I wanted to start out the week by rescheduling the doctor and hair appointments that I cancelled over a week ago. I just couldn’t seem to make it to them. It’s the middle of the week and I still haven’t called. Those calls will go from my To Do list today to my To Do list tomorrow. There is a good chance they will be on my To Do list next week.
Some things will end up on my list for several months. Like painting my bedroom closet. I’ve tried. I’ve emptied my closet and washed and scrubbed, all in preparation for painting but that final stage eludes me, and everything eventually gets put back in.
What can I say? I’m a procrastinator.
If it weren’t for the last minute, I would get nothing done; my life on perpetual HOLD. Things that I find boring, I break down into parts. Like the grocery shopping. I realize this is a huge waste of time, energy and gas but I just can’t get through the grocery list before I have to leave the store. I return the next day and get the non-essentials. This drives my family crazy.
In fairness, if a major assignment or project is due, I will wait till the last minute, when the adrenaline kicks in, work at a dizzying pace and have it all completed. It’s worked for years but some days I wonder if I’m doomed to this lifestyle forever?
Sometimes, I think procrastination is not such a bad thing, which is largely ignored by the “procrastination equals no self discipline crowd.” Some decisions I put off until I’m forced to make them. Usually, by the time they are made, my sixth sense has kicked in enough to make it the right decision. Or putting off on one decision has opened up a door for another better opportunity to present itself.
I’m going to try to make a few changes and get better at this. Studies show that distant goals have little motivation for people like me, so I’m trying to make my goals real and in the moment. And if I’m going to procrastinate, I’m not going to beat myself up and feel guilty. I like doing what I do best, which is sometimes absolutely nothing.