Procrastination

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We know. Procrastinating, whether we like it or not, seems to affect more Aspies/Autistics than any other person, but that's as far as I know.

So, the questions I ask are now, are....

1) Do you do it?
2) Any tips on how to stop this?

Me, I do it mostly because I do not understand what to do in some of my assignments; this is my Homer Simpson-ness in me sticking out. I have no sure-fire way of stopping this 'procrastination'.

Do you also find it difficult to ask for help when you don't know what to do in an assignment, as in it is the case that you virtually never ask? That's me. I'll take the more stressful option and work it out myself.

I am indeed a procrastinator. I move ahead by breaking things into small things on a list and do them bits at a time - and then hopefully I get rolling, otherwise I am getting something done. Sometimes I am pretty stuck though, and then I freeze, and then I stress, and sometimes that gives me a push like where I am right now in completing my essay. Depending on how much concentration I need, sometimes I can use the "I don't have to feel like doing it nor do I have to like it but I can keep feeling this way and still do it" (whew) "logic".


I dunno.

To answer your Q: Eeyup.

1) Do you do it?

I am doing it right now.

2) Any tips on how to stop this?

I dont have any, I need some too.

The best remedy I've found is to know myself and what I want from life, as well as to know what I'm most likely to procrastinate with.

I've found that it's easier to get myself to do things, even if I don't want to, if I know I'll like the result of doing it or detest the result of not doing it. So I have to think ahead to those results and how they'll feel - but not too much, because if it's something I really want, it's too easy to get caught up in imagining the results rather than working toward them.

I find it necessary to, in a sense, wind myself up to do certain things. Talk myself into it. Once I've done that, I'd better do it now or the effect can wear off.

I also have a calendar on my computer that beeps me about certain things I must get done each month. That has saved me many times from, for instance, not getting the bills out on time.

I don't try to schedule everything, though, because I can too easily desensitize myself to the schedule and then start to ignore it altogether. The schedule is only for things that will cost me (monetarily or otherwise) if I don't do them on time.

I am the worst at this. I have a lifelong problem with asking for help or getting information from other people. I'd much rather find what I need to know in a book or manual or quick reference than have to ask someone.

I find this helpful as well.

Yes, stress (visuallzing the dire results of not doing it) can help a lot. I don't like stress - I guess that's why it works. I'll do anything to avoid stress. But I also have a problem with needing lots of time to do things, because I tend to be slow, especially with new things or things that make me nervous. So I usually need longer to do the most stress inducing things, and that's where procrastination causes my worst problems. If I'm uncomfortable doing it, the stress of not doing it doesn't seem as severe.

I'm VERY bad about procrastinating. To the point where it has gotten me into legal trouble because I put off paying a traffic ticket and then forget about it.

I have yet to find a way to make myself stop procrastinating.

Is it really an aspie trait? Almost everyone procrastinates. I might be a little worse about it than others. I also find that breaking down the steps into a list of things that must be done is very helpful. Then I check them off as I do them.

Great insights, SpiritBlooms

I was implying that it may be worse in us.

I understand, sorry.

Everyone I know procrastinates. I do and I don't. The tendency is there but maybe I'm old enough and have screwed things up so many times I've decided it's better to just get it done first and play later. Negative consequences are a great deterrent.

I think some of my problem might be distraction-related and I sometimes have issues with sequencing tasks efficiently. I play Lumosity games that help me focus and seem to do better. Funny how that works.

I use a lot of "Just Do It" self-talk. I make lists, check things off and make more lists. I have post-its everywhere and sometimes write stuff on my arm. When taking a trip, my plans and all the contingency plans fill a binder... I use the alarm on my cellphone a lot for anything from taking pills to baking cookies to curling my hair to go out.

And sometimes I just blow it all off and take a nap.

I should have started studying two hours ago...

The thing that helps me get going is making a list of the things I have to do and at what time and hide distracting objects, such as the computer I'm using right now instead of studying.
Doesn't work much though.

If you don't understand what to do in your assignments, you should ask who assigned them to rephrase/explain. Even if you're shy, that's the most efficient option, because it prevents being scolded for not doing it right which would be even worse.