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| Procrastination, par Franck Vervial (Photo credit: Franck Vervial) |
Stalling for time is something I frequently do on my blog and in my life. I can always find something to do instead of what I really should do. It's kind of the way I've always been I guess. When I was a kid in school I'd put off projects to the last minute and then stay up late slapping something together. Perhaps to my detriment I'd always seem to come up with A grade work which only reinforced my bad habits of putting things off.
When I learned the word "procrastinate" in my senior year of high school, it became one of my favorite words. The word procrastination made my habit sound more important. Now I could justify my behavior by proclaiming myself a procrastinator. With smug satisfaction I felt comfortable with my poorly justified excuses. Stuck in a rut I am. I still procrastinate much of the time. Eventually I might be able to use the excuse of senility or something like that, but I'll put that off for as long as I can.
It's probably better to dump the excuses and just say things as they are. But who does that when excuses are so easy.
For the next few weeks on my blog I guess I'll be stalling for time like I've done for the past holiday seasons. I'll be trying to slap up something on my sites. If I don't make it I guess I won't be the only one, the difference being that many of you have already scheduled blog vacations. Why would I want to do something like that when I have an opportunity to screw up?
So some of the things you will be seeing in the next three posts are my Battle of the Bands post on Sunday December 15 ( I have planted some clues in this post), announcements on Monday December 16 (a Roast winner and an event to come), and on Wednesday December 18th I will roast myself as requested by Sydney Aaliyah. After that anything goes, but I will try to bring you something as I travel to places afar.
For now I think I've stalled enough for time. Happy Friday the Thirteenth! I'm outta here.
Are you a procrastinator? Why do you think some people tend to put things off? Do you have any helpful hints to help us procrastinators? Any idea what Christmas song I'll be using in my Battle of the Bands post?
Hints for Battle of the Bands... if it's a Christmas song, nothing about time is coming to me. Otherwise, a couple secular songs came to mind.
ReplyDeleteYes, I am a procrastinator, which is why I make an effort to do things right away lest I miss them - or completely forget. That also translates into the fact I am a lazy writer.
Set for Monday and then only one more post on Christmas Eve for the Fifty States of Pray.
And really looking forward to you roasting yourself!
I had to laugh about this Lee because this is so me. If somebody puts something off as much as me then I would love to meet them haha.
ReplyDeleteI am an anti-procrastinator. Sometimes that means I don't have much time to relax because there is always something I have to get done.
ReplyDeleteI procrastinate about things I don't want to do, sewing being one thing that comes to mind. Other things I am right on top of them and often have them done early.
ReplyDeleteHave a great Christmas Lee, don't put that one off.
I used to procrastinate like crazy. Since I started fighting the temptation head-on my productivity has soared, but I completely understand the thought process behind it.
ReplyDeleteProcrastination plagues me at times. I usually do better if I make a list and can cross things off.
ReplyDeleteI was going to post earlier, but I put it off and just now getting around to it... ;)
ReplyDeleteI'm really looking forward to this edition of BOTB since I'm taking part! I've already got my post written and scheduled, so none of my normal procrastination there. :)
So, your song??? I'm not sure, Let's see -- something about deja vu, stalling, or procrastinating? Maybe:
"Deja Vu" -- CSNY
"Tommorow Never Knows" -- The Beatles
"Watchin' the Wheels" -- John Lennon
"Time" -- Pink Floyd
Or even "Stalling for Time" by The Allman Joys (with Duane and Gregg in an early prototype of the future Allman Brothers Band)
Or... since we're coming up on Christmas, maybe the carol, "Who is He in Yonder Stall?"
I used to procrastinate. Then I would plow into the project, adrenaline would kick in, and the project would get completed. I think I enjoyed that adrenaline high, the exuberance it gave me.
ReplyDeleteNow, wiser and older, I plan and prepare, not procrastinate.
I'm not a procrastinator. I like to get what I need to do done so I have time for more things. The sooner work is started the sooner it's done! Even as a kid I did my homework right when I got home (even on Fridays!) so that I had the rest of the evening and weekend to play and have fun without worrying about what I had to do since it was already done!
ReplyDeleteToo bad about the Deja Vu blogfest. I love that one! But I forgot this is the time of year it usually happens, so I guess I'm glad it was called off or I would've missed it. Maybe it'll just be postponed to next month or something!
Happy reading and writing! from Laura Marcella @ Wavy Lines
Hi, I procrastinate all the time. I have book reviews to do and have not read the books. I will be up all night several nights next week. Oh well, I love reading. I hope these books will keep me turning pages. Thanks for stopping by today. :)
ReplyDeleteMany people procrastinate. It is when it affects what you're supposed to being at a serious level when it truly becomes a problem.
ReplyDeleteAlex -- If you're a lazy writer, then I guess I'm in big trouble as a writer.
ReplyDeleteYeamie -- We procrastinators need to stick together. Maybe we should start a club--someday.
L.Diane -- I figured as such!
Jo -- "Things we don't want to do" is the key phrase here. I'm the same way.
Steven -- Occasionally I get inspired to do that but old habits are hard to break.
