I admit it. I am a procrastinator. Not all the time. Not in all things. But I am never late. It's not the same thing at all. In fact, I'm always on time - even early if I think I might be late. No, I put off doings thing. I push that time boundary as close to the edge as I can.
Most people put off doing things they really don't want to do. And I admit to sometimes doing that. Stuff like housework. Especially housework. Sometimes it's things I even like to do. But mostly it's chores or work imposed on me - not my choice at all. But those things I like to do...what about them? Then it's part of my creative process. I do my best work under pressure. Really. It's no use doing something ahead of time because I'll only second-guess myself at the last minute and re-do everything anyway. It's part of why I can't stick to a theme on this challenge. Nor could I prepare the posts ahead.
I have never liked the quote attributed to Thomas Jefferson: "Never put off until tomorrow, the things that you can do today." I must have heard it a billion times in my life. You see, I was born a procrastinator. It's part of what makes me the person I am. At heart, I'm a risk-taker. Because, make no mistake, procrastination is risky business. The world runs on a time clock. And it doesn't run smoothly. But, to get the maximum thrill out of work that I like or to create a bit of excitement in a boring job, I will leave it until there's just enough time. If nothing goes wrong.
I always work things out in my head, though. By the time I get to the task, I've run through all the scenarios and know exactly which approach will work best. If there are no cracks in the pavement to trip me up, I can usually race to the finish line with time to spare. Although, I am the mother who was usually still sewing, knitting, crafting Christmas gifts VERY early on Christmas morning before Santa Claus was even up. It's just a matter of knowing how long a task will take. Exactly.
The thing about procrastination is that it is often - in my experience - justified. How many times have you been asked to do something only to discover later that it didn't need to be done? Or it will be done but in a different way? I escape all that wasted effort. Brilliant, right?
Phil is a procrastinator and I am the opposite, so we work well together. I nag him and he is grateful for it, ha ha!!!! I do have things worked out in my head way ahead of time just like you.
ReplyDeleteI love your justification for procrastinating. I'm one who swings back and forth with the P word.
ReplyDeleteIt is rather brilliant justification. And hey, if it works for you, go on and procrastinate with abandon!!!!
ReplyDeleteAaah, I put off the boring, stuff, too. Vacuuming? You know what, next week will work just as well.
ReplyDeleteI do need to get to my filing though, or the piles of paper will EAT me.
Knowing how long a task will take..now that's the part I find hard!
ReplyDeleteI procrastinate too, but mostly things I don't like, but I find a list will motivate me to get things done, cos I love crossing them off that list!
great take on Procrastinate! and you've gotten there with each and every blog post so your method must be working!
Join the club. You're not alone because I too am a Procrastinator. We have something that even I can't explain in common though....Being Prompt. I loathe being late, so I'm usually on time. I wish I could say "always" on time but I kinda broke that streak months ago by being either on time or a few minute late.
ReplyDeleteYou see, on time is late to me. One of my friends frequently pokes fun at me for always being too early when I have to go somewhere. If we need to be in the same place at the same time, She say's "I don't have to worry about getting there because I know Nicole is going to be like a half-hour early!"
I think that Jefferson quote is kinda like pop songs on the radio -- it just keeps getting repeated like a broken record, lol. However, I've tried to use that quote as motivation to stop procrastinating all of the time. It still hasn't worked though. Oh well. There's always tomorrow. Ha! :)
~Nicole
Blog: The Madlab Post
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I'm the same way- an on time to early procrastinator. I hate being late. I don't have putting things off. Within reason. I will put them off just so long and then either have to do them or decide against it completely. LOL
ReplyDeleteI find more and more that I avoid the P word. LOL. Not entirely though. ;) Love your justification. blessings ~ tanna
ReplyDeleteJustified Procrastination. I love it. Hey,nice to meet you.
ReplyDeleteI've never been down with the adage to never put off until tomorrow what you can get done today. I'm too busy doing yesterday's stuff that I did put off until tomorrow...which is somehow now today.
ReplyDeleteI am the Queen of Procrastination.
My thoughts exactly.
ReplyDelete