Thursday, April 24, 2014

Time flies when you're procrastinating

     I procrastinate.  In fact, I'm actively procrastinating this very minute.  We all do it.  C'mon, admit it.  You've squandered every last minute before there was absolutely no time left to delay getting something done, and sometimes it is looooong overdue.  And then, BAM...it's like a stress festival on crack (if you haven't already spent the time justifying the overdue nature of your duties).  And inevitably, the job is done to a lesser degree (well, sometimes) than you had hoped.  Now, I really don't know if I actually consciously choose to delay the work, (well, if it's housecleaning, I'm sure I do it consciously) or if I am just so easily distracted I don't finish...or even start.  Raise your hand if you can relate.  Okay, now keep your hand raised if you are also a parent.  I'd bet my left eye that includes most of you.  I have nicknamed this condition, "The Parent Time Enigma".  Seriously, where does the time go?  I'm pretty sure that the last time I checked I was 29 and my body parts did not indicate the direction of gravity.  I mean, there's never enough time!!  It seems to me that procrastination is actually a skill to cope with parenthood!  *SIGH* But, I digress.  I have always procrastinated...then, the children arrived.  Procrastination took on a whole new level.  A scary level.  Except, everybody forgave me because I had children!  Ha!  My reputation was saved!  (Well, at least I'd like to believe that). 
     Anyways, I have found that as a parent there is always an infinite number of "other" things to do instead of what I am supposed to be doing.  I can totally make a work space to cook amongst the dirty dishes I don't feel like doing.  And you know what?  I don't care!  Whew, that was a cathartic.  Seriously, I get my shit done.  And the added adrenaline from waiting to long is a little addictive, especially if it miraculously turns out amazing!  If you want it done in a timely manner, I ain't your gal.  I'll get it done by the deadline, sure, but you're not allowed to ask me how it's going.  It's likely not going if you are asking me about it, and it's not going to be until I feel compelled to actually do it.  Yup.  Truth.  But, it's okay.  If I really want to stress less, I'll figure out how to actually plan things out.  And truth be told, there are a few things in my life that I don't leave to the last minute.  For example, using the restroom.  I rarely wait too long for that one.  It can go desperately wrong after the birth of two children.  Also, it would be highly unlikely for me to procrastinate in making my coffee in the morning, let alone very dangerous for anyone in the near vicinity of an non-caffeinated me.  What else?  Oh, yea..I NEVER go into a meeting without an escape plan, even if I don't NEED one...and that escape plan is NEVER last minute.  It has much forethought and planned strategy. So, you see, I don't save all things for the last minute.  But, when I do...I would caution you to steer clear of my frenzied progress because sometimes it can get kinda scary for the fainthearted. 

“Never put off till tomorrow what may be done day after tomorrow just as well". - Mark Twain (http://www.goodreads.com/quotes/tag/procrastination)
“You can't just turn on creativity like a faucet. You have to be in the right mood. What mood is that? Last-minute panic.” - Bill Watterson (http://www.goodreads.com/quotes/tag/procrastination)