The hidden powers of procrastination

Yes I do this. When at Uni I was a real eleventh hour student, I would end up having to pull all nighters to meet deadlines or to cram for exams. If is something we don’t like to do I think we just go into denial until we can’t possibly ignore what has been pending for weeks or months.

Same every quarter when the VAT return is due

Oh yes, the house always gets a good clean before I start the Tax Return. Or MrJ benefits by me doing some baking.

This year I did it in December and paid 5th January. Still had a statement last week saying I needed to pay the money owed!

Oh how I enjoy a good bout of procrastination.

Like Babs03, I always decided I just had to clean the oven or clear out the cupboard under the stairs instead of getting on with a Uni assignment. Jobs that normally would be way down my list of "things I really want to do".

I have spent since Monday of this week staring at a large empty box that needed to go in the garage telling myself I'll just do this...or that. I finally did it today - it must have taken all of 2 minutes, if that.

“Procrastination is the thief of time”.

I read an article years ago in the Guardian that resonated. It was by Oliver Burkeman. He used to write a weekly column called something like “This Will Change Your Life”.

Basically the premise of this particular article that resonated with me (and our eldest daughter Procrastinator in Chief) was that it’s no good just waiting and hoping for the urge to do a task to appear. It won’t.

The only way daft as it sounds he said is to Just Start It.

Motivation follows.
Not the other way round!

No.
Because I hate having a niggle of something that has to be done in my head.

DH’s motto was “Procrastinate Now!* and DGD1 has inherited this trait. I think it stays with you for life and there is no known cure.

When I was finishing my OU degree and had an essay to write, my house was so sparkling you could eat your dinner off the floor!

Casdon I’m afraid doing your tax return today qualifies you as an early bird in my book. It’s not even the 31st yet

I still haven’t started mine and the house isn’t spotless either

My house was immaculate whenever I had exam marking to do. I have always been able to put off today what I should have done yesterday. I'm still guilty of it.

Good luck tomorrow nightowl, I’ve been there too. I was caught out in the year the system crashed on 31st January, that is why my official deadline is now 30th, or the stress gets too much!
I’m glad it’s not just me, but I fear grannysomerset is right, there is no cure.

For those of us who do our best work under pressure procrastination is our friend.

GrannyGravy13

Oh how I enjoy a good bout of procrastination.

Me too!

Petra I’m with you. Leaving things until the last minute is just too stressful.

One of my school reports said that I procrastinated. I had to look the word up. But, no, I don’t just do less important things these days. I just lie on the sofa with the dog watching box sets.

There's a Cornish saying;
Don't put off till tomorrow what you can leave until the day after.

MayBee70

One of my school reports said that I procrastinated. I had to look the word up. But, no, I don’t just do less important things these days. I just lie on the sofa with the dog watching box sets.

😂😂!
I sit and knit, or put my feet up and read. But I did actually do my tax return on 17th January! Felt quite smugly pleased with myself.

LauraNorderr

For those of us who do our best work under pressure procrastination is our friend.

Yes! LauraNorderr. 🤗

The very best thing about procrastination at home is that if you leave some things long enough you might not have to do them at all.

We put off repainting our fence for a couple of years and the wind blew parts of it down so it all had to be renewed. I'd have been mad if I'd spent hours painting it and it then got blown down.

MayBee70

One of my school reports said that I procrastinated. I had to look the word up. But, no, I don’t just do less important things these days. I just lie on the sofa with the dog watching box sets.

Sounds good to me😄

Casdon

Do you find that when you really don’t want to do a particular urgent task, you procrastinate by doing other useful but much less important things?
I’ve had a very productive day today, I got up early, I cleaned the whole house (rare in one go) and then finished my longstanding ironing pile - all because I had to fill in my tax return, having procrastinated for at least six months, and the deadline is tomorrow. I’ve just done the return, which took me less than two hours after all that angst. It’s ridiculous, I can’t seem to change my Last Minute Annie approach, but at least the house is spotless now.

Do you think it’s something to do with the distraction technique widely used by cats when embarrassed , worried or alarmed they suddenly sit and start washing a back leg like crazy for ages.😽
I can’t stand the the thought of putting an important job off so am opposite to a procrastinator, I would have done it before breakfast 🤭

GrannyGravy13

Oh how I enjoy a good bout of procrastination.

You can get so much done when procrastinating!

A teacher once suggested to me that DD was similar to her that's why she understood her - she never managed to do something until right on the deadline!
That's not the term she used but it might not be pc at the moment.

petra

No.
Because I hate having a niggle of something that has to be done in my head.

Oh yes, it can niggle away but it can be dismissed by more interesting thoughts such as cleaning, sorting out a cupboard etc 😁