I can't explain how to do this because it's in my head but when I have to make a call or something I keep putting off I can force myself to do it by kind of taking my brain out of the equation. Like for a phone call I just start dialing and by the time the procrastinating part of me catches on to what's happening the phone is already ringing and I might as well go through with it.

[–] Sabata11792@ani.social 5 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) (1 children)

It's like the same brain mechanics that prevent you from touching a hot stove. You got to go out of your way to override or tick it since phone calls are also existential hazards.

[–] lightnsfw@reddthat.com 3 points 2 months ago

Yea, that's a good analogy for what's happening.

[–] Danquebec@sh.itjust.works 4 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago)

I do the same when I want to start working on any task but it seems daunting or boring and I procrastinate. I just do the first step, like "ok just open the task's description, read it and try to understand the context". By the time I did this, I have no difficulty moving to the next step.

[–] kusivittula@sopuli.xyz 1 points 2 months ago

pretend you are someone who does things immediately?

[–] FeelThePower@lemmy.dbzer0.com 14 points 2 months ago (2 children)

I've desperately needed a dentist appointment for so long... but I keep doing this.

[–] Zorg@lemmings.world 4 points 2 months ago

I didn't go to the dentist for 4 years, moved & Covid & postponing making an appointment 50-100 times. I severely regret not going sooner.

[–] BenLeMan@lemmy.world 3 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Do you want to lose a tooth? Cause that's how you lose a tooth. Speaking from experience here.

And despite being pretty good about dentist's appointments these days, I, too, have been putting off a doctor's appointment for weeks now. (It's tomorrow, finally. )

[–] FeelThePower@lemmy.dbzer0.com 2 points 2 months ago

I've lost many, including a front one. even had to have a jaw surgery when I was 17. it's just so expensive. so every time I want to schedule, I think "what if I can't afford it".

[–] HubertManne@moist.catsweat.com 11 points 2 months ago

yup. almost did it to find my doctors office eliminated saturday hours. Now I can procrastinate looking for a new doctors office with weekend hours before I even get to the appointment phase.

[–] massive_bereavement@fedia.io 9 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Procastination is a fun costume our fears wear. I'll do anything if I can avoid calling someone, it stresses me a lot. But knowing it and dealing with it helps me.

That said, roleplaying someone that's good calling sometimes helps as catharso said. Just don't do any MGS voice.

[–] db0@lemmy.dbzer0.com 6 points 2 months ago

Not always. There's simple executive disfunction to consider

[–] LordAmplifier@pawb.social 8 points 2 months ago (1 children)

My GP has an online tool to make appointments, and it's great. I wouldn't use it for genuinely private stuff because the company behind it is a bit shady, but booking an appointment to get vaccinated is generic enough for me to pick convenience over privacy. It'd be great if they could use open-source, privacy-respecting software, though.

[–] BenLeMan@lemmy.world 2 points 2 months ago

That's what finally helped me get an appointment for tomorrow.

[–] shadow@lemmy.sdf.org 7 points 2 months ago

I emailed my "care team" asking if they could help me figure out if I have been dealing with undiagnosed adult ADHD and they wrote back with a phone number to call.

I haven't called them.

It's been 3? 4? Days.

[–] yuri@pawb.social 7 points 2 months ago

i put off calling in a refill for my adderall too many times and my doctor got upset with me and now he calls ME if i go more than like 2 weeks over my script duration. i got remarkably lucky finding him.

[–] twinnie 6 points 2 months ago

For these quick jobs where you just have to momentarily commit and you can’t give up once you’ve started (when they’ve answered the phone) I’ve got the mental gymnastics pretty well down.

It’s kind of like when you need to get into a cold swimming pool. I just go to the deep end and block out that it’s going to be horrible and think about nothing else than the act of making my body jump in. Once you’re flying through the air it doesn’t matter what you think because you’re going in

[–] Darkassassin07@lemmy.ca 5 points 2 months ago (1 children)

I see your week and raise you a 4 months....

[–] volvoxvsmarla@lemm.ee 5 points 2 months ago (1 children)

I've been taking the wrong dosage of my thyroid medication since November because I postpone calling the doctor all the time

[–] Darkassassin07@lemmy.ca 3 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago)

Being an adult is so much fun.

[–] Bricriu@lemmy.world 4 points 2 months ago

Man, I look fat in this meme.

[–] AddLemmus@lemmy.ml 4 points 2 months ago

Oh yes. Quite enabling that where I live, the last opportunity is basically Thursday 4 pm, next opportunity Monday morning, but then the line is usually busy.

[–] tquid@sh.itjust.works 3 points 2 months ago

This post actually got me to call my pharmacist to get early refills so I’ll have meds for my trip coming up

[–] higgsboson@dubvee.org 2 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago)

Let us know when you start counting it in decades. Those lumps probably aren't anything bad, right?