Getting started on things.

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Does anyone else have a really hard time getting started when it's time to get things done?

I have a test in class tomorrow, as well as an assignment due, and I'm having the hardest time just getting started. It's down to the wire. I've had tons of time to get ready for both of these, but I've not used it. There is so much I'd rather be doing. I'm even posting a thread about it online instead of just doing it.

I find this pervades every aspect of my life - cleaning, shopping, showering and dressing. Everything is last minute, I have the hardest time getting started on anything.

Is this an ASD thing? If it is, could someone explain why?

And does anyone have any good tips on how to get around this trouble getting started? And maybe staying on task, too? Ever since I was a kid I've been like this. But on the other hand, if it's related to my special interest, I have no problems doing it. Unfortunately, while the subjects I am studying are close to my special interest, they are not close enough to get around this problem.

Could be ASD thing, I have it and I know someone who just diagnosed and she has it as well.

There are so many things I need to do yet I barely start only 5% of them and I keep somethings in my mind even for months thinking I need to start with them soon or now, yet I never even start..

Absolutely, I have a lot of problems with motivation. I think it might have to do with my anxiety, as I can literally feel my brain sending out signals to not do things, and imagining obstacles. A little nudge from someone else almost always clears this up (except when it comes to homework), and once I've started something, it's relatively easy to finish.

executive function is where i have always been weak. executing things is an almost insurmountable hurdle, akin to pushing a car uphill with a rope. hell, even planning things to be later executed is like trying to herd cats.

I've got this problem, and recently its been starting to really hurt me. It's not just starting stuff that's hard, it's also continuing stuff that I have taken a break from for whatever reason. Also it's not just the stuff that I need to get done that I'm struggling to start, it's also my personal projects that I'm actually interested in as well. This is really making me depressed, and I need help.

If something is to be done periodically, what I've found to work the best is to set it into your routine and make it a habit. Getting it into habit is the hard part.

I need help, I'm getting really frusturated with myself and my lack of productivity.

I also deal with a fair bit of inertia, due to the same reasons. I'm getting better at getting things done and I've improved in that area over the past 4 years.

What did you do to improve, CockneyRebel?

I have major problems with it. I get very little done and the little I do get done exhausts me. It's really affected my self esteem over the years.

Sounds a bit like me. If I have something I don’t especially want to do for a class I will keep putting it off and sometimes absolutely anything can distract me if I actually have a go at starting it or I will start doing other things that I should do but have been putting off in preference.
I find anything on paper has the potential to be hard to start. It’s often just getting past starting it and not having a blank piece of paper in front of me.

i have this issue when im in a bad mood.

YES. I procrastinate until I've got like 2 minutes left to finish something. It's awful. xD

Oh yeah. Unless it's something to do my with interests and I enjoy it I can procrastinate for a very long time. I have problems related to this at work and to some degree at home too.

I'm the same way. And it's not even in a procrastination way of "eh, I'll get to it, just not now," but feels like my brain is just too overwhelmed/stimulated to even contemplate taking focused action against the problem/task.

I have a lot of issues with that as well......and if anything it's gotten worse. I feel it is more than procrastination as it is not a lack of wanting to do a specific undesirable task its a complete lack of motivation to do anything at all. But in my case I think its related to having depression but AS might have something to do with it as well.

I don't really have any advice though.