Procrastination's Magical Thinking Problem

[@Glowithin0]

Thank you, Tim. I enjoyed your message in this video. Before I retired I was in a very demanding job and procrastination was not an option. Retirement for me has been difficult. I was so used to meeting deadlines, daily routines, and managing my personal time with the work schedule. Now I find challenges in getting projects, etc. done because “there’s always tomorrow “ . I was much more productive in my personal and work life before I retired. This inertia is quite a conundrum.

[@amritabhattacharyya4882]

🙂

[@daveo9844]

Nah. Take your time and just enjoy chipping away. Less is more 🍻

[@janicew6222]

I never use to be a procrastinator, but in the last several years, after some health issues and loss of my husband, I have become one and I hate it. Need to quit making excuses and just get started.

[@akontarini]

😊😊😮

[@kzZnAT0r]

😊

[@sandramillward8759]

Burnout, lack of energy, illness also can contribute

[@suzanne296]

I have all three. I need some help at times.

[@ggebhard1]

@@suzanne296you’re not alone. Mine is from illness, from over 24 year. I know what you mean.

[@amritabhattacharyya4882]

💚🤎

[@rebekahpowers1595]

⁠@@suzanne296I’m sorry,peace and love ❤️ to you .

[@pinkroses135]

I find that energy one to be true

[@PhilThach]

Good talk, Tim!

[@akontarini]

👍

[@minimalisticbutrealistic]

100% agree about absolutely everything you’ve said here. I’m embarrassed that I’ve told you specifically that I was going to post my first video on May 1st and I can absolutely be crowned the queen of procrastinators! I’m paralyzed with fear in this case. I’m so critical of myself… I’m too big, I’ve got too much of a French accent and can’t find my words, I look odd, I’m too pale, etc. It’s absolutely nuts. My intro video is done, and my first real video is also done but I don’t have thumbnails so I delay constantly. In my job I was very meticulous and definitely a perfectionist. In this, im so far from perfect and out of my element that it’s tormenting me. Thanks for this video, it felt like you were talking directly to me. Be patient, I’ll do it! 🙂👍💕🇨🇦

[@akontarini]

❤😊

[@TheNewRetiredMe]

You will be great!

[@Rozeta1954]

I find that at times when faced with an overwhelming task I get paralyzed. I call it couch paralysis and that is hard to overcome. I will visualize the finished project or even look up pictures or videos of a similar task finished. I think that’s why clutter videos are so popular. Thanks for the motivation and kick in rear. Very informative and helpful! Have a wonderful day!

[@akontarini]

😊

[@peace2all]

Your balance of insight and humility make you the real deal! I suffer from the imposter syndrome by comparing my insides with other people’s outside. Peace - John

[@akontarini]

🤗

[@Sharon-ud4ke]

These videos are so thought provoking. I was always procrastinating, but am getting tired of putting things off. I use the phone calendar and write a to do list everyday which stops me thinking about everything I need or want to do and love crossing things off the list when done . Doing things in short bursts of time works for me.

[@amritabhattacharyya4882]

🙂

[@akontarini]

😊

[@kimking3466]

I am very detail-oriented, so I tend to over plan. I break a task down so much that the list is overwhelming, then nothing gets done. Over the past few years, my energy level has significantly decreased, so I have tried putting the top 3 to 4 things on a desktop "sticky note" so I see it regularly, but I keep the longer list in a spreadsheet so that I don't see it all of the time. I also had to stop shaming myself for keeping an item on the short list for more than a day. I work on it when I have the energy, and I rest when my body says to. Thank you for the interesting videos!

