Is Anyone Else As Much As A Procrastinator As I Am About Decision Making?

I'm the same way when it comes to going to the Dentist or the Hairdresser so I can't blame you there, and who is looking forward to winter anyways....not me. I have all my clothe in the same closet so I never have to pack and unpack from Winter to Summer Clothe. Florida sounds really nice though but I know you're not looking forward to flying and I can't blame you there either. So I guess I'm just as bad off as you are

I sometimes have problems making up my mind especially if the decisions have to be all done at once. I do find that if I do the thing that I hate the most the first, and then go down the list, it becomes easier. I do suppose that you are afraid to go to the dentist because when you get in the chair, and the dental assistant does the cleaning, the dentist comes in and says that you need a filling. And with the doctor you are afraid that he or she will find something wrong, but generally get the worse thing done first and then it will fall in place.

Your birthday is tomorrow? I'm still catching up because of mylot's glitch. I'm way behind on the notifications. Happy early birthday! I assume you'll be turning 30, like me, correct? Or are jut just 29. I know what you mean about decision making, although I don't have the stress of flying to Florida to cloud my mind.

Hi Opal! Well, I think you can set a deadline for each of the things you want to do. And if you are not able to beat the deadline, then you should set a punishment for yourself which you have to abide to teach yourself a lesson. I procrastinate a lot, too. Especially when it comes to school works. It has been my problem this semester. I like beating the deadlines so I just wait for the deadline before I finally move and do something. I don't have a choice but to follow the deadline because my grades will suffer if I do not. So, deadlines really work for me.

I'm just having a think Opal. Er... well, oh hang on there's something here in the paper about World Trade and its effect on Florida orange juice... that's relevant isn't it? No? oh well. Interesting question and one that I often ask myself. Well sometimes. Now, let's get down to it. What you need to do, and do it now before something else causes you to delay is....I do wish Friends would come back on TV. There's an old show on right now. Sorry? Oh yes, getting motivated. Motivated for what.. say again? Hurdle? Now the Olypmics will be next year here in the UK. There'll be hurdles at that I think. Procrastinating? I never procrastinate. No Sirree....

hi dear Opal, I am also really good at procrastinating, I got to say. Maybe you are packing your to do list too full and then you are frustrated about not being able to follow through with the mountain of stuff. sooooo it may help you to first jot down all you should get done just as it comes to your mind. Then have a close look as to what really needs to be done today, like writing a Bday card so it will arrive in time or any appointment. When there still is room for one assignmeht or two then jot them down as well but no more than what you can actually manage. This helps me to get things done. For this weekend its writing one bday card, already done, writing to my old widowed friend as usual on weeekends and thats the most important stuff. Other stuff is voluntary and a bonus when I get to it.

you just might have to lite that fire! get a hair cut first may help with what else you need to do ne haircut makes a diffence sometimes DOnt know why but it might help yu decide on thign

I try not to procrastinate about anything. I am very prompt with everything because I don't like things to pile up.

I have been a procrastinator in many things in my life and in some instances, I have caused problems for myself by procrastinating. It was a bad habit for me. When I got into Zen, I started daily meditation and I am very disciplined about it to this day. This has also brought into my awareness the impulse to procrastinate, but because I have developed discipline, I rarely procrastinate any more. I realize that all of life is a process of completion, and completing tasks is what I do without wondering whether or not it is worth it. If I commit to do something, I will do it, regardless of whether I later feel it worth doing or not. It works, but one has to get out of the habit of putting things off. Do it a little at a time. Just one small task that you feel is not really worth doing each day, will make a huge difference, and it can be very satisfying, but never rest on your laurels! That is my philosophy as a Zen practitioner and in my work as a therapist. _Derek

Like Nike says, "Just do it". That's how I tend to get through things I don't really want to do. I'm not really bad about making decisions.. but I have a terrible time motivating myself to do something I don't really want to do, like go to work, do some cleaning, things like that. I find the hardest part is just getting started. Getting myself to work.. cuz once I'm there obviously I do the work and finish my shift.. I just need to get there. Starting the dishes, because once I start I won't stop until they're done. You know? Not sure what to do about decisions. The only decisions I'm bad at making are ones that I don't need to make right away. I've gone back and forth about taking FIL's house for over a year now.. and we still haven't completely decided if we want the house or not. Soon we we'll have to make a definite decision and stick with it, because once FIL is gone the house is either ours, or the banks. If it's the banks we'll never get it back.. if it's ours we're stuck with it.

Many things could be causing this. If it is a new thing, maybe you are expecting to much from yourself? But if it is an old habit, maybe you need to from some new habits. Try writing a list of 3 things and marking them off, for each day this week then slowly increse the number, if you start to feel pressure back off and reduce the list until you are comfortable again. See if this can work for you.

