Julia from Numo avatar
Julia from Numo
28
2 years ago

Procrastination: What Works for You?

Got your own method? Drop it below—your tip could be someone’s game-changer! Or just share your story—we’re all ears! 🌟


47 comments
44

Posts and comments here share personal experience — not medical advice. For treatment questions, talk to a clinician.


Mæ Mæ avatar
Mæ Mæ
15
5 months ago


pamelaish avatar
pamelaish
8
7 months ago

I tell myself to just start the task (whatever it is I’m avoiding) & I only have to do it for -5-10 mins - I end up putting on music and most times just keep going after 10 mins. A body in motion stays in motion, right!

pamelaish avatar
pamelaish2 days ago

Thanks for the tip!

hezathegreat avatar
hezathegreatlast month

I’ve done this before and it’s worked for me too

tigeresslov avatar
tigeresslovlast month

Music helps me to once I actually get started

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Mackenzie1031 avatar
Mackenzie1031
14
8 months ago

Making a list usually helps when I procrastinate on cleaning a room in my apartment. Then I fold it, write "open me at (whatever time)", then stick it to the fridge so I can get to cleaning the next day. Or when I'm finally motivated to.


ximbica avatar
ximbica
15
8 months ago

Nice way to think !


ximbica avatar
ximbica
15
8 months ago

Timer, to do list, leave home if distractions and work in a library , this app! All helps but real problem is social contact. People I like but its to big deal to envite them back or call. I can fel very bad about it. After i finally get in contact I fel relieft but it’s as well verry painful next time. So then people get tiered of inviting me and I loose the social contact :( Do anybody have this problem and how do you deal with it ???


DistractedMama avatar
DistractedMama
11
8 months ago

I’ll let you know when I actually get to it 😂😂


whatever6789 avatar
whatever6789
3
10 months ago

Distract myself😂😂😂 If I think about my current hyperfocus while I’m starting the task it’s done in what feels like two seconds. Now gotta quit procrastinating on here and write an essay 🙈


slobbering dork avatar
slobbering dork
22
10 months ago

I wait until someone comes over and then I clean like mad and then I get it done. I wait until the deadline is the next day and then I get it done but then I’m overwhelmed and then I have a panic attack.


annelsw avatar
annelsw
11
11 months ago

Figure out the first physical step of the task and make it as tiny as needed in order to come to the point where I think I could do it now.


linechar avatar
linechar
9
last year

I very often forget all words - be it during conversations, when writing (email, letters, even on WhatsApp). What could help with this? How should I formulate goals clearly?

Photofrog avatar
Photofroglast month

Whisper flow app could help, you talk and AI types it.


MariahGruenke avatar
MariahGruenke
33
last year

Using ADHD Numo and being really specific about my tasks. For example instead of just typing walk I type go for a walk. Using more words in writing my tasks makes me feel accomplished when I write them.

theBoosk avatar
theBoosklast year

Accomplishing them is great. Starting them is difficult


anxietyangie avatar
anxietyangie
5
last year

I would just like to say that I feel at ease when I read the comments here. To know that there are others feeling the same feelings and going through the same struggles. Many times, I feel alone with this. People in my life wondering what is wrong with me. I feel like such an outcast. Thank you comment community and thank you Julia for the questions. I don’t feel like a lonely island anymore. I feel like a part of a larger community! Music is a whole vibe when trying to get work done! I am procrastinating as I write this, came here looking for inspiration, now I have to go work!

pamelaish avatar
pamelaish7 months ago

I’m right with you on all of what you have said!


anxietyangie avatar
anxietyangie
5
last year

I put on a YouTube video of someone doing the same task as me, so it doesn’t feel like I am doing it alone. I have to have someone there with me to complete tasks. I think it is called body doubling or something. The task could be studying, cleaning, decluttering, cooking, etc. It is also motivating to see others tackling and completing the same tasks as you.

reallygillian avatar
reallygillianlast year

Where do you find these? What do you search for please?

 CarlowCan avatar
CarlowCan10 months ago

“body doubling” is a good place to start to find people doing the same tasks you want to do

hezathegreat avatar
hezathegreatlast month

Oh! I hadn’t thought of that but I’m going to try it out today. Thanks!

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aubreyday avatar
aubreyday
5
last year

I am the BIGGEST procrastinator in history. I have to be really, really down to a deadline to get projects done.

vampirepunk avatar
vampirepunklast year

same ugh

rollarotten avatar
rollarottenlast year

I hear you loud and clear. I think I need my meds adjusted. I was doing fine for awhile but now I’m back to doing almost nothing.

reallygillian avatar
reallygillianlast year

Same!

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rollarotten avatar
rollarotten
36
last year

I’m going to start setting a timer for 10 minutes and see if that gets me going.

hezathegreat avatar
hezathegreatlast month

If 10 feels too hard, try 5


posterchild avatar
posterchild
7
last year

Right now I am still searching for what would work for me. Usually I just have to force myself to get up and push through. It takes tremendous effort (think hours) and it’s bound to lots of shame and guilt and all in all it’s very draining and taxing.. Listening to music eases the process once I manage to start.

reallygillian avatar
reallygillianlast year

Same, but I haven’t tried music yet. Often find it distracting.


