For Zen and the other depression people, here's something I pulled off Seanan McGuire's Tumblr a while ago. I keep it on hand for when things look bad:

DEPRESSION LIES. WE KNOW THAT YOU HAVE HEARD THIS BEFORE. WE KNOW ALSO THAT SOME THINGS GROW STRONGER WITH REPEATING, AND SO: DEPRESSION LIES. DEPRESSION TELLS YOU THAT YOU ARE WEAK, BUT YOU ARE STRONG—SO STRONG. YOU CARRY THE DNA OF SURVIVAL IN EVERY CELL OF YOUR BODY. YOUR BONES ARE LACED WITH THE DUST OF GALAXIES, YOUR MIND IS POWERED WITH THE SOULS OF SUNS. YOU ARE A MIRACLE WALKING, AND YOU ARE STRONGER THAN THE LIES YOUR MIND ATTEMPTS TO TELL YOU.

And going with what Toddson quoted, having a "here are the list of things you need to do in order" isn't really useful when getting out of bed doesn't happen. For me, it does help when I actually feel capable of doing a thing.

Congrats, flea!

Matt, Wow! I'm glad you were able to stop in time!

I don't think I have executive function issues, but I sometimes fall into the trap of DO ALL THE THINGS!! or do none of the things. So that's why for me, focusing on one tiny thing is a good strategy -- either I get momentum to do more, or at least the one thing is done.

The Productive procrastination method is useful to me, at least at work. It does not do much for when I am sitting at home thinking, "tumblr, Facebook, or cleaning?" because Tumblr wins.

Ugh. Today is slowly turning in a disaster. I went to my wife's new office to be there for the Internet install which took longer than I expected. Once I made sure her computer could get online and such I went to get lunch, but that took too long so she's in a bad mood now. Then I realized I need to do some more network configuration, set up the printer there, while I still need to make dinner, now the yard, work extra to make up some of that time, pick up my son from the college campus, help my daughter with calc review, and, oh, exercise. Meanwhile there are three loads of laundry to put away and the sink is already full of dishes even though I did dishes last night. I can't do everything so that will probably get her even more angry. I feel like I can never get ahead. Oh, and how much do I hate it will people advocating exercise are all like it's easy to find an extra 20-30 minutes in your day if you really try. 30 minutes of time is a massive amount for me.

Since my brother is getting his Masters in psychology, he and I regularly text each other to engage in an APA vs AMA style manual shit-talking flamewar. Good times.

Ah, good times indeed. CMOS represent. Editor battle!

Matt, holy god, what a scare. omg.

On a TIN chimney? Woodpecker, go home, you're drunk.

Zen, I didn't think I had executive function problems until I recently realized that I have executive function problems.

Yeah, exactly! "What's that? Oh. It's me."

I've been trying to set up systems for myself not only to list the thing I need to do, but also to break it down into smaller tasks.

I try to do that, but that too gets overwhelming.

having a "here are the list of things you need to do in order" isn't really useful when getting out of bed doesn't happen. For me, it does help when I actually feel capable of doing a thing.

Yes, that.

Oh, hey, yesterday my doctor told me that I'm tougher than I think I am. That was good to hear.

Like water, Tumblr always wins.

Gud - first things first - take care of the kids and yourself. The rest will be there and you will power through it. You always do. And if anything doesn't get done today, nothing is going to blow up. If your wife has an issue, she can jump in and help.

Oh, and how much do I hate it will people advocating exercise are all like it's easy to find an extra 20-30 minutes in your day if you really try.

Yes! I had been great about getting to my new gym (which I love) and then all the craziness and travel hit. I've been home almost a week and I still haven't carved out the time to take care of myself and go.

My to-do list is a lengthy number of work things, writing a discussion response and making progress on my final paper for my current class. and...actually, those are the only things I HAVE to do today. I have clean underwear so laundry can happen tomorrow, the dishes are surprisingly under control...both CJ and I have been keeping up on them, reorganizing the garage so I can park in there can happen whenever, CJ mowed the front lawn - first mow of the year, CJ also needs to clean up the living room now that he feels better, and finishing my home office set-up is going to be an iterative process over the next while.

so , Gud. How about a different strategy --- and let your wife know what won't happen today. Or let her choose. Maybe , even if she can't help giving her some choice wil calm things down

I have more thoughts , but you know your situation

Yes! I had been great about getting to my new gym (which I love) and then all the craziness and travel hit. I've been home almost a week and I still haven't carved out the time to take care of myself and go.

That's why I've been working out at home with DVDs and taking walks. Somehow the time gets away from me and then I don't want to add in the extra time it takes to drive to the gym, check in, and then get all my shit together when I'm done and drive back home. If I work out at home, I save at least half an hour, sometimes 45 minutes. (But really, I just need to manage my damn time better.)