[@amritabhattacharyya4882]

😊

[@akontarini]

😊

[@ladyw605]

You described me to a perfect tee!!! I am a chronic procrastinator from the word GO!!! I blame my procrastination on three basic reasons: 1) I am very lazy and I know it; 2) I am a perfectionist, and 3) too many irons in the fire and I can’t decide how to prioritize the irons (LOL). I am a habitual list maker which does keep all my goals in front of me, but I am very easily distracted-just today I had about four small projects going and then decided to go outside and scrub all our deck furniture and rugs-when I came back in the house hot and tired from all that work, my kitchen looked like a storm had hit it with several cabinet doors and drawers open and also the dishwasher half unloaded. I have been decluttering my kitchen and laundry room for several weeks by tackling small projects each day-I am proud to say that I am 98% done with this project. My original projection was that this task would take a week-this was almost a month ago-LOL. Looking on the bright side, as I look back on all my projects since the first of the year, I have declutterred my office, which is also my craft room and accessory room-a boat load of jewelry, hats, scarves, and a closet full of Christmas decorations and all of my many handbags-all now declutterred and organized; my husband’s office which is also my piano room and our library-and a closet full of many keepsakes and household items-all declutterred and organized; three bathrooms-all deep cleaned and decluttered; my daughter’s old room-now our guest room-all declutterred and organized. All of this in 4 months is really not that bad for someone who has to sit and ponder, read, watch KZbin and nap as much as I do!!!!! I still have several closets, and two or three dressers and chests to declutter, and also a small storage building outside, but my husband has promised to help with the outdoor storage building. Both my husband and I are pack rats, which goes right along with me being a procrastinator. He procrastinates on some things, especially home projects; but he is not retired as I have been for 13 years. My husband, on his job, is on top of everything all of the time. He has always been an overachiever where his career is concerned. Hopefully one day, he will decide to retire so that he can really enjoy his hobby and be able to complete some of the projects around our home that he has always wanted to get done. Procrastination is definitely my biggest stumbling block. Your insight has been very enlightening and encouraging for me; and for this I thank you!!!!! 💝💝💝

[@akontarini]

❤😂

[@robstrck8]

I’ve nicknamed myself master procrastinator. Sometimes it’s an all or nothing with me. Instead of being pleased with accomplishing small tasks, I tend to look at all the things I didn’t do. Not to mention, I’m easily distracted with other things that need getting done when I’m working on something else. I’m working on it 😂

[@akontarini]

❤

[@Good-DaySunshine]

Mr. Master Procrastinator You need a T Shirt

[@robstrck8]

@@Good-DaySunshine 🤣

[@charleneh8374]

This was wonderful. Thank you, Tim…especially for the truth about prosperity preachers. I recognized myself in each factor of procrastination that you spoke of. Sometimes, I try to trick myself by setting a timer for 15 minutes. Then I just dive into whatever the dreaded task is. "I can do anything for just 15 minutes!!!" becomes my mantra. More often than not, I will continue beyond the 15 minutes. Another adage that my favorite aunt once shared with me…"Anyone can eat an elephant. You just have to do it one bite at a time!" You are an excellent orator. These talks are some of my favorite of your KZbin realm. Thank you.

[@amritabhattacharyya4882]

😊

[@akontarini]

😊❤

[@peggyparsons5003]

Like the 15 min trick

[@diangallo]

I am a type B personality. And I generally am laid back and don’t value a sense of urgency. I don’t think being a procrastinator is a bad thing….well most of the time….if I have company coming over, I will clean up my home! I’ll have to listen to the rest of your video at another time, maybe next week…who knows? (I’m joking) 😂

[@amritabhattacharyya4882]

😅

[@akontarini]

😊

[@kathyb6519]

I totally agree with everything you said! I have also found I procrastinate due to anxiety. Understanding what is driving my procrastination has helped me get going on my task.

[@Alextodd007]

Hello kathy

[@akontarini]

😊😊

[@kemikyja4star421]

The part you mentioned about getting out of the house to get work etc. done was brilliant! I will try that a few times a week when I have something that requires my full attention. I am easily distracted when I’m home because there are so many things to do legitimately but then there are things I purposely distract myself with as well 😂. Thanks for that tip, that one hit hone for me! 🥳

[@akontarini]

☺

[@craftdipper]

I can identify with too many of these... Especially, I think, the perfect environment. I have now realised that I often use cleaning and tidying as procrastination on starting more mentally taxing or creative work. I have always told myself I'll concentrate better when everything's clean or tidy... But housework never really ends - it's a cycle. So I'm going to have to time-limit my housework! 😂

[@amritabhattacharyya4882]

☺

[@akontarini]

😮

[@rhondadownes207]

It’s definitely hard to get started on tasks but if you manage to make that first step, there’s a saying that says to “eat the frog first” meaning to do the most dreaded or most important task first, and by doing that, you end up feeling a sense of accomplishment (along with a little stress relief as well) and gain momentum to move on to other tasks. I’ve tried this here and there and it does seem to work. 🐸

[@amritabhattacharyya4882]

🤗

[@akontarini]

😊

[@suzanne296]

This hit me on the head. I am suffering from depression and many other health challenges. Im in treatment but your right i could try to clean and get up after i come home from my pt job. I dont always.

