Baltrum

How to make being a last minute person, work to my advantage?

Ever since as far as I can remember, I would always work last minute. Throughout years I've tried all the recommended keeping a schedule, etc, etc, etc to stop being so last minute but it would always be that I would start well then spiral down to last minute panicking. This is in everything I pretty much do in life from work to even just down to shopping for an outfit. Now maybe it's time for a new approach. Any suggestions?

Public Comments

1. You can't, it's a disadvantage before you've even begun.
2. If you figure it out, let me know. I'm a last-minute person too, but I think I thrive under that pressure and challenge. Maybe you need to be more challenged at work. As for shopping, I do the same thing and sometimes that backfires on me.
3. I'm the same way, and I've never found a good way to fix it. Maybe it's just the way we are and that's the way it's going to be? If you hear of a good answer...let me know! Best Wishes
4. Find a system that will help you get organized really fast so that when you do busy you wont waste you time on the unnecessay.
5. if you work in a field where info changes rapidly, and is still changing up to the last minute, your procrastination would be something of a benefit.
6. If all you say is true:that you've tried everything to no avail,then it's just your nature to "hit the ground running"in everything you do. Don't fight it but rather,give yourself up to the idea and it'll cause you less stress. Leave all that to the anal retentives who just HAVE to be on schedule,for everything,all the time!
7. So like me but everything work out for me. maybe you don't need to change, you just need to know how to use your last minutes as an advantage.
8. You are so irresponsible! I bet u wake up late! You have to be OPTIMISTIC, look forward to everything. And dont think to much about things, usually ur first choice is the right one. If ur a guy, dude u need to get it together cause the same thing caused my divorce years back. BE AGGRESSIVE AND FIRM with ur decisions
9. You arent gonna find any good suggestion but I know that the only way to break a habit is by replacing it with another one it might be very tough for you becuase you been this way your WHOLE life but I do suggest you try good luck to you and I really hope you do break the habit becuase there are may advantages of always being on time or early.
10. wait till the last minute to take the new approach
11. There is a book "Instant Analysis" by David Lieberman. I don't own it but have borrowed it from the library & I think it tells why people do this. If you can get it, it might explain why you do this & then you can work on not needing this behavior.
12. I had a cousin like that. No one wanted to deal with her cause of her tardiness. As she got older she know who and who not to play with like that. So now she makes sure shes on time for work but she will still not be ready when we go out or when we meet up. I think knowledge comes with getting older. Not to say no one will want to deal with you anymore because of your tardiness but once u start changing in small ways it will effect your entire life. So my advice is to get ready ahead of time for work or school and then try it out when u relaly dont need to be on time for anything. U just have to apply yourself cause no one can help u change your ways but you.
13. I was like that too. I decided to change as well. Just think about the jam you will be in if you get unexpected company, or injure yourself, or get really really sick w/ food poisoning or a virus, and the predicament you would have avoided by doing the task ahead of schedule... Things do bottleneck sometimes and you end up losing out - if you dont address stuff in a timely fashion... Much less stress, too. Also, people will think you are so organized and in command of your life !!!
14. I used to be like that in college(of all places)...try breaking large projects down into small managable pieces that you can handle. Once faced with something, plan (down to the day) what small steps you can take to acheiving the goal, without over working yourself or rushing. for example, on Monday, I'll do A) and Wed. I'll do B) and Frid. I'll do C)...but do make it too crazy... that way when its time for the finished project you'll have most or everything complete. Some people work better under pressure, but its not for everyone, and is usually ineffective. good luck.