Procrastination

[Glastoun]

Coming to the conclusion that we've gradually been living in a heroin den for the last few months. The freezer is in the middle of the kitchen so we can't get to the bin drawer so there's a bin bag next to the freezer. The island is covered in plastic sheeting which means we have to push it back to get to the hob even though the hob won't work because the socket is off the wall. Parts of the floor are bare of finish because I tested a palm sander on it, while the rest of the floor has a patina of plaster dust. Half of the wall is weathered plaster while another quarter of it is tentatively peeling unpainted lining paper. The lights in the ceiling were removed in October meaning we've been using wall lamps over the winter. Part of the coving is missing because it won't stay up because the wall isn't flat. Most non-essential kitchen equipment is in a bookcase in the lounge that is supposed to be in the dining room. And the milk's off.

What's the worst state you've found yourself living in, and how do you beat procrastination?

 

[Nozzle]

What's the worst state you've found yourself living in, and how do you beat procrastination?

Turn off the internet and knuckle down is a reasonable way to beat procrastination..

Nozzle

 

[ree]

Procrastination is the fuzzy edge of depression and, like depression, once the thing begins to roll downhill it picks up speed.

I empathize and sympathise with you - simply trying to kick start doesn't seem to work, and further failure or more disorganization can lead to a deeper forgettaboutit attitude.

Where you are is where lots of DIY'ers find themselves - is there any chance that you could hire a professional to start things off again?

When i started on my own i opened too many jobs, and left some homes in terrible states for say weeks. There was no cash flow, so no materials. Darkness and frustration followed.

What i eventually did was to do a little each time - just a little, one step at a time, and finally i cleared up the mess i had made. I lost money but learned a life lesson. Just saying.

 

[WalksWithTurkeys]

I spent 6 months working on my house evenings and weekends, ending up very depressed near the end. Turned out well though. You have to push yourself. Set targets. Think through what to do when.

Friends live in a tip, lovely old house badly needing redecorating. It'll take them 10 years. I couldn't live there. I like a nice bathroom and kitchen.

 

[longdogs]

As a plumber/bathroom fitter, I find myself in this mess most of the time but I can go home to escape for a few hours

 

[Whitespirit66]

, and how do you beat procrastination?

Ah, I remember the luxury of procrastination.

Then I met 'Er Indoors.

 

[handyjack]

, and how do you beat procrastination?

Ah, I remember the luxury of procrastination.

Then I met 'Er Indoors.

You met my other half?

 

[Belboz]

, and how do you beat procrastination?

Ah, I remember the luxury of procrastination.

Then I met 'Er Indoors.

You met my other half?

They've all been taught the same way. Draw up a list of jobs to do and moan like drains if you dare to put something off.

Happy to walk around clothes shops for 8 hours and then go back and buy the one they saw in the first shop though...............

 

[Micilin]

I meant to reply to this earlier, but never got round to it.

One tactic for dealing with procrastinating is the ' pompadour' method.

This link doesn't explain it as well as the person who told me about it, but

https://jaimetaglieber.wordpress.com/2013/03/25/the-pompadour-technique/

Set yourself a time for working on the task, then have a reward or break. This might be easier than having to finish once you started.

The majority of my posting onGD is as a result of avoiding doing something more productive!

 

[ajstoneservices]

The majority of my posting onGD is as a result of avoiding doing something more productive!

^^ ^^

We may regret time spent here one day.

 

[Whitespirit66]

, and how do you beat procrastination?

Ah, I remember the luxury of procrastination.

Then I met 'Er Indoors.

You met my other half?

I'm afraid they're all the same. Once they get their feet under the table, life's never quite the same again. Beginning to envy my single/divorced friends, as they remind me of the simple pleasures that I once had.

 

[Whitespirit66]

I meant to reply to this earlier, but never got round to it.

Fight apathy! Or don't bother.

The majority of my posting onGD is as a result of avoiding doing something more productive!

Yes, ain't that just the truth.

 

[Brigadier]

The majority of my posting onGD is as a result of avoiding doing something more productive!

Yes, ain't that just the truth.

Every time I come on here, I forget my mouldy porch!

 

[Glastoun]

Didn't realise that the thread had been moved here, so haven't replied until today. Is it procrastination if it's someone else's fault?

The depression comment rang a bit of a bell, because part of the reason I got demoralised with it was that I was convinced that I wouldn't be able to do it to a good enough standard, and should have/would have to get a professional into do it, which I wanted to avoid as we'd punted £xK into the project already.

Ended up taking some paper back off the wall, filling and sanding some plaster, and improving my plastering a bit, and that got me back on track. When you can see a bit of positive progress it's easier to keep going, but at points it was like I'd taken my car to pieces and not known how to put it back together again.

Once it's done that'll be it for 10 years or so, and the DIY aspect is paying for this year's holiday so there's always an upside.

 

[Whitespirit66]

The majority of my posting onGD is as a result of avoiding doing something more productive!

Yes, ain't that just the truth.

Every time I come on here, I forget my mouldy porch!

911 or 928?