[@TheNewRetiredMe]

I’m very sorry to hear of your depression. Please take good care of yourself.

[@amritabhattacharyya4882]

💚🖤💜

[@amritabhattacharyya4882]

PLEASE TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF IN ANY WAY POSSIBLE!

[@akontarini]

❤

[@HumbleVoyager]

Hi, Tim! Thanks for the video. I procrastinate. Therefore, I am.

[@Alextodd007]

Hello there

[@akontarini]

❤

[@PamHaynes-oo3ck]

Very good information, so true, I seek the Lord 's help and strength everyday. Thanks Tim

[@amritabhattacharyya4882]

❤

[@akontarini]

❤❤

[@pinkroses135]

That certainly helps with this lol

[@PamHaynes-oo3ck]

🥰🥰🥰❤️

[@ceciliadelgado6899]

I used a Franklin-Covey planner when I worked and continued it for the first 6 months of retirement. I no longer use it because I told myself, "I'm retired and don't need to do it anymore!" But, I soon found that creating a checklist for a specific project and a To Do List of things that need to get done is the best way to go in order to complete tasks and also not allow any to be forgotten. BUT, while this is a good habit I learned by using the planner, it makes me feel like I'm NEVER done! How does one overcome this feeling because it can be overwhelming sometimes. Thx Tim. Love your advice videos!!

[@boatsie]

…I guess it is how you define ‘Done.” In our working years, “done” could mean “done for the day and now I can go home,” “done for the week and now look forward to the weekend,” or “done working a job and now I can retire.” Whereas “Done” in a retiree world usually can mean one thing-taking a ride in the brass-handled Cadillac-so having things to do as a retiree is a good thing…no??

[@BChou-ri3xw]

Ditto. I just chalk it up to being human. At least for some of us. Sometimes, when I felt like I had an infinite To Do List, the mere process of writing it all on paper helped declutter my mind -- whether or not I even looked at it again! Just that unloading of the Type-A-ness of me freed me to get on with it! Sometimes I did HAVE to come back to the long list and break it into bite-size morsels. (Kinda OCD, too.) But SOME of us have to handle the details! And catch those things before they fall thru the cracks! AKA Proactive. Nip it in the bud... Cheaper, too, etc.

[@amritabhattacharyya4882]

💙

[@amritabhattacharyya4882]

@@boatsie 💚

[@amritabhattacharyya4882]

@@BChou-ri3xw 😊

[@davejsullivan]

I have a small home based woodworking business and often struggle with many of the issues you talked about. It’s like you were inside my head at some point. I have many ideas but hesitate to pull the trigger. At 54 years old, maybe I’ll figure it out someday. Ha. It’s a multifaceted and deeply complicated issue but, like you said, even a small step forward is progress. Thanks

[@amritabhattacharyya4882]

😊

[@akontarini]

❤

[@davidsaylors]

I dont really suffer from procrastination as I understand it. I just buckle down and do the suck… Now when I see that what I am doing isnt making forward progress in some way, then I will give up on it and move on to other things that do bring me joy instead. Good video. Thanks for posting it.

[@amritabhattacharyya4882]

😊

[@akontarini]

❤

[@EcomCarl]

Great insights on combating procrastination! Breaking tasks into manageable parts and using tools like Notion or Todoist not only help in staying organized but also in maintaining momentum toward our goals. 🕒

[@akontarini]

🤗

[@lindaroberts2282]

Boy did I need to hear this one!

