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.

I am a capricorn and need to see things through to the end. I had a rest day yesterday ie did nothing much, my body told me to rest, so I did. I don`t need to use that word `faffing`, living in the moment as I do, I listen to my body

Today I bounced out of bed and have set to on a major task, sorting out and packaging my hundreds of patterns, into big envelopes. I don`t need to go out for exercise today, I have been up and down stairs umpteen times. Needless to say there is a lot for re-cycling, call it stage 3 of downsizing

I am tired now but can see the end in sight and being capricorn, would rather finish today and be tired, so that tomorrow I can go out on a lovely hilly cycle ride and come back to not doing much at all

Our dog (or dogs) keep us doing what's necessary.

Up early, walk dog, feed, bed her down. Eat, drink coffee, load dishwasher, clean kitchen, on with day - pet hair Dyson, shower, laundry, work papers. Walk dog, make/eat lunch, prep dinner. Walk dog, brush up her hair (less shedding if we brush daily). Finish day - dinner, dog walk, shower.

We are decidedly boring!

I am going to give myself another pat on the back as I have ticked off quite a few tasks on my list this week. I even got ahead of myself yesterday on jobs I normally do on a Saturday morning, so when I got a phone call inviting me out to lunch today I was well chuffed. Still plenty to keep me busy, but it is a good feeling to have caught up a bit.

I’m the same,but I have a daughter who comes to stay every few months which is my saving grace,the house gets a really good clean as she has periodically dropped hints about us moving into a smaller place.She came last week so the place is
gleaming 😁

Make a list every Sunday of the things that really must been done.

I find it satisfactory crossing them off when I have dealt with them.

Some like renewing insurance policies come with a deadline, those that don't you give a deadline - next Saturday evening, and stick to it, unless you have a really good excuse, illness, unexpected visitors, or a family crisis for not having stuck to your deadline.

If a thing doesn't matter, let it be - that is the luxury of having reached the age we have and being retired. We can deal with things when and as we want to.

I’m really good at faffing about, but am disabled now and although the sprit is willing, the flesh is weak! One of my daughters and her two girls stayed for one night this week, so I had to dust the bedroom, clean the insides of the windows, vacuum & make up the beds. It didn’t take long once I got going!
I really need to have a good declutter, but find it really hard and usually end up getting rid of about two items. So it’s going to take a while…

I'm a gaffer also. So glad I'm not the only one. However it would be nice if my husband was one also so I never felt any guilt. He's up with the sun, always tasking, always doing. While I'm easily distracted by tge TV, YouTube, you all or a nice nap. 🤦‍♀️

Yes, me too. I have to make a written plan - detailed enough and with first steps in place, and when. Planning does not come naturally to me but I have learnt to do it and it works - honestly! then I relax around the things which do not require so much commitment. But since retirement I have realised i need something challenging and rewarding to do - keeps me 'alive' and motivated, and have done a series of challenging things, which required planning to get myself to do them. Worth it! Good luck!

I can and do faff for England. ADD helps me retain world class faff status, however I easily get everything done that needs doing.

When I need a deadline to work to, or just to spur myself into action, I put my phone timer on, often for just 20 mins or so. I challenge myself to do a specific task in that time and it's funny how often it gets done in less! Depends on the task of course 😊

I e been told to get an ADD diagnosis as well. I know I have auditory processing issues but I do seem to fit the framework for ADD

I write lists of things that must be done and often there are a lot of items there. I tick them off when completed. I have been known to write down things which have already been done and tick them, so it seems I have done even more than I actually have managed to do. A friend confided that she does the same thing!

I have a to-do list for the day ahead which has routine jobs and meeting and extras. It pretty much keeps me ahead of things and my attitude is that housework is good exercise which delivers ‘indoor steps’ for my Fitbit count. I do the essential work in the morning and have a quick walk before lunch and, after lunch, go out to a nice place for another walk with the DH.

I get very cortisol-stressed in the morning and activity dispels it. I think getting out and about in the countryside is good for mental and physical health.

JaneJudge

I e been told to get an ADD diagnosis as well. I know I have auditory processing issues but I do seem to fit the framework for ADD

Many family members have ADD.

