods. 😉
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Post by worldwanderer75 on Jul 14, 2019 17:54:18 GMT
I took a 8 week course on how to manage my ADHD, take medication and therapy and use the skills I've learned to help me.
Could you tell me more about this? I have a couple kids with ADHD and we manage it well with medication but I would love for them to learn some additional skills especially as they're getting older.
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Post by canadianscrappergirl on Jul 14, 2019 18:29:10 GMT
I took a 8 week course on how to manage my ADHD, take medication and therapy and use the skills I've learned to help me.
Could you tell me more about this? I have a couple kids with ADHD and we manage it well with medication but I would love for them to learn some additional skills especially as they're getting older. It was such a great course! I think they would benefit greatly. It has changed my life literally! It was offered thru the Foothills Hospital in Calgary in the adult psychiatric clinic. Each week we talked about various subjects such as sleep/diet and how they impact our ADHD. Learned tons of tips/strategies on how to manage it and help us to accomplish tasks. The importance of a morning and nightly routine and how having one can set you up for success. Whenever a group member had a great strategy we had a sheet in our binder to write it down. They gave us lots of apps to assist us with organization and stressed on using some sort of planner. Lots of extra reading material on subjects we covered during class as well. The best thing was in the 2nd week we had to come up with a few projects we'd been wanting to do but hadn't and then from those the doctors who ran the course helped us choose one that was doable but also challenging enough and each week part of our class was spent figuring out how to accomplish it/ get back on task if needed and discussing our successes and set backs. My goal was to make a album for my GD who was coming for a week visit with my son and her mom and I was able to get it done! I'm not home right now but when I get home I'll get you the name of the course not sure if it's a course just developed within the hospital or not. I think everyone who took it definitely benefitted from it and some were a bit more open to trying the strategies. Only one person didn't compete the course but that wasn't surprising he only lasted 2 weeks he was about 20 and he seemed to blame everything on his life circumstances and wasn't wanting to make any effort to adopt any of the help being offered. I was the oldest in the class along with a gentleman then a lady a few yrs younger then me and several people on their 20s. I think for us older ones it was very emotional as we had been living withh it for much longer undiagnosed. I got teary eyed several times when the course would bring up something I hadn't realized was a result of my ADHD.
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Post by chlerbie on Jul 14, 2019 19:01:22 GMT
I procrastinate on everything--even vitally important things. And I get so much anxiety about it, you'd think I'd just freaking do what I need to. But I don't.
I've often wondered about ADHD. I generally give up on things if they're too hard, hate someone trying to tell me how to do something because I have a hard time listening to the instructions and really taking them in, am disorganized in lots of ways (but hyper-organized in others), etc.
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Post by 950nancy on Jul 14, 2019 21:20:01 GMT
I don't think it is genetic. It might be learned or tolerated. I am one who gets stuff done. Well, with almost everything I am a go-getter. However, when it comes to filling up the gas tank or packing for a trip, I am wait-till-the last-second-Sally. With everything else, I want to be prepared, but I need a little excitement in my life. This was my vehicle's panel on Friday. I was feeling pretty good and all, "I know my car," until I looked down to see how much gas I had left. Thankfully I was getting off the highway so my heart attack was short lived.
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Post by 950nancy on Jul 14, 2019 21:22:40 GMT
I used to be a terrible procrastinator. Really, really bad. One time I had a deadline which if I didn’t meet would be career ending. I finished at the last minute but the stress almost did me in. I stopped procrastinating then and there. Since then I always try to get things done either early or on time. Sooooo much easier! I am semi-retired so I have too much time on my hands now. I do delay projects too much but it is more of a conscience choice because I truly do have the time. I just can’t procrastinate important stuff anymore. I find that the more time I have, the less motivated I am to get something done. Give me a list of 20 things to do with a full time job and I am on it. I think having kids around also caused me to be a much better planner.
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Post by birukitty on Jul 14, 2019 22:35:37 GMT
I am the worst procrastinator. I also am a perfectionist and have depression. My sister thinks I have a type of ADD called inattentive ADD that a lot of women tend to have that is overlooked. I'm organized, pack early for trips, but in a lot of parts in my life I do procrastinate a lot. When my depression gets worse the procrastination gets worse. ADD/ADHD wise DS has it, my sister has it, my mother has it, my brother and other sister has it. I haven't been diagnoised yet, but want to go in for the test.
I'm never late for appointments and usually early for important events. But I have noticed the procrastination getting worse lately. I'd like to get a handle on it and turn it around.
Thanks for posting about the TED talk. I'll watch that and I think it's time to make that appointment.
