How to get things done?

I don’t procrastinate. However, since retired, I get really anxious and stressed when I have to do anything complicated which involves IT.

For example our broadband was not working recently.

After talking to the customer service at Talktalk for about 30 minutes (the lady even told me to unscrew the master socket on the wall!) eventually, she decided to send a TalkTalk engineer to our house to run a test to locate the fault.

I was so relieved when the engineer told me he could use the additional phoneline which has been discontinued to get our broadband going again without having to set up a cherry picker to run another line from the telegraph pole to our house.

Other things like housework, decluttering did not bother me, I do them whenever I can. I remind myself to do at least one task a day.

You made me laugh! I’m exactly the same. All the years working, running a home with 3 children (useless) husband. Would get so much done.
Now divorced, children all grown up with their own families, I’m retired & and oh ‘it’ll get done later’!

Glad I am not the only one! Had busy job, 4 kids but got everything done! Now when I have a free day, I spend a lot of time distracting myself with Gransnet, social media, reading the papers on line etc until it’s tea time and nothing has got done!

A life coach once taught me to create my own deadlines or ‘end effects’ to motivate my inner-faffer to get things done.
I call it ‘beat the clock’: when the faffing gets out of hand, I make a to-do list, allocate 20 mins to each item, set an alarm for 10 mins on my phone (used to use a kitchen timer) and then stop each task on the list when the alarm goes off and move to the next item. Often things on the list are done by then, but any that are unfinished, can be given 20 mins next time round, and so on. Remember to build a refreshment break or other reward activity into the list!
‘Beat the clock’ works well - and once I’m on a roll and have started the bigger tasks like tax returns, the brain is in gear to get them finished..
This doesn’t stop me procrastinating most days but works a treat when needs must!

I have 2 household work days Monday and Thursday, get stuck in from 10am - 2pm,I have to give my husband practical care so Wednesday and Sunday morning is taken up helping him shower. I do a lot of my shopping on line. Tuesday and Friday are our going out days always try to to do something fun. Said when we retired I wanted no set routines but life got in the way.

I’m exactly the same

By nature I’m a terrible procrastinator, but I couldn’t do it at work, so I’ve carried on using my coping with it technique of eating the elephant first.. Since I retired I’ve adopted Flylady, so I mindlessly follow my housework list first thing in the morning with loud music on, which includes decluttering and irregular cleaning jobs too. It takes me less than half an hour most days. Carrot and stick is my friend - a reward cup of coffee after I’ve done my job for the day usually works. Other jobs are listed in my head, and if I’m at home I do one of those every day too. I’m failing on paperwork though, I despise it!

Cabbie21

I have done it!
My Tax Return. It has done my head in as I hate to anything with figures. I have to do one because of a tiny French pension, which varies each month, so I have to go through my bank statements and tot up the sums. France sends me an annual statement but their tax year runs from Jan-December. How sensible!
Yes, a good idea to intersperse an unpleasant tasks with an easy one, or a break to do something pleasant.

I have the same problem, however, I have to calculate my variable English pension and rents each month for the French tax system was which is done in June. I am taxed in France on my English pension but although I have to list the English rent I have to pay that in the UK.. The UK tax papers are still sitting on the table, undone.

Yep, had demanding job, two children etc. Now retired and have slowed down. However I do like to feel there has been some purpose to my day ( apart from 2.5 days with my beautiful DG!) so I always complete one task, however small. Rest of the day is mine, recovering from said 2.5 days! which I love.

I make lists. That don't get completed. Yet when I was a single parent working a full time and two part time jobs, my house was immaculate, as was the garden. I'm older now and have a limiting health condition, but still...

Mollygo

Cabbie21

I blame Gransnet and similar online distractions!

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I blame school holidays.
Prep is essential, so gets done, but housework needs visitors.

I could procrastinate forEngland! If I get visitors at short notice they have to take me as they find me because there is way too much to do to make things as they should be!

Today I joined a 'Knit and Natter' group for the first time as I have a sewing project with a deadline approaching and I never get enough done at home. There is always some distraction. I realised the 2 groups I already go to won't be enough to get the project finished in time so went to the one at the local library. It was lovely to meet some new people and I already knew one of them who goes to one of my other regular groups.