[@amritabhattacharyya4882]

😊

[@akontarini]

❤😊

[@ApplesandPeanutButter]

Getting started, the first step, is the hardest. Usually the "declutter and derp clean" mood hits me when I put away Christmas decorations because glitter is everywhere, the house looks less cluttered without all the holiday stuff, and it's a new year. Well, this year we were out of town from mid-Dec to the end of January, so no post-Christmas clean and organize mood. I have been trying to get myself motivated to spring clean. Lots of planning, watching cleaning KZbins...Today was my normal weekly house cleaning day. I started spring cleaning in the half bath and laundry area. They are adjacent, small areas that only needed a deep clean, no decluttering or organizing. I decided that I just needed to start.

[@amritabhattacharyya4882]

☺

[@akontarini]

❤

[@leonieapps5927]

Another helpful & most informative video, while most entertaining too - thanks so much Tim! 😘

[@akontarini]

❤😊

[@Good-DaySunshine]

Good vid, bossman. 😊

[@akontarini]

😊😊

[@DenLD]

I've never been a procrastinator. I love checking things off my list. I do enjoy some magical thinking tho....

[@amritabhattacharyya4882]

😊

[@akontarini]

😊

[@Good-DaySunshine]

Your honesty is refreshing! 🎉

[@J4orce]

Fear of failure kept me from doing things, but not forever. Now I start something and adjust along the way like you mentioned. But anyway, I'm *really* an imposter (you're not). Also I watched this on a break (not while procrastinating). Thanks for another great video.

[@PamHaynes-oo3ck]

Fear is a stronghold procrastination is the manifestation

[@akontarini]

😊😊

[@k26kv31]

Labeled a Procrastinator by my 5th grade teacher and still carry that sting to this day. High school forestry teacher turned Fridays into Leadership Days and taught us goal setting by stacking up as many sugar cubes as we could in a minute, then had us write down how many we thought we could stack when he gave us another minute to try again, and he built on that. He showed us the "how to" parts of goal setting. I still have that binder with the lessons he taught to us that year and achieved many of the goals in life that I wrote down in that binder 45+ years ago. Kudos to teachers like that and to you for reminding us how to stay on trac...because it is still work to keep out of the procrastination mode.

[@akontarini]

😊

[@easttexasnomad5981]

My problem with a large project is just getting started, that first hour or meeting is the most difficult.

[@amritabhattacharyya4882]

😊

[@akontarini]

❤

[@akontarini]

Timely 😂as I am "thinking " of a not so fun project 😂

[@RayTator]

Oh boy Tim I’m a person who loves to do things and I always have goals. I’ve told you I broke my back in Feb. . I should God willing be o.k.May 14. Time will tell. I love love goals and I love to get things done.. I’ve hated being not being able to do things since Feb. I will never take small things for granted.. a shower, bending to get something I’ve dropped etc. etc.. Love you Tim.

[@amritabhattacharyya4882]

💙

[@akontarini]

😊

[@rondawallis957]

I needed this reminder!

[@akontarini]

👍

[@Kiki-wi7px]

PROCRASTINATION ... to me is such a Complex Ideology. You Tim, Listed EVERY Explanation of WHAT That Entail's. W.O.W. !! It Truly is an "Individual" Thing. Like with " Facing Fear's " Head On, which I DO, Procrastination is a Whole Different Matter and Can " Change " from Day to Day or from Hour - Hour, for So Many Reason's. You Alway's Give us " Food for Thought." 🙂

[@amritabhattacharyya4882]

😊

[@akontarini]

😊

[@tuesboomer1623]

I find that the source of my procrastination comes from the layers of things that need to be done before I can actually start a task or project, so nothing gets done. For me, at the present time, decluttering and organizing are priority one towards curing that type of procrastination.

[@akontarini]

🤗

[@amritabhattacharyya4882]

Thank you! As always a lot to think about! ❤

[@stowie7733]

Hi, I’m Stowie and I am a procrastinator! Do we all need a 12-step program? 😊 I’m currently procrastinating on painting my bathroom cabinets. In my head it is going to be a big job but I know it really won’t be. And once I get started, I have to keep going. I also make a lot of to-do lists. A LOT of lists! 😂 Have a beautiful day!