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pridemom
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,843
Jul 12, 2014 21:58:10 GMT
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Post by pridemom on Jul 14, 2019 22:39:22 GMT
I am a nine on the enneagram. I have learned through self exploration that I procrastinate because I am afraid that what I do won’t be good enough to meet the standards or myself or others. I will do other things, no matter how worthwhile they are, to avoid doing something that must get done. When I do sit down to do it, it turns out great because I then put everything into it.
I heard a story from a wife complaining that her husband is avoiding home projects and went outside to water plants....IN THE RAIN! It’s such an enneagram 9 behavior.
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PrettyInPeank
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,691
Jun 25, 2014 21:31:58 GMT
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Post by PrettyInPeank on Jul 15, 2019 12:08:14 GMT
The Premack Principle works great for procrastination. Essentially it is this: “First I have to do x (that’s usually not so fun), and THEN I get to do Y! (Generally something that is more fun/preferred than whatever x was).” If your task seems daunting, break it up into smaller parts. “First I have to do Xa, then I get to do Y. Then I have to do Xb, then I get to do Z”. It works for everything. It even works for getting kids to try bites of non-preferred foods. 😉 This is what I do a lot. "I can't craft until the laundry is done" or "I cant burn that new candle until the house is sparkling because I'll just enjoy it more when it is."
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PrettyInPeank
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,691
Jun 25, 2014 21:31:58 GMT
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Post by PrettyInPeank on Jul 15, 2019 12:19:15 GMT
I'm a perfectionist and often taken too long doing things if I don't procrastinate. It is just my process. Other times I just want to do other things instead of what I should be doing. I could pull an A on an essay that i started the night or 5 hours before (I figured an academic 5 page paper took me about an hour per page). Often I was printing 3 minutes after I should have left for class. Other things i do immediately or at least early. Is it genetic? I don't know but I've probably taught or at least modeled for my boys. (I don't think my parents are procrastinators, but my brother and I are. That's sort of how I am. Regarding large tasks of projects, I only procrastinate on things I know I can nail with ease no matter how late I wait. But I wouldn't say I'm avoiding something, but rather prioritizing other things first. I think about my to-do list and got in order of importance and ease. I'm a little bit of a perfectionist, and opposite of some here in that I've found starting early gives me the best results. Sometimes in a rush there are just variables you I haven't considered, like running out of hot glue at 11pm the night before or my Cricut software decides to do an overnight update. Those sorts of things can make me loathe the entire project. So now I find it's best to go in steps if I can, and break a project down early. As for crappy chores or tasks like setting up a bill or returning library books, I try to stick to the motto of "if it takes less than 5 minutes to do, do it now." Emphasis on the word try!
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Post by mikklynn on Jul 15, 2019 13:52:55 GMT
I’ve come to realize that much of my procrastination stems from a fear of failure. I would never describe myself as a perfectionist, but I’m someone whose first thought is often “Oh man, I’m gonna screw this up...” So I put it off. That is me, too. Now that I am retired, I am tackling large projects a little at a time. I do something productive in the morning, then the rest of the day is mine.
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Post by refupea on Jul 15, 2019 14:47:58 GMT
Me? Procrastinate? I'll prove you wrong, just you wait and see. Seriously though, I am a huge procrastinator. I find it worse when I am anxious and overwhelmed. If I'm not, I am slowly getting better. My sister has taught me to think of 'future me' and how happy she'll be if she has no work! Have you seen the ted talk about procrastinating: www.ted.com/talks/tim_urban_inside_the_mind_of_a_master_procrastinator?language=en THAT hit the nail on the head! Thank you for sharing the video!!
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Post by femalebusiness on Jul 15, 2019 16:46:07 GMT
I am not generally one. If I put off something I could've done sooner, it always comes back to bite me. Too lazy to mow lawn today, I'll do it tomorrow. then it rains. Almost always, I force myself to do things when I can so something else doesn't interfere. My dh is and he is so scattered that it drives me insane. If I don't remind him, he forgets and gets sidetracked onto something else. When I do remind him, I'm nagging. Can't win! If I put off mowing the lawn and then it rains I just think oh goodie I don't have to do it today either. My husband wants to do everything right now, so I just let him.
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Post by kristalina on Jul 15, 2019 16:58:03 GMT
I was up until 2:00 am last night submitting an application that required 6 particular pictures. I literally had 10,000 photos to skim through before I found the ones I needed. Then I still had to edit them. Technically, I didn't wait until the last minute, I still had til midnight tonight. But I don't like to wait until the very last minute or as I have learned over and over again, that's when my computer or internet will crash.
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