Murphy's law " work expands to fill the time available"

I start the day - up at 8:00 ish, then do some games on my phone whilst waiting for Husband to get up, (10:00). I then make coffee, breakfast, empty dishwasher, sort out items need washing by hand. Settle down for a bit to watch TV, then upstairs to go on computer to check emails/facebook, library, etc. By that time it's nearly lunch and time to decide what we are having, either one makes lunch, then rest for a while read a book or watch TV. Sometimes a nanny nap, then a bit of housework if not done earlier hoovering, cleaning kitchen, make bed, and other things that need wiping down or putting away. Well evening and TV progs are ok, 7;30-8:00 Evening Meal, Load dishwasher, wash TV till 10:00 - 10:30, then off to bed to read for 1/2 hour or so. Another day over.

Me too!

M0nica

I have ADHD, retiring was fatal for doingthings. While I was working and had externally imposed deadlines, the effect carried through into my non-work life, but now.............

Me too.

I find deadlines stressful, but need them to spur me on. I stick to them at work, but without them at home it's too easy to let things slide.

I tend to tidy on Thursdays as the cleaner comes on Fridays. I try to run the dishwasher before going to bed and empty it whilst the kettle boils in the morning, but otherwise I hate routine. I did a big declutter last year, and need to do another top-up round before long, so that when Christmas comes there is wardrobe space for visitors and I don't have to rush about moving things from A to B. Things like that build up, as I'm not good at keeping on top of them.

I've just discovered, on the World of Books website, that there is a book entitled The Secret Life of Clutter.
It actually sounds like a good therapeutic read.

I started two YouTube channels, one for crochet and one for music. I actually put pressure on myself to do that, despite not seeing a penny for it yet.
As for housework I always find something else that I would rather do, knit or crochet or work on my videos, research photos etc. I also love watching reaction videos on the YT and live videos of bears, volcanoes and planes. I am always ‘working’ while doing so though.

Hi Monica. Another ADHDer here. I was going to say that ADHD Facebook groups recommend a thing called body doubling. Someone agrees to support you online and they get on with whatever they need to do at the same time. In real life you could ask someone round to help you sort the wardrobe etc. I'm hoping to get a cleaner and will need to tidy up for them. Trouble is I'm in the middle of a lot of things

👍🏼 this is great thread thanks
Sooo glad I'm in good company! I think we can be a bit hard on ourselves - maybe it's because we are comparing to what we used to do and had to do! But then again it wasn't great. I know I never sat down to watch telly was on the go all the time we are human? Some people have cleaners etc, It's just about time management, but also what your mood is like that day so let's be kind to ourselves just going to make another cuppa and get dressed!! Haha Another thought, My friends and I panic a bit when we can't remember a name, But when we were half this age we still forgot Shell Shell names!, but we didn't beat ourselves up, We do it now out of dementia fear , don't we? Have you noticed that when your mind goes calm the name pops into your head?😊

I faff for Wales since retirement - great!

When family are here visiting and staying for a week or so I just do the bare minimum of housework. When they leave it's all systems go and beds stripped and folded up, sheets all washed, house hoovered right through, everywhere dusted, kitchen cupboards wiped down, ironing done, bathrooms cleaned etc. It does take me about 3 days as I have a lung condition so have to stop frequently for rests. Also do the same in the days before they arrive. I'm quite tidy usually (though their stuff is everywhere atm) so cleaning is easier. I do keep on top of the washing though even if we have a houseful.

Faffing is a wonderful word, 18th century.
I'm supposed to be catching up on chores after being away on holiday.
I'm faffing about now, looking on here!!
Oh well back to the grind !!

People have always said that if you need something doing ask a busy person.. I try to keep some activities booked up in advance otherwise I just have a tendency to mooch around my home.. I can also clean up really quickly for visitors!!!

I am a faffer too! Must admit I am lying in the bath reading Gransnet at 11.40 am!! Have had an early morning walk and tidied up and put a wash on but that is all so far today!

LauraNorderr

I have a first class degree in faffology. Both an art and a science.

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Next step-an Olympic sport?