[Amura]

I am struggling with procrastination. I do not have the desire to do any thing, I am stuck.
This issue has been ongoing for many years. I have not had a manic episode for a very long time. In my past my life and finances were in order. It all would come very easy to me.
I have read and utilized hundreds of self help books on motivation, life planning, and procrastination tools to no avail.
I have tried schedules, goal setting motivation tools, self talk reprogramming and nothing seems to work for me.
Is there anything that has helped for you? Do you ever feel this way?

[blueoctober]

Yes I definitely have felt this way. It's an awful feeling when things I normally would enjoy no longer bring me joy. During this time I just force myself to stay on my routine. Going to work, going to the gym, going to see my horse, eating healthy etc. etc.. Eventually the depression does lift and I start feeling more like myself, but I find if I don't continue with my routine the depression gets worse. I also found when I was initially diagnosed I could no longer rely on the unrealistic hypomanic energy. I was undiagnosed for so long that I thought that the hypomania was me and I just was more dedicated/motivated than the average person.

A good way to start is to do something that normally would bring you joy. Exercise really helps because it increases those feel good endorphins. You may want to just start with a brisk walk outside for 10 minutes and build up from there. I use this trick that I will tell myself that I can do cardio for 10 minutes and if I still don't feel like it I can stop. Most times after 10 minutes I start feeling better and have the energy to do more.

The lack of motivation may be an indication that your meds need to be changed or tweaked. You may want to discuss with your pdoc. I also find seeing a therapist helps. I hope you start feeling like yourself soon

[ladyjrnlist]

Yeah, I find myself doing that more now that I am no longer hypomanic. Maybe it's normal for people who aren't manic? Maybe that's just how "normal" people live. I dunno.

[Amura]

I don't know. All I know is that I am very unhappy. I can distinguish my goals long term. I know what I want my future to be like. I can't seem to get there one day at a time though. The days keep going by and I get no closer to my goals. I feel very depressed right now so I know that is an issue.
The other thing that I talked to my T today about was that I did not want to dream too big because I did not want to feel the let down of not succeeding.
I have been able to psyc myself up to feel good and do things, believing that I can succeed, but in the end I always end up here. Depressed and unable to move.
I am really having a hard time with moving forward and psycing my self out for the next round of life.
My T told me "well now you have me and this moment in your life where you have never been before, on new meds. Give it a chance."
That was very sweet, but I'm just not there yet. I want a desire to live, I hope it IS different this time.

[Yoda]

Procrastination was the problem I was trying to solve when I found this site. I procrastinate lots of different things. I still haven't filed my 2007 income taxes, I have an item that I should have returned by mail weeks ago, you know the story. One of the biggest problems for me is I procrastinate house work. I found a community of other people who have house work/clutter issues and they have a chat where we can talk and socialize and then we challenge each other to work on a task for 15 minutes and then regroup and say what we accomplished. This social support and encouragement to 'go now' has helped more than anything. If housework/clutter is one of your issues send me a PM and I will give you the url.

[Amura]

'flylady. net." has been a very useful sight for me. Other than that... I can't move forward. I can't make my life what I want. Schedules do not help.
Self Help is beyond me.... FLY BABY

[MissMay1977]

I have found that if I create an activity list and schedule myself to do simple things each hour that I feel more motivated. For an example, I would put down:

8-9 Get Dressed
9-10- Make breakfast

I found that once I did these things and checked them off it gave me a sense of mastery and made me feel better. Good luck!

[reader71]

I have the same problem. Right now I am working on an article that was due at the end of January. Every night when I sit down to write, I end up surfing the internet or watching TV. Ugh!

Amura! I struggle with procrastination too. It is a very good thing that you have the longer term goals though...that is something to congratulate yourself on.

I used to know someone who actually had everything written down. Day. Week. Month. Year. It astounded me, but damn did she get things done! Personally, I've always found the very small goals pretty useful (not totally, but it helps). Another just discovered the other day (um... yesterday?(!)) was to force myself to do one tiny thing (get dressed) before turning on computer. Then forcing another small thing (putting in laundry) before allowing myself to visit PC. Etc. Mostly, I find the "start with a little thing", method to provide enough energy to do another little thing, then I can even go so far as to be "off to the races". Especially with cleaning. It does provide a sense of accomplishment, though it doesn't really move me anywhere in terms of longer term goals.

In terms of those, I am envious of your having them. The only thing in that regard for me is art. It's not likely to provide any kind of big legacy, but something that I need to accomplish for my own sense of having truly expressed myself in something tangible.

Depression does make it more of a struggle. No doubt about it. Can you go backwards from where you'd like to be, breaking it down into steps, writing it down even if they aren't something you're quite up to at the moment? Then it can be a guide for when you are feeling up to tackle the earlier steps? Don't know about you, but once I do get on the up side, I can be very impatient wanting everything done yesterday. At that point it can be hard seeing the earlier steps to actually getting there, because all I can see is the end goal. But if it were written down...

Just an idea.

[sugahorse1]

I battle with this, and work catches up with me BIG-TIME

[wing]

I make lists and push myself through them.

[Amura]

I am reading a new book on procrastination, I am about 1/2 way done. So I am working on and have identified some of my negative self talk.

