Ah, PROCRASTINATION – my old friend. Procrastination and I used to be really tight. (The Jodie ½ of Lydia, that is. I’ve never known Tammy to ever procrastinate.) Sadly, procrastination is an old friend I’ve been too busy for lately. And I kind of miss it.
In school, I remember waiting until the last minute to finish a paper or start working on a project that was due the next day. Memories of all-nighters just flashed in my mind. But at the time, there had been too many fun things to do that prevented me from working on whatever I should have been working on. Trips to the mall, gossiping with friends, dances, football games, and my after school job.
So whatever I needed to do got pushed and shoved aside time and again until it couldn’t be pushed or shoved any further. Enter the all-nighter. Of course, I could have done those projects with time to spare. *Sigh* I miss those days. Having time, that is, to either goof off or to complete all the work that needs to be completed.
These days my life is so busy, I can’t afford to procrastinate. Oh, that doesn’t mean I get everything done that I should. (Some things don’t get done at all. Shh, don’t tell my mother. She wants me to be perfect.) But I have to prioritize. What are the most important things that need to be finished? Whatever that turns out to be any given day gets completed on time. And whatever isn’t important (or falls low on the list – like laundry) gets pushed aside. Not because I’m putting it off in favor of something more fun, but because other things trump it on my to-do list.
If we could just add 5 hours to our day, I’m sure I could get everything done that needs to get done – but alas, sleeping does rank pretty high on my list. After all, without sleep nothing else would get completed at all.
Do you have a list that seems never-ending? What always gets done? And what do you never find time to get to?
I'll be reading closely this month for insights about procrastination because I don't have that much experience with it. I'm considering the idea that only people with a big appetite for life are plagued by this malady, because they are the ones most likely to spot fun things to do lurking on every hand.
ReplyDeleteOr maybe they are the people who will never, ever miss a deadline. When the rest of us would shrug and say "I need a little more time" the person who is considered a procrastinator will say, "Whoops, I spent a little too long out with friends, reading a novel, baking cookies... and now I need to nail that deadline."
Never met a procrastinator who wasn't fun to spend time with....
I never thought of procrastination being a luxury before. Thank you for widening my horizon.
ReplyDeleteThat puts it in the same wagon as coffee...back in the late 60's when Husband was in college, coffee went from less than a dollar a pound to over three dollars, making it a luxury. I didn't drink it until it hit that high dollar. I figured anything that expensive had to be good and began a love affair that is still going on.
Procrastination, coffee, luxury...got it straight in my mind now...thanks for clearing that up for me!
My kids and animals always get fed and picked up. Now as for getting picked up, that can be from some where or, while they were younger, if they needed a cuddle or were crying for hours at a time (Yes, Twinkle Toes, I'm talking about you again!)
ReplyDeleteAs for the feeding thing, you'd never guess that if you heard my cat right now, but then he lies like a rug. Other than feeding the kids, picking them up, and okay, taking Twinkle Toes to dance, everything else is up for grabs. Oh and now, I pull all weekers, all nighters are child's play.
You guys are so fun to read and informative too!
ReplyDeleteThe animals always get what they need because they can't feed and walk themselves. And the writing gets done. Other than that, it's a scramble!
ReplyDeleteDusting. Thank heavens hubby is willing to do it.
ReplyDeleteGrace ~ LOL. Good luck in gathering your procrastination insight. :)
ReplyDeleteCarolyn ~ You ALWAYS crack me up. I am so glad I was able to widen your horizons.
Robin ~ My cat is a liar too! LOL. You'd think she was the most mistreated thing on the planet.
Jessica ~ Thanks. ;)
Joanne ~ Indeed! Everything else is a crap shoot. :)
Lil ~ You're so lucky! It's hard getting anyone to help me dust. (that's one of the things way down my list. LOL)
ReplyDeleteLaundry always gets done in my house because I have a baby and I need her stuff to be clean. A lot of times things like taking my car to the shop or buying household items doesn't get done. It seems I'm always running to the store for something I need right then.
ReplyDeleteOh I definitely procrastinate. I need someone coming over for a visit before I ever truly clean my house lol. I guess I need that deadline for the many things I don't want to do. I do all the basics but nothing extra unless I feel I have to. Although I do need those kind of deadlines, I hate having things that I know I have to do such as Christmas shopping or gifts to buy. I can worry about what to get for months on end and what a huge waste of worrying lol. So no answers from me I'm afraid.
ReplyDeleteLydia, I'm with you. I have to have my sleep. But I could go with an extra 5 hrs to get things done (so long as my kids are asleep or out of the house) life would be grand.
ReplyDeleteYes, my to-do list is ten miles long. And it never seems to shorten. I'm always trying to prioritize what has to be done with what should be done with what can be ignored. I've decided I need a personal assistant.
ReplyDeleteI absolutely agree. I long for the days when I could actually procrastinate by goofing off, not just doing some other chore I dislike least.
ReplyDeleteShana ~ I was the same way when my son was little. Now he gets to start the washer. :)
ReplyDeleteCatslady~ LOL. Back in the day, I would schedule a party at my house so I'd have to clean it. Now I have someone come TO clean it every other week. Thank God for her!
Elisabeth ~ Ah, sleep. I love my sleep. It's the one part of my day when no one wants anything from me. ;)
Olivia ~ I have a friend with a personal assistant and I am sooooo jealous. I need one too. (Actually, I've been joking lately that I need a wife. LOL)
Amanda ~ We're those the good ol' days? ;) I miss them too.
Well things like laundry and the minor house work gets done here but things like cleaning out the attic, closets, cabinates and things like that are what get put off here and never gets done. So what I am say things that really need done will get done sometimes but the not so important things just get put off.
ReplyDeleteI think adding five hours to the day is a wonderful idea! Maybe I'd get to more fun stuff.
ReplyDeleteNah, I'd just keep writing!
Procrastinating is a practice that should not be tolerated while early stages. The longer you do it, the greater the consequences are.
ReplyDeleteKeep take out menus from favorite restaurants so you can order ahead and pick up dinner on your way home.
ReplyDeleteWhen using more than one checking account, color coded checks are an easy way to identify each account.
Keep take out menus from favorite restaurants so you can order ahead and pick up dinner on your way home.
ReplyDeleteWhen using more than one checking account, color coded checks are an easy way to identify each account.
I think I answered your questions in my post this month. :}
ReplyDelete