I am a professional procrastinator...I'm not sure why I feel the need to announce it like I just had a new revelation, because I am pretty sure that I've really never denied that fact. I wait until the last possible minute to do things, and I think I work best under those situations. In fact, sometimes I wonder if I'd ever accomplish anything if it weren't for the stress induced adrenaline that is produced when a deadline rapidly approaches. When I was in school I never did homework ahead of time, and I would venture to estimate that I started 99% of my projects and papers with just barely enough time left to complete them...even if I had all the free time in the world leading up to the due date. If I have housework to do before someone is coming over, I manage to leave just enough time to get it done so that I am scrambling to complete things right up until company is walking in my door. I can't even tell you how many times I stopped at the grocery to pick up snacks on the way to take Jack to school last year when he was snack helper because I put it off the day before until it was too late to go. If I am leaving on an early morning trip, packing is started late the night before and carried on until the wee hours of the morning. Bret has many times said "it wouldn't be a vacation without you staying up all night the night before packing." He really couldn't be more accurate.
Each time I have something to do I give myself the talk about how I am going to be super prepared this time, and that I am going to get things done early. All the while I know the reality is that there isn't a chance in hell that I will actually follow through with that. If I have to be somewhere, I'll be there, on time even, but it will only happen because of a last minute panic attack and desperate attempt to do 5000 things at the last minute.
I plan for things, don't get me wrong. I like to know what is ahead of me, and I totally have a calender right next to my desk with important dates and upcoming events carefully marked. I just don't do anything about those things until, say, the day before it is going to happen. We made the decision two months ago to have Thanksgiving at our house and then let people know. I found great entertainment in that one of the first responses I got was someone asking what they could bring...my answer of course, was that I had no idea. No matter how hard I try, my mind just doesn't work that way. I have hosted Thanksgiving once before and literally called my mom about 10 times while I was at the grocery the day before to discuss with her what items I needed to get (and yes, I am pretty certain my issue with procrastination is an inherited trait because I know my mom saw nothing abnormal about that phone call.) That being said, we had a fabulous meal and it was hands down The.Best.Thanksgiving.Ever.
Don't let this blog stop you from asking me for help or to do something with you. You really don't have to worry about me. I'll get things done...but with not a minute to spare. :)
What it all boils down to is that I think I am finally coming around to the idea that this is just the way I am. There really is no point in even telling myself that things will be different because I know that isn't the case. Actually, maybe I'll start working on it...tomorrow?
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