For today's Fun Monday task, our hostess, Faye of Summit Musings wants us to "share your three favorite ways of procrastinating. And if you've figured out exactly WHY you procrastinate, could you share the secret with the rest of us?!"
Actually, I might know more about the second part of the request than I know about my favorite ways of procrastinating. I put things off for a variety of reasons. Sometimes overcommitment and a busy schedule prevents me from beginning tasks although since retirement this is less of an issue for me. Fear presents another obstacle for me. Fear of failure causes me to be apprehensive about attempting some actions. Dislike for the job at hand is another reason to put off for tomorrow what could easily be accomplished today.
Even with these confessions, procrastination is less of a problem for me than in my earlier years. When I was in high school, we were required to write a composition every two weeks and turn it in on Monday morning. When did I write my themes? You know...Sunday night at 10:00 PM. In college while working on my undergraduate degree, I finished my freshman term paper at 8:10 AM, for an 8:30 morning English Composition class. However, in later graduate years, my papers were finished a week ahead of time. (I had my papers typed and would have been embarrassed to ask my typist to produce something at the last minute.)
Yes, I have strayed a bit from the assignment. Maybe I am hesitant to confess how I procrastinate. After all if we know how to resolve an issue, why not fix it? If the task is completely unpleasant, I filibuster with myself creating all sorts of reasons why not to start.
All that being said, I do spend at lot of time at this keyboard whether with social networking. creating projects, or researching topics of interest.
Never do today what you can put off till tomorrow. Delay may give clearer light as to what is best to be done.
Aaron Burr 1756- 1836
9 comments:
I rarely procrastinate because I'm always afraid of something unexpected coming up. However, I do put off anything unpleasant that I don't have to do right away. Like DUSTING.
There seems to be a stopper in many or even most projects or actions. Something gets in the way of getting it done. So, there are lots of reasons things don't done right away. We just need to keep trying to move ahead with the best effort that can be done at this time and place in our lives.
I really am an idiot. I have accidentally published this post about procrastination a whole 24 hours early. My other Fun Monday posts...I usually put off to the last minute. This one about procrastination I wrote earlier this week and pre-scheduled the posting, but I had the wrong date. Seems ironic to me.
My point completely Molly, things you enjoy doing don't get put off, so you must have wanted to post this week!!!
Ah-h-ha! Burr is so right about the value of delay. Sometimes a little "percolating" over a problem or task is called for. I had the same habits as you as an undergraduate and then, like you, became more disciplined with graduate work. The last minute stress was just not that much fun anymore.
I wonder, after reading your post and your comments, if we cease to be adrenaline junkies as we get older. Sure seems like it!
Wisdom ceases our procrastination habits...Like Faye said...as you get older you realize the stress of waiting until the last minute, and getting it done and out of the way makes for a much better experience!
Fear holds me back a lot, as well. If I can't do it perfectly, then why do it? I know it's a sickness.. anyway, I posted late, but it's up!
Researching topics of interest online is fun. Something I read on BBC.com's news often inspires me off on a research journey.
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