Susan GK -- Oh, that darn list idea! Sometimes I do that, but usually I just try to remember it all and that doesn't work very well.
Chris -- Good non-seasonal picks, but I too will be doing a Christmas related song.
Susan -- Sometimes I do tasks that way and it is a better way to go.
Laura-- Oh you goodie two shoes! Don't rub my bad habits in.
Mary -- Oh the books! I have so many books that I'm slated to read and review. I don't think I'll get much of that done during the holidays.
Lee
Sheena-kay -- I don't know that I'm at the serious problem level. For me it's just become a way of life and I manage to get most things done that are essential.
ReplyDeleteLee
Mostly, I'm pretty goal-directed and don't procrastinate EXCEPT on dreaded, hated household chores. I'd embarrassed to admit how long clean laundry sits in a basket, sometimes needing another run in the dryer to get the wrinkles out. :-0
ReplyDeleteI'm sure my younger son has you beat. Oh... my... gosh...!
ReplyDeleteHoly COW, yes, I procrastinate. BUT! I have a tip: imagine you have a crappy task that you're putting off (if you can't imagine any, let me know. I have several I'll be happy to share). Then, think of another, even CRAPPIER task that you've also been putting off. Suddenly, the first crappy task seems less crappy and you can get 'er done, if not with vigor and enthusiasm, at least with some degree of haste. Of course, this tip does nothing about the still-lurking, even CRAPPIER first task, but at least one is out of the way!
ReplyDeleteI have a hard time seeing you as a procrastinator.
DeleteI'm a procrastinator to the core. Tried to stop in high school, tried to stop in college. Never really could. I've got my 100th blog post on Sunday and it still isn't done, so obviously nothing's changed.
ReplyDeleteI tend to procrastinate on tasks that I dread doing, like returning phone calls, dealing with our pain in the ass health insurance, making doctor appts, etc. But then the stress of it hanging over my head gets to me so I just rip the bandaid off and do it.
ReplyDeleteThis week I haven't been posting or reading (much), but I am on vacation... so I don't feel remotely bad about it!
ReplyDeleteJagoda -- I guess my problem is that I dread too many things.
ReplyDeleteAndrew -- I know I'm not the worst in the world.
Cranky --That sounds like a plan. Maybe similar to what I've been doing.
Shelly -- Well, it's true.
Sarah-- Once you get into the habit it's a difficult one to change.
JoJo -- I owe so many people cards and letters that I've just given up on it.
Robin -- I should go on an actual blog vacation for a couple of weeks, but I just can't seem to bring myself to do it.
Lee
I think most of us wish we had more time in the day so that we could allocate some of it for the undesirable; but... we know that we'd still feel the same as we do now.
ReplyDeleteI can actually go both ways, sometimes I procrastinate and sometimes I don't. :)
ReplyDeleteWhat's really hard is when my kids procrastinate and I'm up till all hours of the night editing some paper for them (that they didn't give me till 10 pm) and right before I was going to bed. :)
I agree with Shelly, that it's hard to believe you're a procrastinator. Having the ability to write so many blogs, and work tirelessly before, during, and after A to Z takes structure and discipline. All of your juggling experience has really paid off.
ReplyDeleteJulie
Thanks for this Arlee, telling it like it is! The things I procrastinate about are usually the most nb things... It is I a form of resistance I reckon, as when we have psychological work to do and we don't want to.
ReplyDeleteBut it is so wonderful when the work gets done whether writing, laundry, gardening, actually going for a walk around the block (no, not now, tomorrow, it's too cold it's too hot etc etc).
Procrastinate is one of my favorite words/activities too :) Congrats on the Cheerfest roasting Lee. I read several posts; but didn't comment as much as I should have, and didn't participate. I'm procrastinating blogging by being too fascinated by my new day job. LOL.
ReplyDeleteWell, life goes on. Have a good holiday season Lee.
......dhole
Anita -- There's never enough time it seems.
ReplyDeleteKimberly -- Sometimes I do great, but I guess it depends on what it is. I don't recall my kids procrastinating much, but I don't think they let me know when they did.
Julie -- I don't know how much the juggling experience help, but believe me--I do a lot of procrastinating.
Susan Scott-- It's good if we can delegate the things we don't want to do to others, but unfortunately that's not always possible.
Donna -- A day job can certainly be a diversion from other activities.
Lee
I come from good Irish and Dutch stock and I believe Procrastination is the Dutch word for "Tomorrow works, too."
ReplyDeleteI *hope* you'll be featuring "Last Christmas" by Wham! but that's only 'cos it is my annual Cringe Song of the '80s :)
Also looking forward to Wednesday - and the true story behind the tuxedo coat formerly known as the "Brown Jacket." :)
I was going to leave a comment. Maybe tomorrow, or the next day or..
ReplyDeleteI had this strange sensation that I experienced reading this posting at another time.
Seriously, story of my life. I keep putting things off and then can panic at the last moment. "Do they know it's Christmas time at all..."
No hints or suggestions to speak of, other than simply deciding that today's the day that you're going to do what you intended to do, come hell or high water.
ReplyDeleteThat's about the only way I can get through my procrastination, which is to simply force myself to whatever it is that I'm avoiding at the moment.