by Amanda Forester Procrastination. I do believe I must be the president of this fan club. My husband’s favorite saying is “things you leave to the last minute, only take a minute”. Not perhaps the best mantra with regards to quality, but a nice attempt at putting a positive spin on my secret afflictions.
I have long been infected with procrastination. There are many things I know I need to do at some point, but I put off doing them until the last possible second. Like the dentist. Or paying taxes. Ok, let’s see a show of hands of people who are just now realizing that the tax deadline is looming close. How did it get to be mid-April so soon?
Along with procrastination, I suffer from avoidination. These are things I absolutely avoid doing, with no real intention of ever getting around to doing them. My garage is a good example. We moved to our new house five years ago, and yet there are still boxes in the garage I have yet to unpack. Safe bet I don’t really need whatever is in them. Every few weeks my husband and I talk about the need to clean out the garage, but do we ever do anything about it? No. Not even close.
Another malady I am afflicted with is distractination. This is when I set out to accomplish a certain task but then the dog throws up, and the kids fight, and the phone rings, and dinner needs to be made, and I need to get the laundry in, and, and, and… somehow by the end of the day, despite working awfully hard, I have not accomplished my goal.
So what are you? A procrastinator? An avoidinator? A distractinator? Pull up a chair and tell me all about it. I’m right there with you.
I got my taxes done!
ReplyDeleteWe had only 2 days left at the library for the AARP to do people's taxes this week. The service started at 4 PM last night, by 4:45, they had enough to do that they couldn't take any more for the 4-hour session. Friday is their last day. I know we're going to get a LOT of unhappy people.
It's free folks. You had since Feb to get them done for FREE. So why did you wait until it was too late?
Saturday--when they usually do them, they're only doing by appt. I'm so glad I'm not working this Sat! :)
But the funniest part? We'll get a bunch of people coming in AFTER the tax deadline to get their taxes filed. And they get quite upset with us because AARP no longer does them. Try...H&R Block. But it costs! Yep.
I looked on three different keyboards in my office and I can't find one of those green keys...you must be special to get one of those!
ReplyDeleteTaxes were done in February. Closets still look like a Goodwill dump ground got shoved into them. I think I must have chronic avoidinationitis...not terminal because some things do get done eventually. It just lies dormant in my blood stream and pops up at the most inopportune moments!
Amanda,
ReplyDeleteI'm the kind of person that just likes to get in there and get it done. I don't like waiting around or putting something off to later. I just have to do it and get it over with.
Amelia
Terry - I postpone the inevitable isn't bright - but I confess I've been one of those people finding the midnight tax drop off places on April 15. Not my finest hour!
ReplyDeleteCarolyn - My closet is ok, but my garage looks like a rummage sale gone wild. This is after multiple trips to Goodwill to drop off stuff. I think the stuff breeds at night...
Amelia - and this is why you are so successful! I'm sure I'm efficient about something in my life, such as... hmmmm... I'll have to get back to you on that.
Too funny! Distractionation! Yeah, that's me. I am always doing way too many things at one time and sometimes feel like I never finish any of them!
ReplyDeleteOrganizing the garage sounds an awful lot like cleaning house, so I must be one of those avoidinators. LOL
ReplyDeleteTaxes are done. I love getting my refund way too much to procrastinate on that task!
Hmmm..."things you leave 'til the last minute only take a minute." Tell your hubby thanks, Amanda - now I suffer from rationalization of my procrastination!!!
ReplyDeleteShana - isn't it amazing how you can work hard all day and have nothing to show for it?
ReplyDeleteTracey - good for you on the taxes. I'm right there with you on cleaning. Such a thankless job because you know it's just going to get messed up again!
Joanne - rationalization - the worst of all my afflictions! Sorry to infect you! ;)
Amanda, that's too true. When it comes to tasks, I'm actually a go getter. I can't stand things sitting there. It continues to nag and bother me until I do it so I've learned to just save myself the aggravation and 'get er done!' Larry the Cable Guy. LOL.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure I'm all 3 lol. We still haven't done our taxes but then we owe them money :) That's the other thing - always have an excuse ready lol.
ReplyDeleteTaxes are done, DH sent them off to my cousin the CPA months ago. If it were up to me, I'd just start dealing with the stuff now. As for the afflictions, I suffer from all of them which just puts me square in the path of good intentionitis. But considering I have two sick kids and a husband who isn't expected home until after 10 tonight, It's a wonder I haven't gone running to Bellevue!
ReplyDeleteI'm afflicted with all these. I procrastinate until the last minute and then get distracted and forget what I was doing. Now, the exception is something that comes by email that I can quickly finish. I'll do that immediately, which can give the false impression that I'm organized.
ReplyDeleteI've been mum most of this month because I'm not a procrastinator (more on that tomorrow!), but I know what you mean about disctracination. No matter how meticulously I plan things out, something always comes up! Great blog :)
ReplyDeleteAll of thee above. I'm procrastinating by avoiding those distractions.
ReplyDeleteI did pay my taxes two months ago. I wasn't sure if I would owe money or not, so I needed to get them done so I wouldn't have a "surprise" bill to pay in April. I got a refund. $60. Yes, I spent it all in one place.
I will have to say I am all three. I do all of these things that is why I never get anything done. I did finally get my lawn finished today.
ReplyDeletelead[at]hotsheet[dot]com
Victoria - Larry the cable guy has a pretty good motto!
ReplyDeleteCatslady - ah yes, the ever important excuse. My kids are masters at this - I wonder where they get that from?
Robin - glad I'm not the only one to suffer from good intentionitis. Hope your kids are feeling better soon without sharing their germs with you!
Anita - more often than I like to admit I'll walk into a room and totally forget why I'm there!
ReplyDeleteDanielle - I always have lots of plans for my day - if I can accomplish about half I call it a success!
Olivia - it's really bad when they all attack at once!
ReplyDeleteVirginia - good for you! Lawn work is definitely something I avoid!
I love your husband's saying, Amanda. :}
ReplyDelete