[@amritabhattacharyya4882]

😅😊

[@akontarini]

😅

[@lucindawilson5510]

The SMART helps a lot thanks for talk Tim

[@akontarini]

🤗

[@ednarivera6046]

Thanks 🙏 😊 I really procrastinate on almost everything jijiji 🤭 but then I start one at a time

[@amritabhattacharyya4882]

🤗

[@akontarini]

😊❤

[@heatherburch7697]

I think our value is not determined by what we do so much as it is by the fact that we exist. We are a manifestation of love. I am enough! You are enough! A deep knowing of this fosters productivity by releasing you from the fear of failure or of being discovered to be an imposter. It allows you to enjoy the process without attachment to the results and when not working to enjoy relaxing without guilt. Schedule time for both. Enjoy both.

[@amritabhattacharyya4882]

❤🧡💛

[@akontarini]

❤

[@kzZnAT0r]

👍😊☺️

[@mrinaliniavadhani8481]

I needed to hear this! I have a whole pile of scripts to grade😅

[@amritabhattacharyya4882]

💙

[@akontarini]

😊

[@GoingGreenMom]

Rofl, my youngest says don't run in the rain. I will say don't walk in the rain or between showers if you can..... but that might be the broken foot talking. 😂 But totally agree with the idea of making time to consistently take action gets more done. I got so much done in the garden this spring that way.

[@amritabhattacharyya4882]

🙂

[@akontarini]

😊

[@fordwayne3833]

As much as we like to believe what we've been told to think all our lives, that we are in the driver's seat, that's only half the story. We are also the oil slick on the road sabotaging our journey. We are our own friend and enemy at the same time.

[@akontarini]

❤😊

[@tarynsanmartino8930]

This is an inspiring video Tim. You've sure gotten to the heart of the matter of procrastination!! I'm sharing with friends. I've been an expert at this forever. Lol Your tips are well covered and inspire each of us to get off our dead butts to get these chores done. When it comes down to it, there's no time like the present to get started. My lists are long and continue to grow. The gift of checking them off as we complete them is so rewarding. Good work and accomplishments in retirement fuel us in so many ways. I'm so glad you've put all the effort and work into making this video. I hope and pray that it will lead us to being more productive in our lives. Yes, it's so difficult sometimes! I do find that starting is half the battle. Once we begin to see progress, it's that much easier to keep going. I think the planning is one thing as you say. If we can make the commitment to a schedule, the progress and happy life will follow. I often never think about having the courage or desire to set a schedule to nudge me along. What a great place to begin!

[@akontarini]

🤗

[@lindascull6327]

Wowwwwwwww ❤Excellent ❤Thanks❤

[@amritabhattacharyya4882]

☺

[@akontarini]

❤

[@MsMaria990]

❤ - thank you.

[@akontarini]

🙂

[@khill6510]

Another very relevant topic!!

[@amritabhattacharyya4882]

☺

[@akontarini]

❤

[@pamelacrowe4971]

I love these talks you bring to us. I relate so well with this topic. I always think of what I need to do and see myself do it. But it don't happen right away. Sometimes it takes a long time or not at all. I really need to start a to do list. I always tell myself what I need to do but I need to write down and see it on paper. Thanks Tim.

[@akontarini]

😊

[@lulucly]

I am ashamed to admit that I have paid 15 months of gym membership and have went 2-3 times

[@minimalisticbutrealistic]

Me too! 😢😂

[@akontarini]

❤😮

[@TheNewRetiredMe]

We’ve all been there. :)

[@daveo9844]

Save money and work out at home like I’m supposed to 😂

[@Gramsofboys]

Excellent advice!

[@akontarini]

❤

[@brittaschormann4554]

Based on the little I know you must have been a terrific teacher. My take-away from this video: Being self-active can be a great source of satisfaction. Done is better than perfect.

[@amritabhattacharyya4882]

👍

[@akontarini]

😊

[@edithjackson5476]

I resonate with almost all of those things

[@amritabhattacharyya4882]

🙂

[@akontarini]

😊

[@hmp9468]

Alarms and such doesn't work for me. What I have found that works is a small dollar store dry erase board. I can write a dozen or more things on it and get to erase it when done. Have you ever tried to erase something on a dry erase board when it is several days old? 😂 so I pick out 1 thing and do it, erase it and gives me incentive to do another. At the end of the day I make a new list, and yes sometimes I don't get it all done, but it keeps me focused. I tried this method in a notebook first and it totally didn't work. Just remember it's okay to have an off day, we all have them.

