Is it possible . . .

[John]

Is it possible for some people [like me] to be addicted to procrastination ? But why would you do this John, you may ask. Is it a way to add some drama to your otherwise mundane life or a misplaced attempt to feel like your in control . . .

[misty]

I don't know WHY people do it, but I'm the same way. I leave things to the last second (and beyond) all the time!

[John]

It may also be misguided [as are many unhealthy acting out are] rebellion . . . ?

[jj]

I sure wish I knew the answer. I'm horrible about putting things off. I can walk around for days with the "thing that needs to be done" hovering over my head and even turning my stomach into knots but still I'll not do what needs to be done. It's stupid! Once I finally do the thing I put off, I feel so much better.

So maybe we put it off and put it off so we can get the huge relief once we finally do it? Actually, for me, I don't think that is it, because there are times I put things off so long I get in trouble.

Do we think we don't deserve a happy stress-free life so we sabotage ourselves?

I know for me there is a certain amount of rebellion in me. If someone tells me I really need to do something I get all defiant and not want to do it.

You have no idea how many things, at this very moment, I need to do and it is nagging at me but you can be sure I won't do them today. I chose to reply to your post and after that I'll go do other things on the intenet.

I find it odd we are very aware we are procrastinators. I thought once you admit your fault it is a first step. I guess we just always stay at step one.

I'm sure anyone reading this who does not procrastinate would label us as lazy but I'm not lazy. I'll do a million things other than the thing that needs the most attention.

I imagine, for we procrastinators, our reasons are very different. If I could know WHY I put things off maybe I could do something to fix it. Maybe I do know WHY or maybe if I really sat down and tried to figure out the WHY I'd come to a solution but since I'm a procrastinator I push thinking about it to the back of my minds so I don't have to deal with it.

I do wish there was a magical fix. That someone would just bonk me over the head and I'd be all better.

[misty]

I kind of like the rebellion idea. I'm just like you JJ. For example, someone ASKS me to please take out the trash, I'll happily comply. If that same person TELLS me to do it, I'll make any excuse not to. I don't know if that really is my reason to procrastinate. Underneath it all I wonder if I actually LIKE putting things off because I do it a lot. I'm very organized & I know what needs done when but I just don't do them until its at the point where I have to do it...or until its too late & then I make all kinds of additional work for myself. UGH

[John]

UGH [or is it UGG ] sure describes it most of the time.

POWU ! > > > Procrastinators Of the World Unite !

Sometimes I think I need Procrastinaros Coach, like some ppl have a Life Coach. They could call up and say something like,'' OK John, what are you procrastinating today . . . Ok do you know why you might be doing that . . . what are you feeling about having to do XYZ . . . how do you think you could overcome that . . .''

It's like I can't do it until I have some Exteral Voice promting me along. Argh !

[jj]

Seriously, we all three have a problem. They (whoever they are) say when something disrupts your life then it is a problem and you need help.

Just like Misty, I make much more work for myself by procrastinating too long when it is then too late to do it the easy way.

I have to honestly say this computer is a lure that takes me from projects/things I should be doing. There is no doubt about it. As old as I am, I think I need my Mommy, to limit my time on here. I think I need my computer to shut off after one hour of non-work use and not allow me to get on again until morning when I have to start work. Seriously!

Maybe we need to start a thread to list our important "to do" items and we can nag each other to get them done.

[John]

Nov 5, 2010 13:47:45 GMT -5 jj said:

. . . and we can nag each other to get them done.

OK, I'll start: JJ, GET OFF THE COMPUTER RIGHT NOW YOUNG LADY ! I MEAN IT ! I'M NOT KIDDING ANYMORE!

[sapphyre]

Um, maybe all of us who procrastinate are further along on the ADHD spectrum than those that don't ;D

But at least that makes us more interesting

[misty]

Sapphyre, you might be on to something except for the fact that I don't have ADHD at all. I just like to procrastinate.