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Post by Ms.Choc-o-lot on Jun 27, 2008 23:30:16 GMT -5
Why is that I can 'do' a project of something WAY before the deadline - at least I can do the vast majority of it, and then fail to finish up the loose ends, and wind up being late, even though I started early? Did that make sense?
Paying bills - do them all at once - at the beginning of the month, most are not due until the 10th or the 15th - and then I drag my feet and do not get around to addressing the envelopes or getting stamps on them, or even more of a problem, making myself go to the PO to drop them off.
That is one example - obviously - I HAVE to mail the bills, as it is problematic if not done, but I could name many times when I demonstrate this behavior. I DON'T HAVE to start it early, but it actually seems easier when I am NOT doing it at the last minute. And yet I stop short of actually getting it completed.
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Post by houseworkhater on Jun 28, 2008 0:36:14 GMT -5
i do the same thing, especially with work stuff and i have no idea why.
however, i don't have that problem with bills anymore since i pay them online. does your bank have that option?
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Post by merrymaid on Jun 28, 2008 7:27:31 GMT -5
I'm exactly the same way. Luckily dh does the bills, but mailing anything is a problem for me.. even my time slips to get paid!!
I don't write Christmas cards anymore.... for years, I would write them, address them, even stamp them, and never get them in the mail.
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Post by dragonchilde on Jun 28, 2008 8:41:31 GMT -5
Maybe you could reverse the process... stamp and address the envelopes before you do the bills? I've found that if I ignore due dates, it helps. I mail my credit card payments as soon as they come in, without even looking at the dates. Because I know myself well enough to know I'll wait until the last minute if I don't!
How come you have to go to the PO? Do you not have pickup in your area?
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Post by eaglesflight on Jun 28, 2008 10:21:52 GMT -5
I do the same thing and I don't know why either. Actually I didn't really think of it as a pattern of behavior until this thread. I do everything that has been mentioned so far.
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Post by pegasus48 on Jun 28, 2008 12:18:16 GMT -5
I like dragonchilde's idea of doing the envelopes and stamps first. It may be just the thing to break out of your current habit. Also, will your postman pick up mail when he delivers? Ours will if we leave it out for him.
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Post by Ms.Choc-o-lot on Jun 28, 2008 15:57:36 GMT -5
I don't write Christmas cards anymore.... for years, I would write them, address them, even stamp them, and never get them in the mail.
OH MY! This is sooooo me. I would lose the cards by the time it was Dec the following year, so I probably have at least a half dozen years worth of ready-to-mail Christmas cards just waiting to be mailed out. I don't even bother trying to send any now.
Good idea on reversing the process. I will try that this coming month.
I do this same thing, at work, at home, wherever.
I think some of it has to do with organization - the bills are 'supposed' to be in a basket right inside the front door - generally speaking MOST of them end up there. So, they are there, in one place. But, then I have to find the stamps, and/or return labels and or this, or that. so I can write them out, because I have a pen ready and I know where the checkbook is, but tying up those loose ends, just always gets me.
I want to do online paying, my husband is opposed.
I don't live in a residential area, so leaving them in the mail box for the carrier to pick up means leaving them in a mailbox 1/2 mile from my house - never somehting I was comfortable with - but not sure if it would be okay, ya know?
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Post by dragonchilde on Jun 28, 2008 16:15:49 GMT -5
Why is your husband opposed to online paying, may I ask? If it will save you money and time, why not?
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Post by Ms.Choc-o-lot on Jun 28, 2008 16:47:55 GMT -5
Why? because he is opposed to change of any kind, and doesn't 'trust' that something won't happen.
I'm gradually taking more and more responsibility in this area, and will eventually take the plunge and figure out myself how to set it up to do online. Just one of those daunting tasks, because I've never done it before, ya know?
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Post by Moodle on Jun 28, 2008 20:21:44 GMT -5
Oh, yes, I can totally relate to this thread. I got control of the bills and finances two years ago with online bill paying...it is truly a blessing...and building an Excel doc with everything I need to do, know, keep on top of per paycheck...made all the difference in my life and brought me peace.
I also start things early and then drift away. REALLY have to focus on staying focused to get things done on time without staying up all night to meet deadlines. Very frustrating and so unnecessary. Confusing, too, as it does not make a lot of sense...but then, neither did my approach to house keeping.
I still abhor the post office and all things to do with actually MAILING anything. I have no rational clue as to why I find this so stressful; it really is such a simple process. One good thing: I have learned that when I have something to ship to just take it to the UPS store and let them take care of packaging and shipping. Now, beloved relatives who live some distance away actually get gifts from me (the same year they were purchased!) instead of just a phone call saying Happy Birthday, Merry Christmas, etc.
Interesting thread. I am always surprised at our peculiar similarities.
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Post by Ms.Choc-o-lot on Jun 28, 2008 20:34:52 GMT -5
I got control of the bills and finances two years ago with online bill paying...it is truly a blessing...and building an Excel doc with everything I need to do, know, keep on top of per paycheck...made all the difference in my life and brought me peace. I'm in the process of doing this, but what I am doing just isn't quite working. I can't quite get teh excel doc down, or I get interrupted, or whatever. DH did the bills for our entire married life - 100% until about 5 months ago. I've been so over-whelmed, never having done it - and have even less of a clue how to get things set up so I wouldn't overlook something. Is there a way you could share a sample of your excel document? Minus your personal informatin, of course. I feel so embarrassed at being an adult in my 40's and not knowing how to balance a checkbook, or keep things in order - I'm learning though. |
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Post by messymimi on Jun 29, 2008 13:42:29 GMT -5
This post sounds like me, too. I've often had things 90% or more finished well ahead of time, only to have to rush at the last minute to complete the other 10%.
Possible reasons I have considered:
Perfectionism. If it isn't done "right" (whatever that is), don't do it.
Fear of being seen as competent. Because then I would have to pull it off consistently every time, and what if I can't?
Fear of finishing. Because if I don't have this job staring at me, I will have to face other, worse tasks. A form of creative procrastination, perhaps.
The false belief that I work better under pressure.
Like you, I'm seeking the answer to this problem.
messymimi
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Post by pegasus48 on Jun 29, 2008 14:11:10 GMT -5
Fear of being seen as competent. Because then I would have to pull it off consistently every time, and what if I can't? Messymimi, I think you have hit the nail on the head for me. I think I am afraid to get things cleaned up and finished because I am afraid of FAILURE in pulling it off consistently. It's that FAILURE thing that I don't want to face.  |
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Post by Alexandra on Jun 29, 2008 14:12:38 GMT -5
My husband does our budget and pays bills online. He's more than welcome to do it. I find it a bit of a hassle. Not the online paying part--just paying the bills, period!  |
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