[@amritabhattacharyya4882]

😊

[@akontarini]

😊

[@janellerobinson7850]

So good!

[@amritabhattacharyya4882]

😊

[@akontarini]

🤗

[@pinkroses135]

I hate working under pressure but I do procrastinate to line everything up in my mind and go on a perfectionist spree within a comfortable time frame most of the time. Turtle planner rabbit performer I suppose. Idk some people call it an infj thing. I know I have chaos aversion and a little imposter syndrome. Creating the environment is a big deal to me too.

[@akontarini]

😊😊

[@BChou-ri3xw]

I am the BEST procrastinator. I came up with all sorts of comments, but, since they're not perfect, I'll wait til tomorrow to write them. LOL. Remember: be kind to yourself; you don't have to be an 'A' student. 'B' or 'C' will do just fine... especially in retirement!

[@amritabhattacharyya4882]

😊

[@akontarini]

😊

[@olderandwiser78]

This is so funny because I am an expert at procrastination. I have waited a lot for Thor's hammer to hit me. Several years ago my niece recommended that I use Todoist and I did for a couple of years. My problem was that I added more tasks to the list than I was actually completing. Maybe I should try that again. Thanks for reminding me. My adult children have to told me that I have adult ADHD and I think that they are probably right. When I start a task I get distracted and move onto something else without finishing the first thing. I may do that 5 or more times in a day and never finish anything. It takes a conscious effort to work on something and not allow my mind to wander. I put all of my bills on autopay so that I no longer have to remember to pay them on time. After constantly misplacing my keys, glasses, and phone etc. I make a point to put them in only one or two locations. I use find my phone app constantly anyway. Putting the phone down and then burying under a pile of paperwork that I am working on is a constant problem. I think another reason for procrastination is being a perfectionist. The fear is that when I finish the job I just won't like the way I did it. What I do now is to mentally think of 2 or 3 tasks that I want to do each day. Then I use my mood to decide on which gets worked on first. One task is usually gardening. Since I am not a morning person and I dislike being in the sun before 3 or 4, I make that my evening task. It is really easy to say when you are retired that I will just do that tomorrow. Sometimes the tomorrow never comes.

[@amritabhattacharyya4882]

😊

[@akontarini]

❤

[@akontarini]

❤

[@GoingGreenMom]

I tried notion for a while and then they started taking control of peoples accounts and refused to even give them a way to extract the information in their accounts so I went back to spreadsheets. And it was people that were language learners and content creators almost exclusively from what I could tell. It made me skittish about a lot of the productivity apps because they had similar clauses in their TOS.

[@amritabhattacharyya4882]

👍

[@akontarini]

😮

[@TheNewRetiredMe]

Interesting. I’ll have to do some research here. I’m not familiar with this problem. Thanks!

[@GoingGreenMom]

@@TheNewRetiredMe Please let us know if whatever the deal was is no longer an issue (this was over 2020). I really liked how Notion works for some things!

[@limonade2684]

You are right, but its not for me. I have waited for 65 years to get out of this circle. I dont want to go on working to fulfill self invented duties. Work is over! No more schedules, watches and timelines. If I dont like a hobby, I dump it. No app, no to do list and especially no other person can tell me what to do, unless they pay me a real fortune. I dont understand, why I should be productive or active or busy or occupied. Retirement is the granted, precious dessert at the end of my life, I dont spoil it with tasks.

[@lauravasquez169]

Would you believe I made a note to call about my medicare benefits but I wasn't able to due to a family emergency. The day I called to take care of what needed to be done. Just remember this... You can't visualize something if you need to make a phone call. ❤

[@amritabhattacharyya4882]

😊

[@akontarini]

😮

[@chelseaK11]

Procrastination is a trauma response or a person who has been in a freeze response for far too long.

[@akontarini]

❤I think so too

[@kzZnAT0r]

😊

[@kzZnAT0r]

❤

[@kzZnAT0r]

😊

[@kathrynpatterson7255]

Bleh....I'm procrastinating about work by watching procrastination videos....

[@akontarini]

😅 many times so do I