Oh gosh..I know what you mean. I am constantly putting this off so I can do this instead. It seems like there are always a ton of things to do. I have found myself thinking...I'll get it tomorrow. I think I am a little burnt out to be honest. I think that just following through with one thing at a time might be helpful. I know there are a lot of times I have to "force" myself to get started too.

Happy Birthday, Opal! I feel that way as well ... like time is ticking by and yet I can't get motivated. It usually happens when I feel overwhelmed. I have too many things to do and too much stress, and I have so much stuff that needs attention that I just do not know where to start - so I don't. What can you do to light a fire under yourself? I don't know. Sometimes it helps when I just pick a place and start, because then things just seem to fall into place and I get more accomplished than I ever thought I could. Also, being able to "mark off" some easy tasks sometimes helps to motivate me, and then I can start on the larger tasks, because it does not seem like there is quite as much to do.

Hey sis! I am just like you! I'll let you in on a little secret: in my other job (my offline work), I've always set up myself as a decision maker, the motivator, the problem solver, etc. But in reality, I'm just a big procrastinator! I usually just stumble into things. It helps me not-decide on things. I just pick up on hints and other people's ideas. I'm still for you going to Florida!

That makes two of us Opal. I think we have discussed about cleanliness, house decor, renovation, etc and now procrastination. It is something that I am not being able to get over with. I, too, have a long to do list which just cannot get done due to lack of motivation. Only recently and after a year or so, I got my new specs done. Last week I bought a long pending phone, a handbag, etc. I think, staying motivated is one hell of a task, especially for people like me who do not have much to look upto. The run in the mill life makes me so boring and predictable. I would ask you to chill for a while without being too much disturbed by getting things done and getting them perfectly done. Make a list and try doing them one by one, slowly. Alternate doing them by something you love doing. That would make things easier. Keep us informed.

I don't procrastinate over making decisions; I procrastinate over acting on them. LOL! I haven't looked at the novel that is in its 7th edit since June. I just keep procrastinating. (The internet doesn't help). When I got some more inheritance money in June I had to make a decision as to what I wanted to do with the money. I had 3 things I wanted to do. I checked into all 3 and finally made a decision (after pouting for 2 weeks when my husband went against getting a new car). So now my kitchen is beginning a total renovation. I mean TOTAL! Hubby is tearing out all the cupboards and floor and we are totally changing it. I'm not looking forward to the next 2 weeks but I am going to love the end result. I need to get passports for my husband and daughter, and I'm procrastinating. So it's the actions, not the decisions that I am slow in getting to.

I am like you in that way...I have to force myself to do somethings...not so much make appointments but other things I know can wait I sometimes put on the back burner. Then one day I make a list and do them and cross them off! I feel so much better after they are all done!

Hey, Opal! Happy birthday!!!!! Just tell yourself, "I'm not getting any younger!" which seems appropriate today as the opposite is actually happening with your age increasing another year. Now, how to find motivation in everyday life? I have no clue! Desperation is usually my motivator. I used to need no motivation to get things done; I was a " do-er and shaker" and was usually the one leading the way (being Aries helps there ). Now that I'm older and my world has slowed down considerably, I have trouble motivating myself sometimes. I know the main reason is depression and that is something that can stall even the most energetic people on the planet but sometimes I have to dig deep inside myself to find the motivation I need to get something done. I think you'll get everything done, maybe when each of them becomes urgent but you'll get them done. I need to make all kinds of appointments but have been putting them off and I CAN'T blame being a Libra on it. Try to push yourself hard enough to get just one thing accomplished. I think the other things will follow a lot easier once you get moving. Good luck!

happy birthday sweetie. yes im very much the same. but mine is because of depression and now im concerned that its what is going on with you. you need someone near you to remind you and encourage you to get going even as hard as it is.

Hi Opal! I think you just need to think about things in the order of importance that they are to you. It's so easy to get stuck in a rut of not doing anything at all. I do that too sometimes... and I just have to do it. I think we can all get apathetic at times about things. If seeing your mom is important to you, then I would definitely make plans to see her. I wouldn't wait and then one day find out you don't have a chance to see her again. I've been pondering about seeing my adopted mom for Thanksgiving. I always go to my son in law's family's home... but my adopted mom is 73 years young.. I know she isn't well, so I made plans to see her for Thanksgiving. I'm bringing a pumpkin pie and whipped cream to the dinner. I don't like going to spend the night because it hurts my back to sleep away from home.. so I decided to just go and spend the day with her. I don't like staying too long though, because it gets too hot over there. She has the heat on when it isn't even cold to me... but she gets cold.. so anyway... I'm going to go regardless.. just because I know I might not get another chance next year if something were to happen to her.