Avoidance

[DDNatureLover]

I have something I must do within the next few days. It involves a pretty big decision, and I've postponed it for as long as I can. I need to settle down and do some reading and research before making the decision, but I'm sitting here posting on the forum because I'm procrastinating, doing anything and everything I can to put it off. I really don't like deadlines or being told what to do, because *confession time* underneath it all, I'm a rebel at heart.

Are you a procrastinator? How do you handle important deadlines? Do they make you anxious? Do you avoid making major decisions?

 

[Alexandoy]

I used to be diligent when it comes to deadlines because I want to avoid pressures. But when I had this anxiety, I became more of a procrastinator than an action man. Last week our air conditioner stopped working and until now I still have to call the repair man. Simple things like that is a clear indication of procrastination and I wonder why I don't have the energy to accomplishment those minor obligations. But I am not a lazy person albeit they call me a workaholic.I just want to think that I need to get into the right mood before doing those chores.

 

[Alex]

One thing I have learned is that avoiding things that can wait is okay. I feel often we put too much pressure on ourselves to do things now and quickly, and while I am not that laid back, I can appear to be like that.

Avoiding things and procrastination aren't always the same thing, as some procrastinators are like that because they are too laid back and don't see the importance of things. When you choose to avoid things, it's a conscious choice such as avoiding going to the dentist or making a call to someone you don't want to speak to.

 

[fuzyon]

I'm not a procrastinator anymore, but it has taken me a long time of discipline to reach that stage. I basically "understood" that postponing things will only make my future-self more busy and sad, so I force myself to get things done as soon as possible. It's not easy and many people suffer from procrastination, I suggest you try to sit down and start reading for your decision. After 5 minutes you'll already be too deep into your research to stop, I guarantee.

 

[to7update]

Sometimes I do procrastinate, but usually on things that are not very important. For example, I am administrating my condominium this year and I leave the accounting to the very last minute because I hate doing it. As for other things I try to do them as soon as possible because that is one less concern in my head. At the same time, sometimes we need to sleep over some matters in order to reach a better decision.

 

[Lyndra]

Procrastinators are in good company. Author Douglas Adams once said he liked deadlines, because he "loves the whooshing noise they make as they go passed" .

I used to put things off hoping they would go away, but I just ended up with this huge pile of work staring at me! Now I tend to get things done as early as possible if I can, because the stress of knowing the item is hovering over me and might not get done is worse than facing up to it. There are a few notable exceptions, like government paperwork, which I tend to freeze on, panic, and hope it goes away.

 

[thisnthat]

One thing I have learned is that avoiding things that can wait is okay.

I think this is a great attitude. Thanks for putting it into perspective.

I've noticed that I put things off more often lately, but as long as it isn't something that needs urgent attention, that's okay. Being someone who used to always just get things done, this has been a bit of an adjustment for me. If it helps relieve some of the pressure of the day though then why not? I can't do as much as I used to, and it's something I have to accept. I just need to prioritize.

 

[Alex]

I think this is a great attitude. Thanks for putting it into perspective.

I've noticed that I put things off more often lately, but as long as it isn't something that needs urgent attention, that's okay. Being someone who used to always just get things done, this has been a bit of an adjustment for me. If it helps relieve some of the pressure of the day though then why not? I can't do as much as I used to, and it's something I have to accept. I just need to prioritize.

I feel that society at times creates this unspoken pressure that we have to do things right now, but that is media hype. I used to be like that, but when it only affected me, the bottom line is no one else cared. What we don't realize is that many people that advocate this kind of behavior have 'help' as in cleaners, and assistants. In real life, we don't all have access to extra help!

 

[thisnthat]

I have to agree with that, Alex.

I was thinking that a lot of "power people" often have (a lot) more money than I do as well. When you have more money, you can pay for help and pay for conveniences that others cannot afford. I'm not envious of them, but I can't compete with them, so I shouldn't even try. I'm going back to "one day at a time," and sometimes one hour at a time. I'll do what I can do.

I have to admit that I do sometimes avoid things that I really shouldn't though. That's something I need to keep working on. I guess I am (and always will be) a work in progress.