procrastinate less

I’ve locked into full procrastination mode. The stresses of uni and life are causing an emotional reaction (typical of me) of putting work off and eating whatever I can get my hands on non-stop.

Not a very proactive entry… more of a whinge.

I’m setting short term goals here now: daily and 2 week periods as a start to beat the procrastination. I’ve found that in the past I’ve set unrealistic goals (or too broad) and that has been even more off-putting and discouraging.
One task at a time, one day at a time.

I procrastinated, but I finally translated what I needed to for my neighbour and it’s a relief to know it’s done. One day I will learn, after all my experiences with procrastination and the guaranteed bad effect it has on me and my life!
I didn’t get a wink of sleep last night…I never actually went to bed at all, didn’t put on my pjs – nothing. This morning I went straight for a shower without having made any contact with the bed and I’m now back infront of my computer stalling on 43things! Actually, I am not stalling this time but I did gravitate towards the computer . I’m looking forward to the next month, my lifestyle during which, will not allow me to engage in such a thing, nor will I have the desire to veg infront of a screen! Unless I’m compulsively watching episode after episode of Prison Break season 2 and House, both of which my brother will soon supply! He’s the best…for many reasons, that being just one of them :)

so very lazy right now…everything I have to do is flashing in my mind movie-style, but I’m avoiding facing them so I’m filling my time with the most trivial of things. The essence of procrastination.
In my defense, regarding recent successes on this matter, as minutely significant as they might be in the whole scheme of things, I did sort out my cupboard which will make packing for my trip a much easier, more organised, stress-free (oh I wish) task…PROVIDED I don’t procrastinate and leave it for midnight the night before my departure. I really ought to get to translating some official stuff for my neighbour – I take it very seriously when it comes to important favours I’ve promised other people – I get it done… thing is though – I’ll leave it till 3 in the morning – at the end I’m the only one paying.

...TYPED UP the letter for the visa. Now I need to print it out and send it off. It makes me so mad at myself when I see how much time I waste and that it’s no big deal…but I always do this to myself. It just creates more stress when it’s down to the last minute and I seem to always be making it by the skin of my teeth.
Anyways, I did this so woohoo :-/

I’m struggling so very much with this. It’s totally an emotional thing. Putting things off…

I finally ticked off one of the biggest and most daunting tasks I had on my list. I am still not impressed with myself as I’d really left something quite important for the last minute and it was such a huge source of stress…for that same reason, the fact that I was anxious about the whole thing anyway (I hate bureaucracy and visa papers…they make me nervous and restless), I kept putting it off. It feels so good to not have that weighing on my shoulders. It was totally bogging me down… and as a result, I was putting off other small things as well, just out of frustration and the looming cloud, so I wasn’t getting anything done, full stop. This lighter feeling has already given me some motivation to tackle other stuff and get on track. Progress!

There were a couple of instances these past few days where I was quite tempted to put some things off but I reminded myself that it would all follow me into the next day and the day after that… I just did them a.s.a.p. and it was definitely worth the irritation and inconvenience because it freed up more time for other things plus I ended up helping my mum and cheering her up in the process =o)

I go in waves – sometimes I’m extreeeemely efficient, bang bang bang, everything’s done, I’m going, I’m not stopping, bulldozing through my tasks. I always feel so kick-ass then… especially with the daunting tasks… precisely because they are daunting, it’s great to just get rid of them! BUT at other times…well I won’t go into explanations because we’re admittedly all procrastinatiors in here. It just baffles me how I/we can (1) be blatantly lazy (2) be so intimidated by some tasks 3) prolong something that is a pain in the ass for weeks (if not longer)!
My main issue at the moment: getting started on (and completing) my personal statement for my uni applications. It’s the final piece of the puzzle yet I keep putting it off. I’m either not inspired, tell myself there’s moooore than enough time or some other excuse! I WILL START TOMORROW… hold me to that!