Why do I wait until the last minute?

Today is the last day of my 9-day break week. So why I have waited until the very last minute to <ul type="square">[*]to 2 weeks of laundry[*]plan lessons for next week[*]read and grade time consuming portfolios[/list]

I started out the week bone tired with dark circles under my eyes; admittedly I have a chronic illness that causes fatigue and joint pain, etc. Admittedly, this list of tasks and more -- vacuum the apartment, put away all the junk that piles up everywhere (I swear naughty gremlins do this at night while I sleep), send out job applications, wash the porch, yadda, yadda -- is not a rare treat to be consummately desired.

I did a few things I wanted to do -- made some origami kusudama, a hobby I started in the past 2-3 weeks, read some more in Women Who Run with the Wolves, a book that is helping me understand many things about myself and my life.

But mostly I watched TV and played computer solitaire. I know that these things can correctly be described as addictions, if we define addiction as something that may seem to make life better or more bearable, but does not.

I really need some tips for how to get out of this rut. Doing something and giving oneself a small reward isn't going to work, because I no longer have much passion for anything for it to seem like a reward. I wish I did, but mostly I have low-grade "I don't care" itis.

I'll be looking for your tips. If you are a long writer, I appreciate it very much if you will self-edit so that I can get the gist of your ideas quickly. in advance

My T pointed out that no one enjoys doing the laundry. I'd "give up" some self-berating to lighten my load. Do a little bit of everything rather than think of the whole thing: do one load of laundry at a time. Are you going to see everyone whose portfolio you have to grade tomorrow? If not, just do 15 minutes of things at a time.

If you want to feel slightly better, waste some of your creative juices on thinking of things you can do while watching TV. I have my weights and I "play" with them while watching TV so I get a little strength work on my arms. Make things a little fun by seeing how much you can get done during commercials; thats often when I do my laundry, dishes and it's wonderful for doing stuff I don't want to do -- the time limiting/speed means I don't have time to fret over how much there is to do and I do "something" (pile the books/papers neatly or make a book pile of those to go upstairs) and get a start on things which makes me feel better.

Figure out how to "learn" something from the TV that you can use in lesson plans :-) I'm always coordinating my studies with what I see on TV. Makes my life seem more "whole" to be able to tie together pieces like that.

I remember past times too when I've done the same behaviors I don't like; I realize that whatever it was got finished fine and all my self-flaggellation and heartache was for naught so I might as well give it up this time and just get to work?

While I assume you are an instructor, what makes you think you are supposed to work on a vacation week????? HUH?

I do see the need for having advanced lesson plans. Can't you give in class assignments while you grade? I was never one to expect the instructor to continue working during all "free" time.

I think you did some good stuff (I have my origami stuff waiting...on my hands mostly ) and I hope you had fun. Now don't beat yourself up over it.

Time's a wastin! Schedule your necessary activities into what time you have this week, and be good with it. Besides, it's not like you have to take the clothes to the creek and rap them on rocks

TC!!!

Believe in Him or not --- GOD LOVES YOU!

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Hi Wants2Fly. If you ever find a way to stop procrastinating, please let me know! I leave everything to the last minute too.

A lot of times when we label ourselves as procrastinators, we tend to beat ourselves up for taking time to relax though. We give ourselves unrealistic to-do lists and try to schedule all our time and then feel like failures when we don't get it all done. It sounds to me like you needed a break. You did some things that were good for YOU. The origami sounds like fun. Doing something creative -- taking time for a hobby -- is so good for your spirit.

I'm sure you're doing all your last minute stuff right now. You'll get it done. I do the same thing all the time. I save it to the last minute, but it does get done. Don't get down on yourself about, though. Remind yourself that you had a nice, relaxing weekend -- and you needed and DESERVED that.

Thank you, Perna, Juliana, and Skye for the fabulous insights.

Yes, my to do list was absurdly long and filled with things no sane person would want to spend break week doing! LOL!

I got everything done today that absolutely must be done, except the grading. So they will be a tad upset, but oh well. I will live with it.

And yes, I needed the rest. So I will give myself a pat on the back for what I did accomplish.

Yay! You deserve that pat on the back!!!

I've been procrastinating on my courses lately and now things are switching into high gear. I'm trying to intersperse some other things in so I don't burn out. My week break we have a field trip to make up for a couple snow days :-( and I imagine I'll treat the other days the same.

Stick with it, Perna. It is tough when things pile up for a student.

Believe in Him or not --- GOD LOVES YOU!

Want to share your Christian faith? Click HERE

I love that dancing chili pepper. LMAO!

Juliana -- The chili pepper can be found in the smilies, to the left of the message box.

Thanks! I had to click on "More Smilies" to find it, but I found it.

As usual, this forum has a lot of ideas about coping. Have you found solutions, Wants2Fly?

Not that my ideas are better than regulars on this forum, but there is a section about procrastination in my book...see http://www.psychologicalselfhelp.org.../chap4_76.html

Give us some feedback, Wants2Fly.

Good luck.

DrClay

I've not really found a solution. I go in spurts -- a few days of walking, then slacking off and having difficulty getting pumped up again. This partly may be physiological. Since graduate school when I had to process 200-400 pages of research every night, no weekends off, I find reading very difficult. I was a great reader up to that time, couldn't stop me. Now, it's one more thing that I procrastinate about.