How is this for Chronic Procrastination.

At age 24 my insurance was due on my truck. I had the money I knew it had to be paid. I let the policy cancel.

I didn't start a new policy. I did not turn in the plates. In New York you have a certain number of days after an insurance lapse to turn in the plates. You can either pay a fine for each day of the lapse or surrender the plates for the same time period as the lapsed days.

After the cut-off date your license is revoked for one year. I waited until after the cut-off date. License was revoked.

You are required to physically turn in the license. The one year revocation starts then. I lost it at 24 would have got it back at 25.

I didn't turn it in untill I was 27 I got it back at 28. I penalized myself an extra 3 years.

Pretty good example!

Can you point to something that finally got you moving in each case?

This is one of the biggest problems with ADD is procrastination. Putting things we don't want to do off some times like you until it is too late.

I lost my crap job. Crap girlfriend started dating her boss. I did the "man I'm going to stop procrastinating that's it never again" routine. As well as "from now on I'm going to budget my money".

It was a crappy contracting job but I worked sick hours during the year. 12-18 hours a day 6 sometimes 7 days. I didn't keep track of a penny or save one for that matter.

My girlfriend was as crappy as my job but I was an emotionally needy guy and she was better then nothing. She also happened to be an alcoholic. I'm not.

So I was left with no money (didn't save any) no job (fired) no girlfriend. And no drivers license. And then no apartment.
While the procrastination improved after I still did and do procrastinate. With me the consequences have been dire.

I've repeated the same type scenario even after that horror show. Wait till the s**t hits the fan resolve to "stop it".

Wait till the s**t hits the fan resolve to "stop it".
I think that about sums it up!

BTW, are you taking any kind of medication now? I'm not and my procrastination really bothers me. If I were to take medication for anything it would be for that.

Procrastination is a big problem for many ADHDers - probably all ADHDers!
Meds help, but as they say - old habits die hard. You really do want to have to change - and then meds will help. I think we sometimes sabotage things - beit consiously or sub-consiously - so that we won't succeed and/or run the risk of failure. Example - you sprain your ankle before the "big game" rather than risk losing in front of a crowd.
I have noticed this behaviour in myself from time to time - in retrospect.

I was prescribed dexedrine and after all the damage I've done I was still hesitant to take it. I don't even take aspirin. But considering the situation Im in now I said screw it and have been taking it.

Unfortunately I am under extreme duress right now. So it's kind of hard to tell any true effect. I do feel a slight differance while it may be a placebo effect I don't know but ill take it.

My procrastination lessened in time. It's still a problem though. The most insidious thing about procrastination and associated behaviors is that despite the destruction and stress they cause you (I) still do it.

Unfortunately I'm back in the "what the h*ll did I do to myself" stage.

I obviously can't offer any advice but if I had the financial ability I would try cognitive therapy in addition to medication. Even if medication only had a placebo effect it would help.

Cognitive therapy is based on sound principals unlike psychoanalysis which I think is a load of ****

I procrastinate for one of two reasons:

1. I've already completed the job in my head and have no desire to repeat it.

2. I've been there/done that and have beaten down because I didn't do it "right" and how could I have "screwed it up again" so why go there and deal with that hell all over again?

And 3...

There was something on TV.... ;)

Eric

I have done things like that before. It's the craziest thing! I'll be fully aware of whatever it is, but I just wont do it. It's so classic ADD.

I have two classes of stuff I procrastinate on.

The first is stuff that is just plain tedious and boring. For me, that is things like writing invoices. This is the worst one for me -- I can't seem to improve on this no matter what I do. The only thing I have found is more and more ways to eliminate this type of crapwork, or have someone else do it.
The second category is things that I don't mind doing, or may even enjoy doing if I got started, but need some kind of kick to get me going. What that "kick" normally comprises is the pressure of a looming deadline...

I still have cardboard boxes in my home from when I moved back into it...a year and a half ago! How embarrassing. I guess it's because that stuff is old and no longer interesting to me:rolleyes:. Why can't I just empty the darn boxes? There aren't very many of them, and I can't stand the clutter. But there they sit.

Sometimes I just dont want to do it.So,I dont!I usually make no apologies for it,I just accept that I have that problem and go on.I cant beat myself up for it,that helps nothing.If someone gets mad at me I figure if they really love or like me they will deal.I dont like schedules or appointments.The thought of being tied down is excrutiating!!How dare they!LOL!Im a free spirit and I love that part.I have arranged my life around that fact.

Here is an example of procrastination from my life right now.

I am currently working on two jobs. One was due yesterday, but I knew that my client would not mind if I took until tomorrow, since the next part of this job will not come in until Monday. So naturally I have not even started it (it is 4pm Thursday evening now).

The other job is due tomorrow by 6pm. I have not started it either.

Together, these two jobs will take about 12 hours to complete. Something tells me I won't get started on them until 6am Friday morning.

The problem is, if one thing goes wrong I am going to be late turning in one or both of these jobs. I really should put in at least 4 hours of work tonight. But instead I am reading my email, checking these boards, etc. etc.

Aaargh!

How is this for Chronic Procrastination.

At age 24 my insurance was due on my truck. I had the money I knew it had to be paid. I let the policy cancel.

I didn't start a new policy. I did not turn in the plates. In New York you have a certain number of days after an insurance lapse to turn in the plates. You can either pay a fine for each day of the lapse or surrender the plates for the same time period as the lapsed days.

After the cut-off date your license is revoked for one year. I waited until after the cut-off date. License was revoked.

You are required to physically turn in the license. The one year revocation starts then. I lost it at 24 would have got it back at 25.

I didn't turn it in untill I was 27 I got it back at 28. I penalized myself an extra 3 years.
I lmao when I read this.....cause it is soo the epitome of ADD! I would so do this.:eek::o

Addendum to the same story.

At 25 I had someone register and insure my truck. I drove with a revoked license. A headlight was out. For weeks. I would look at it and say I had to fix it. I didn't.

I drove behind a police car. They let me pass then pulled me over for having a headlight out. I was arrested for driving while revoked.

You would think that would be a catalyst to turning in my license. I didn't.

At 26 I was still working at a crap contracting job. My girlfriend at the time said I should get a better job. I remember saying "I can't even drive a truck, I don't have a license". Did I turn it in? No

I look back on all the episodes of procrastination and wonder what the **** was I thinking. Unfortunately I don't have to look that far back in time. While never as bad as that still bad enough.

The funny thing is that when I was young people would tell me I had a good head on my shoulders.

I drove behind a police car. They let me pass then pulled me over for having a headlight out


Man you are as bad as I am. I don't like to do the registration/inspection thing either. My car insurance is paid all at one time if possible as if I have to pay it every month it will NOT happen!!!!

I had a registration sticker that was two years past expired! What did I do????? Drove a friend to the cop shop and parked right out on front where all the police people come and go!!!!!!