What I say to myself when I see my to do list:

'To do list' ~ I have to do these tasks I do not deserve pleasure until they are complete. I resent that I have to do so many things I don't want to, I don't have it in me. I feel like a victim, people expect too much from me. I am so far behind these tasks are overwhelming.

Typing it out and reading it back... It is no wonder I don't get any thing done! It is hard for me to believe I am so negative in my own mind. I am looking forward to learning how to stop that!

[wing]

Negative self-talk plagues me, too, Amura. I didn't realize what a role it plays in procrastination until I read this. I am doing a self-help book on CBT and attend the group chat here called "DBT". The group chat may help you, too.

[PT52]

Procrastination is definitely my worst trait. I've done the same thing with self-help books; I read them, but then I procrastinate so long putting what I learned into practice that I've forgotten it all. But one of the books I liked is "It's Hard to Make a Difference When You Can't Find Your Keys"..it addresses the psychology of clutter. I probably should read it again...but I loaned it to my sister and I'm pretty sure she lost it in all the clutter at her house..maybe tomorrow..
Anyway, all joking aside, everyone has made good points here. The only things I get done are written down on a list. That even includes mundane things like doing laundry. Plus, I try to get dressed soon after getting up; I find I'm more motivated that way. Even on the worst days, I try to get dressed. Hope that helps!

[BlackPup]

I battle with this big time.... I find breaking things up into really REALLY small bits helps... like I'll write one sentence then get a break... or find one article and take a break, eventually you end up on a roll for maybe a little while, maybe longer. But in between the good times, its really hard work, constantly pushing forward one tiny step at a time.

[BlackPup]

Originally Posted by Amura

'To do list' ~ I have to do these tasks I do not deserve pleasure until they are complete. I resent that I have to do so many things I don't want to, I don't have it in me. I feel like a victim, people expect too much from me. I am so far behind these tasks are overwhelming.

Maybe try to think "Doing these things will give me a sense of achievement and pleasure" Then even if you only do one thing on the list you get to enjoy it... Its not about finishing the list, its about doing one thing at a time, and rewarding yourself
I always start my lists with something really easy to do!

[Starbelle]

Originally Posted by BlackPup

Maybe try to think "Doing these things will give me a sense of achievement and pleasure" Then even if you only do one thing on the list you get to enjoy it... Its not about finishing the list, its about doing one thing at a time, and rewarding yourself
I always start my lists with something really easy to do!

This is motivating! Thanks!

[Amura]

I just love what you all have written!

Getting dressed in the morning ~ The last few nights I have fallen asleep in my clothes so I really had a head start in the morning!
But honestly that is helping because I have been in my PJ's for weeks now.

I was so proud of my self for getting a load of laundry done, unloaded / loaded the dishwasher, and I got all the trash out of my living area which made a HUGE difference.

So how I did all this YEA ME was to get up and do one thing during the commercial breaks on tv. Usually I fast forward through them, but you know it is kind of fun and surprising to see how much I can get done in the 120 or so seconds.

I'll take what I can get right now.

[BlackPup]

Way to go!!!! That is really great. Keep up the great work

[littlerosie]

Procrastination is a big problem for me also. But I think it's my inability to focus and don't know how to get the focus back!

[sunshine285]

How uncanny, I've always had problems staying focused compared to my family members and friends. It's just gotten worse since I had my first major manic episode two years ago...I tend to get carried away with lots of different ideas but end up accomplishing very few of them. At the time I thought I was being ambitious, not realising I was manic at the time.

Since I've been sick, I've moved back in with my parents and have almost completed my graduate degree. I break my goals into smaller pieces and keep a day planner to stay organised. I guess it helps that I'm a full time student and only have classes a few days a week. But on the days I'm depressed, I don't get much done. It's hard to stay focused when your moods/emotions are askew.

I'm starting to worry about returning to a 9 to 5 job after I graduate, and keeping my job. Much appreciate tips/advice on this.

Thanks and keep smiling, y'all!

Sunshine

[laur88]

ALL THE TIME!! Procrastination is probably the thing that causes the most stress in my life. It's pretty awful because I get behind (just like you) and then have to rush to get things done... very frustrating.

Depression definitely plays a big role with procrastination. When depressed, I don't want to do anything. So I procrastinate for about everything. Are you seeing a therapist? Therapy can really help when you're depressed or struggling with an issue like procrastination.

What I've found to be helpful is taking baby steps. Get little things done and realize the success you have with them. The little things do add up. Also, breaking large tasks into itty-bitty pieces helps. Sometimes when I really don't want to do something, I'll make myself work on it for 15-30 minutes and then take a break. At least that gets me moving in the right direction.

Hope this helps and that you feel better soon! You are not alone!

[sunshine285]

Thanks for the tips Laur, the 15-30 minutes idea may just work for me too...I tend to try working for an hour to two hours and find that I can't keep up. Thanks so much...I'll work on this. All the best to you too

I'm glad I joined this forum, have been having a hard time accepting my diagnosis and coping with all the changes in my life, but the people here have certainly helped. It's a good feeling to be accepted

[sunshine285]

Thanks for the tips Laur, the 15-30 minutes idea may just work for me too...I tend to try working for an hour to two hours and find that I can't keep up. Thanks so much...I'll work on this. All the best to you too

I'm glad I joined this forum, have been having a hard time accepting my diagnosis and coping with all the changes in my life, but the people here have certainly helped. It's a good feeling to be accepted