TheOnly avatar
TheOnly
1
last year

I don’t really know why I procrastinate and rewards don’t always work for me. But when I listen to music and tune out the world, I realize I focus better. And I can’t be distracted by friends. And absolutely not will I go to Starbucks to try to study, the people entering distract me.

shawtycntgitrit avatar
shawtycntgitritlast year

Music is my escape as well. (so to speak) idnk why, but for as long as I can remember... MUSIC has been my go to & depending on my mood or task at hand, I can listen to just about any type of music. guess I'm versatile. Instant focus!!


neurospicy31 avatar
neurospicy31
3
last year

If I have low energy I section tasks starting with small but mighty( small effort big impact) and the big the bad and the ugly( the big tasks that need doing for higher energy levels days.


Pro_crastinator avatar
Pro_crastinator
4
last year

I used to do a top five list as soon as I completed a task I crossed it off. Then I fell out of routine. Now I am searching to get find what works for me.

reallygillian avatar
reallygillianlast year

Same


adhdartistmoon avatar
adhdartistmoon
3
last year

También suelo poner videos de YouTube o algo parecido a bajo volumen para no sentir que estoy haciendo solo una tarea aburrida. Suelo tener problemas para trabajar en casa, salgo a bibliotecas o lugares públicos a hacer mis tareas y trabajos, la presión social me funciona.


Sunday22 avatar
Sunday22
1
last year

Writing down the item first, then not letting myself think about it too hard helps. My mantra: focus, focus, focus.


SaRang avatar
SaRang
1
last year

I don’t know… need to figure out


thisbisme avatar
thisbisme
20
last year

Setting a timer for 10 minutes, usually once I get started for 10 minutes I’m able to to increase it to 30 min or more. If it’s just one of those really bad days I’ve at least done my 10 minutes.


skibum avatar
skibum
7
last year

Haven’t figured it out yet


f*mylife avatar
f*mylife
3
last year

I usually watch tv while doing the dishes or something that I don’t wanna do but I’m not sure that’s really healthy🙃


@jazzy avatar
@jazzy
14
last year

Listen to a nice motivational speaker/playlist .


HoldOn avatar
HoldOn
17
last year

Breath 🫁


HoldOn avatar
HoldOn
17
last year

Yep


ginailhan avatar
ginailhan
4
last year

Fantasy’s about how it’s going to make you feel worthy and complete and confident your going to feel at the end then celebrate your win then brag on about how challenging it was and how somehow you practicly got up and got going even though you thought it was almost impossible that you were going to achieve your goal the odds were stacked up against you but you were so strong mentally and physically that you pushed through and got it done it makes you feel like you. Did the impossible so you deserve to celebrate your win you can now treat yourself and not feel guilty about doing nothing afterwords because you achieved it so go do what you have to do to pamper your soul and chill !!

dear_ADHD avatar
dear_ADHDlast year

Ooooh i really like this perspective. I think I’ll try this out . Thank you


ginailhan avatar
ginailhan
4
last year

I love the way I feel when I accomplish the task I feel proud of myself because I did something that I thought was almost impossible to do so I make a big deal when I get it done as a reward I do anything that’s going to make me feel good something totally selfish and rewarding and I don’t have to feel guilty afterwards because I worked for it and therefore deserve it this really helps me build up the courage to tackle the next task


laila93 avatar
laila93
4
last year

I like to write tasks on a paper, an app or calendar with a verb and subject. And also I like to add the duration

reallygillian avatar
reallygillianlast year

That’s interesting about adding the verb. I’ll try it. My list might say Emails, Messages, breakfast ….so if I change it to Check messages, Read emails, eat breakfast. Will be interesting to notice the difference.


maccomania avatar
maccomania
4
last year

Time boxing and promo do so times helps me . But I get stuck with reward system


mirifree avatar
mirifree
7
2 years ago

It helps me sometimes, to imagine how good I feel if I have made it. And sometimes it helps to exercise a bit self-compassion. To be kind to me, that it is ok to feel bad about it and that I haven’tdone it till now, that I’m still a good person. Also it helps me than, if I like myself again to say to me, I wanna do this task now for me, because it will be like a wonderful present when I made it

spicy  avatar
spicy 4 months ago

I think sometimes we put too many things on our list which makes it feel impossible to do which promotes procrastination coupled with perfectionism. If I can’t get it done, then I can’t start because I won’t finish. We often think we can do more than we actually can partly because of time blindness. And assuming we have no distractions in the meantime. Building in distraction time and lowering our expectations of our ourselves can help. I may want to complete six things in one day but in reality no that’s not gonna happen so I’m gonna move my expectation to three. If I can at least complete those three I can feel successful and if it happens to be a motivating day and I can do more that’s great I can choose to do that. But I’ve given myself permission not to. Then I can feel good about that. I think something else that can be helpful along the lines of celebrating our wins is really tracking them visually. Like make a success jar and pay attention to all the things in a day that you are doing successfully. For example, if every day you get up and you make your bed, you’ve started your day with a success. Then let’s say you brush your teeth or take a shower or fix your hair get dressed even those are all successes and you write each one of them down and you put them in the jar you visually can watch your jar fill up every day with all the things you are doing successfully. So instead of thinking about all the things you’re not getting done and not doing you. Focus on the things you are doing and getting done and you count all of them. When your jars filled up, have a reward predetermined for yourself, then sit down and read all the successes that led you to that reward and go do it. And start again with a new jar. Our brains are programmed to find fault a success jar is a brain training exercise to change our default mode. It also helps improve self-esteem because instead of focusing on all the things you’re not doing you begin to focus on what you are doing which means you get more of the good things because now your brain is focused on that. if any of that made sense. lol


rollarotten avatar
rollarotten
36
2 years ago

Using the 5 minute rule.