I admit I am a procrastinator!!
By Sherry Smith
@morgoodie (2645)
United States
April 10, 2018 12:49pm CST
I have always been a procrastinator but lately it seems that I have gotten worse about putting things off. I am not usually one to get my taxes done the minute I get my W-2 and all other tax forms I need, but this year I put it off for way longer than I intended to. I finished them this morning and filed them electronically. Typically, I will have them done by March.
I feel good that I got them done finally and I feel like a load has been taken off my mind. I wish I could change this about myself, but I doubt I ever will. I think part of the reason that I put things off is my issues with anxiety. Do you procrastinate? What do you do to not procrastinate? I'd love to hear your ideas and thoughts!
16 people like this
18 responses
@sprite1950 (30452)
• Corsham, England
10 Apr 18
I'm terrible since I retired because there's always tomorrow! When I worked I had to fit things in so I got more done, now I often intend to do something "in the morning" but I find myself sitting here doing my online sites because I know there's no rush.
5 people like this
@morgoodie (2645)
• United States
10 Apr 18
Yes, it always seems like we have all the time in the world to do the things that we need to do. I sometimes wonder what's the point of the trivial things we do. LOL. Or maybe I am just trying to rationalize my procrastination. I just find as I get older I just don't want to get things done even though I feel so much better when I have them done.
3 people like this
@sprite1950 (30452)
• Corsham, England
10 Apr 18
@morgoodie Yes I'm like that with spring cleaning. I look at the mess and think I really must tidy up. Then when I get started and it looks better I feel great. It's actually getting started that's the problem.
1 person likes this
@morgoodie (2645)
• United States
10 Apr 18
@sprite1950 True getting started is the problem. I look at the mess and I let it overwhelm me and then it doesn't get done. I don't mind cleaning for someone else, I just don't like cleaning my own house. LOL.
2 people like this
@asfarasiknow (3340)
• Bournemouth, England
10 Apr 18
Am I right in thinking that the US deadline for filing is around 15 April? In the UK it's 31January for the tax year which ended the previous 5 April.
And yes, I am a terrible procrastinator.
5 people like this
@asfarasiknow (3340)
• Bournemouth, England
10 Apr 18
@morgoodie Then you're less of a procrastinator than me - mine usually go in online about 45 minutes before the midnight deadline on the day. One minute after midnight and it's a £100 fine.
2 people like this
@morgoodie (2645)
• United States
10 Apr 18
@asfarasiknow Well my motivator was money. Since I get a refund, I figured I better get it done so I could get my money since I need it.
1 person likes this
@morgoodie (2645)
• United States
10 Apr 18
Yep, the deadline is April 15. Probably the most dreaded day of the year for the U.S. LOL!! At least I got them done before then.
2 people like this
@MainerMikeBrown (1373)
• Bridgton, Maine
10 Apr 18
A lot of times I won't procrastinate because if I have to do something that I don't like to do, I'll do it almost right away in order to get it over with.
2 people like this
@morgoodie (2645)
• United States
10 Apr 18
I wish I was like that. It seems the more I don't want to do it the longer I will procrastinate. I am glad that you like to get those things out of the way fast!!
1 person likes this
@MainerMikeBrown (1373)
• Bridgton, Maine
10 Apr 18
@morgoodie I procrastinated a lot more when I was a kid and a teenager. But not much now.
2 people like this
@morgoodie (2645)
• United States
10 Apr 18
@MainerMikeBrown I am the opposite. I put things off more now than I ever did. Maybe because my anxiety is worse now than when I was younger.
1 person likes this
@morgoodie (2645)
• United States
10 Apr 18
I don't know if that is possible. LOL!!! I am pretty bad.
1 person likes this
@morgoodie (2645)
• United States
10 Apr 18
Yes, I have to force myself. I have a stern talk with myself and hope that it works. Sometimes it does and sometimes it doesn't. LOL!!
2 people like this
@mlgen1037 (29886)
• Manila, Philippines
11 Apr 18
You are not the only one. I am a mediocre too at times. You mix it with procrastination, boom I am doomed. 
3 people like this
@mlgen1037 (29886)
• Manila, Philippines
12 Apr 18
@morgoodie hahaha High five on that, Sherry. As long as I do the things I need to do, I tend to be a mediocre afterwards. 
1 person likes this
@morgoodie (2645)
• United States
11 Apr 18
It's nice to know I am not the only one. I think I can be mediocre at times as well.
3 people like this
@Shavkat (139828)
• Philippines
12 Apr 18
@morgoodie That's a good way to make our life in balance. Life is short to live to the fullest as they said.
1 person likes this
@morgoodie (2645)
• United States
11 Apr 18
I figure as long as it eventually gets done, I'm okay. If you work a lot then you should put the unimportant things aside to take some time for yourself.
1 person likes this
@morgoodie (2645)
• United States
11 Apr 18
That's a good attitude to have. I hope it works well for you and you achieve all your dreams!!
1 person likes this
@morgoodie (2645)
• United States
12 Apr 18
I am glad that you don't procrastinate. I need to learn to be like that!
@moffittjc (121548)
• Gainesville, Florida
12 Apr 18
Procrastination is the art of doing nothing! Why do today what you can put off until tomorrow? haha
All joking aside, I know it's no laughing matter to have your back against the wall when your taxes are due. But I'm glad you finally got them done. I did mine the day I got my W-2 from my employer, thinking how excited I would be to get a refund, but ended up owing the IRS money! That wasn't fun at all! lol
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (121548)
• Gainesville, Florida
14 Apr 18
@morgoodie I started working a second job last year, and I didn't pay attention very well in filling out my W-4, nor did I realize that the extra income bumped me up into a higher tax bracket. I have adjust my withholdings to ensure that I don't have the same issue happen again next year when I file my taxes!
1 person likes this
@morgoodie (2645)
• United States
12 Apr 18
I am glad I got them done too!!! I'm sorry that you ended up owing the IRS money. You're right that is no fun. Luckily, I didn't have to pay anything and I am getting a little bit back. I won't wait so long next year.
1 person likes this
@morgoodie (2645)
• United States
14 Apr 18
@moffittjc I am glad that you are able to fix it for next year and you won't have to pay taxes.
1 person likes this
@Iam_jauntyjen (5017)
•
18 Apr 18
I have moments like that ,too! Before moving to Korea (for good) last week,I was a total procastinator. I had put off sorting out the clothes to bring and not to bring,cleaning the house,and packing our luggage.So a had anxiety attack a few days before leaving.
1 person likes this
@morgoodie (2645)
• United States
18 Apr 18
Moving can be overwhelming and I can understand having an anxiety attack over it. Procrastinating about getting the things done doesn't help at all. I am glad that you were able to get moved and are better now.
@morgoodie (2645)
• United States
19 Apr 18
Yeah it's not easy to try to change your ways. I know I am having a really hard time of it. I wish you luck.
1 person likes this
@morgoodie (2645)
• United States
19 Apr 18
@nela13 Thanks I will need all the luck I can get. It would be a miracle if I did change my ways. 
1 person likes this
@morgoodie (2645)
• United States
14 Apr 18
Yes, stress can make things worse for sure and it does take a lot of energy out of you.
1 person likes this
@Starmaiden (9311)
• Canada
12 Apr 18
I'm an avid procrastinator. Thanks for reminding me about getting taxes done.
1 person likes this
@morgoodie (2645)
• United States
10 Apr 18
I probably do as well. I am sorry that you have the same problem as me. I think it is one of my biggest problems.
