Sounds like a rather extensive case of you not giving a damn about getting rank 10. I got my Sandy Flag, Windy Flag, and Bastok Flag all hanging up in my Mog House when PUP was my only 75.

No I didn't have someone drag me through it all.
No my LS wasn't burning them.

I simply said to myself, "I want those flags." Then I got it done. I scanned /sea I looked up anyone in my current rank and I began inviting them for runs. Hardly took any real effort in the end since most of the fights were pretty easy. A few of them were more difficult and actually required the PT to be awake but I had a blast going through those missions and felt awesome afterwards.

Just another example of someone who expects things to fall into his lap instead of putting in the effort. I never really had much problems in FFXI because I didn't wait for my goals to just happen. It is a vital skill every player should be taught. Having everything casual as hell and not forcing group from an early level is going to rob players of this critical knowledge. Hell most people I invite to party aren't even flagged or in Uldahn. I just go through the list of players in range and ask them in /tell if they would like some EXP.

People need to stop equating FFXI and hard work to the boogey man. Those who give a damn about finishing something will find a way in a timely manner. You were only beating yourself. the game had nothing to do with it.