Procrastination or laziness

Revelation Joe

Hi,

I hope this is OK to post here. If not, then please accept my apologies and lock it. But if you could suggest the right board, that'd be handy...

For a while, I have been putting off tasks at work during the normal working day and end up staying at work longer to catch up on the tasks that I should have done.
As the title says, am I procrastinating or am I just lazy?
Because my boss doesn not check up on me often, it appears to him that I am working hard, because all the work gets done (eventually!) and also because I am quite good at telling untruths, I can cover up any jobs that I haven't done if he does check.
It is starting to worry me because I am sure that I have not done jobs that I have should have, like maybe sending out invoices so customers end up getting their work done for free.
Meanwhile, there are piles of paperwork on my desk, my filing tray is overflowing and I am spending time on the Web, listening to the radio, reading the newspaper or making coffee...

Do I have a problem?

Del

DOLEMAN

Yes you have a problem!

Went through a long phase like that myself. I was really good at things I was interested in, and totally lacking in energy on other things (like me job.)

I think it is a combination of mild depression and laziness. It's like you get into a routine of doing nothing!

You need to start doing at least the basics though - the stuff that could come back to haunt you. The other stuff, well, only you know if you "need" to do that or not.

How long have you had this problem?
What age are you?
Did you have it in your previous job as well?

Revelation Joe

Thanks Doleman

I'm 36 and TBH I've had this to some extent in just about every job I've had.
I'm not good at management or supervisor roles - I'm too soft and I believe everything anyone tells me. But other jobs leave me frustrated and I neglect things (e.g the filing) until they are so bad I have to do something about it...

It also seems to be spilling into other aspects of my life e.g. one of my hobbies is model trains but even that, I haven't done anything for weeks. I seem to hit the sofa and watch TV or surf the web every night.
I was playing five-a-side regularly but I've had an injury for a couple of months so I haven't even really been anywhere except work and home.

I *know* I have to break the cycle but (procrastinating again) I just can't seem to get a start on it. I try with good intentions but after about a fortnight it goes out the window

It's not as if I particularly hate my job. It's OK and I actually have a good boss - I feel guilty for what I do (or don't do) while he's paying me

Del

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Sounds like me tbh.

Everything is going to be done "to-morrow".

I find motivation is stuff for me in any job. I was extremely well motivated in college, but feel lazy now. So hard to just get off my @rse.

Anyone have a miracle cure?

DOLEMAN

I don't really believe it is just laziness. I think some people are wired to be "workers" and others are more... I don't know the word... not workers?

I also think it's got to do with peoples priorities. For some people their job and career are the most important (or at least, very important) and for others working is just a minor aspect in ones life. Relaxing and doing your own thing is more important.

But obviously, the world is not made for non-workers.

I'm not too sure what the solution is. Maybe join a startup where there is excitement and risk?

I know my "solution" is to create my own projects. For example, I am building sex.ie at the moment. I like creating things and I hope I'll be able to make some money from this site. I also created dole.ie. I hope one day to make a little money from this.

Not sure if I'm making any sense. Basically what I'm trying to say is doing some kind of "self-employed" thing might work.