IMO the diagnosis does not help - unless one wants to take the drugs - we've not chosen drugs as the side effects are not pleasant.

Just my opinion.

It's a relief to see that I'm like so many of you. I'm good about doing dishes and laundry but there is clutter everywhere. I have also written a list of little accomplishments and then checked them off. Ha! It gives me a good feeling.

Thank you Norah

I keep my diary and my day book together in my hand bag which when in the house is by my desk. Once a week or so I write a to do list in my day book, later I put the items in my diary, to day I'm having a lazy day so it said 'laundry, face pack, read novel.' Another day I will have a U3A class so any errands in town then such as post office, Aldi shop etc. When I need something I email myself to remind me to buy the item. When I answering my emails or looking at grans net I check these items and put them in my amazon basket. When they amount to £35 and can be delivered free I buy. So a real mixed bag - Rennies, a book on how to write novels, parsley sauce are all coming sometime next week!

Same here re putting things off - that never happened pre-retirement. But I hate it. Our 5-bed house is too big now, but hubby is also a hoarder (and possibly has ADHD but won't consider it). So every room is crammed with his stuff, as well as the loft, garage and cellar. Cleaning is simply not done, other than my bedroom/en-suite and the kitchen/breakfast room that we "live" in. The main bathroom only gets done if we have visitors overnight, which isn't very often. Basically, the house is a tip and it depresses me. But rather than sort it out I just can't face it.

So if I'm in the house I do crosswords and puzzles, and watch rubbish daytime tv, unless I'm in the garden (grow a lot of veg) or out at my various hobbies.

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.

If Rachel Reeves wants to earn back some brownie points after taking away the winter fuel allowance, making our tax year run from Jan-Dec would be a good start.

Norah

JaneJudge

I e been told to get an ADD diagnosis as well. I know I have auditory processing issues but I do seem to fit the framework for ADD

Many family members have ADD.

IMO the diagnosis does not help - unless one wants to take the drugs - we've not chosen drugs as the side effects are not pleasant.

Just my opinion.

I would disagree. I have found it has helped me immensely to know I have ADHD so that I can understand myself and how and why I react to things the way I do.

The diagnosis has been an immense help in my self-management. I have no desire to take any medication at all.

My son and grandson are also waiting diagnosis, but again, working on the basis that the diagnosis will confirm what is already known, the knowledge has been really helpful for both to understand their problems and look at constructive ways of managing their problem.

I would add DS and I also both have dyspraxia, and again knowing the problem has been of great value for the same reasons the ADHD diagnoses is helping.

M0nica

Norah

JaneJudge

I e been told to get an ADD diagnosis as well. I know I have auditory processing issues but I do seem to fit the framework for ADD

Many family members have ADD.

IMO the diagnosis does not help - unless one wants to take the drugs - we've not chosen drugs as the side effects are not pleasant.

Just my opinion.

I would disagree. I have found it has helped me immensely to know I have ADHD so that I can understand myself and how and why I react to things the way I do.

The diagnosis has been an immense help in my self-management. I have no desire to take any medication at all.

My son and grandson are also waiting diagnosis, but again, working on the basis that the diagnosis will confirm what is already known, the knowledge has been really helpful for both to understand their problems and look at constructive ways of managing their problem.

I would add DS and I also both have dyspraxia, and again knowing the problem has been of great value for the same reasons the ADHD diagnoses is helping.

We're saying the same thing, diagnosis confirms what is already known, no need to confirm. Constructive ways to manage the problem is available - without drugs. Knowing - without drugs was my point.

Does anyone else do bedtime faffing? It takes me ages to get to bed! It starts when I decide to go to bed and turn the telly off. Check my phone, play a few games, check the doors, tidy up, then decide to do that job I’ve putting off all day - fold the washing, take the bins out etc. Once I get upstairs there’s more faffing. Lotions, potions, cleansing, sorting clothes, setting alarm, checking phone again …… it’s exhausting! 😂 My daughters are the same and we laugh about it. I can remember I was even the same when I was young and living with my parents- I would call it ‘doing my things’

Good to know I am not the only one who doesn’t get ‘a round tuit’. I had a plate decorated as one once but it didn’t work!