Do you practice "do it while I'm thinking of it?"

[spunkysmum]

I have tried this at various times to combat procrastination/forgetfulness. Like anything else, it's kind of hit and miss whether I remember to practice it or not, but when I have been, it does make me feel like I've accomplished more.

Basically it involved just doing something at the time it popped into my head, even if it seemed silly or incongruous. Like, if I knew the oil or coolant in my car needed checking, and I remembered it while I was driving, I actually pulled off to the side of the road at the first convenient spot and checked it, instead of waiting until I got home. (Of course I ran the risk of somebody thinking I was having car trouble and pulling over to ask if I needed help, but I got it DONE and I could cross off that worry.)

Of course there are going to be plenty of times when this isn't practical, but the times when it's possible, it can give you a sense of relief and a bit of a boost at the same time.

[CheekyMonkey]

hahaha I try.


It depends on how much I don't want to do it, and what other fun activities are available instead of that task.

My husband is pretty good about reminding me of my goals. He has to walk that fine line of helpful and nagging.

[Sandy4957]

This is how I live, actually...

[spunkysmum]

Originally Posted by Sandy4957

This is how I live, actually...

Of course, it can be a double-edged sword - sometimes doing stuff when it crosses our mind is the problem!

[Sandy4957]

Absolutely. That IS my biggest problem, as a matter of fact. I spend day after day, week after week tending to the small stuff and miss the big stuff...

[crystal8080]

Ive been keeping a notepad and pen with me and writing down stuff when it pops in my head. Some of the stuff are things I've been meaning to do for some time, other things are things I do all the time. My lists have some pretty haphazard things on it.

So yes, my do it while i think of it usually means write it down before I forget to write it down....one step closer to getting done.

Now I have a whiteboard on the side of my fridge I use as a notepad that doesn't get lost, a calendar on the front ( surprise surprise I bought it without realizing it starts in September) and a corkboard next to the fridge for random papers.

I usually can't do any better than that because I'm in the middle of doing something when I remember things, so if I stop what I'm doing to do what I remember to do, I forget to finish what I was doing. Wow. I hope that makes a lick of sense lol.

[spunkysmum]

Originally Posted by crystal8080

I usually can't do any better than that because I'm in the middle of doing something when I remember things, so if I stop what I'm doing to do what I remember to do, I forget to finish what I was doing. Wow. I hope that makes a lick of sense lol.

That's EXACTLY my problem! Sooo frustrating. I seem to do my best thinking when I'm busy with something else.

[salleh]

I like the idea of writing it dodwn when I think of it .....now if I could just remember where I put all those 27 different notebooks I have bought for just this kind of thing ......


my ex was a "do it right now " kind of person ..and that included talking .....when he said ....."we have to talk ." ....I figured out pretty quick , he didn't REALLY mean we have to talk ....what he meant was ..." I have to tell you all the ways you're screwing up" .......and when he wanted to tell me that ....there was no hiding from him .....


the thing is ...he was going on HIS idea of a good time .....one night he kept me up til 3 "talking" and I had to get up at 6 for one of the few scheduled substitute teaching jobs I had ....( mostly they're spur of the moment ...you never know when you'd get called) I was furious, but he interpeted that as avoiding the issues ......


so I get a bit touchy about doing things when they pop into your head .....it's not always the best time to do it .....

[meadd823]

usually can't do any better than that because I'm in the middle of doing something when I remember things, so if I stop what I'm doing to do what I remember to do, I forget to finish what I was doing. Wow. I hope that makes a lick of sense lol.

This is me exactly. . ..

my ex was a "do it right now " kind of person ..and that included talking .....when he said ....."we have to talk ." ....I figured out pretty quick , he didn't REALLY mean we have to talk ....what he meant was ..." I have to tell you all the ways you're screwing up" .......and when he wanted to tell me that ....there was no hiding from him ...

Damn I think I ended up with him. ..

I often ask if there is any way he can bag that stuff up and sell it for fertilizer so we can both quit working?

As long as I am medicated I can ignore him it is when the meds wear off that world war three breaks out. Gary is used to being the verbally superior one in prior relationships , no so with me Even when I am un-medicated I can out insult him.

When medicated I don't normally bother saying any thing or I respond to his absurdity with some thing equally as absurd.

Like today when he blamed my mom owing us for fixing her car on the turbo going out on his truck - It could not possibly be the fact that he drive like a maniac through Austin's rush hour traffic while pulling a load of heavy crap on a trailer . . . Nope the broken turbo has to be due to my mom's debit.

I responded with

"Oh good does that mean when she pays us back we will win the lottery? Okay what ever"

[Raye]

I usually try to do this. But I usually end up reminding myself to do it later, lol, if that makes sense.

[Asier3d]

Originally Posted by salleh

I like the idea of writing it dodwn when I think of it .....now if I could just remember where I put all those 27 different notebooks I have bought for just this kind of thing ......

I use the phone. Every smartphone has apps like a notepad. "Things" for iPhone is my option. For Android there must be apps like that… Evermotion for example.

If you use your phone as a phone (of course), a clock, notepad, ebook reader, newsreader… a swissknife for all your communication/information needs, then you´ll not forget it…you will not need a big and heavy notebook and will help saving the forests .

Now you must remember that mantra in your head. Repeat it when you go out: "keys, wallet, phone. Keys, wallet, phone…"

[AbsentMindProf]

Yes I use that strategy whenever I can. That and keeping to routines have been the most valuable for me. Now if only I can convince everyone else to stop reminding me to do things at times when I can't do it (like when I'm driving).

If I was a circus performer I'm convinced someone would wait until I was in the act of walking the high wire -- in the exact middle, 200 feet above the ground -- and shout up at me, "don't forget to call Joe!"

[Stressless37]

Yeah, at work but not at home much lol
I also write down what I can't do right away at work, so that it gets done
by the end of my shift.
At home, it depends on the day and what I feel like doing...hmm
For lists I like to use yellow legal pads, big and purse size, so they stand out between the clutter.
The fridge makes a good dry erase board. When I need or want to make a list there.
*good for shopping list* then take pic to the store
(couple times done that )

[fracturedstory]

Yes. Sometimes. When I can't think of anything else to do.

[salleh]

I know that those fancy phones are capable of a lot of things.....the way I lose phones and/or the chargers, not to mention hating phones, period, with a passion.....I don't think I'll be using that particular tip ! ....my phone is about as basic a pay as you go as you can get .....or the second up .....I have to have a fold over phone, the flat ones always get turned on or something .....