The hidden powers of procrastination

DH’s motto was “Procrastinate Now!* and DGD1 has inherited this trait. I think it stays with you for life and there is no known cure.

No.
Because I hate having a niggle of something that has to be done in my head.

“Procrastination is the thief of time”.

I read an article years ago in the Guardian that resonated. It was by Oliver Burkeman. He used to write a weekly column called something like “This Will Change Your Life”.

Basically the premise of this particular article that resonated with me (and our eldest daughter Procrastinator in Chief) was that it’s no good just waiting and hoping for the urge to do a task to appear. It won’t.

The only way daft as it sounds he said is to Just Start It.

Motivation follows.
Not the other way round!

Like Babs03, I always decided I just had to clean the oven or clear out the cupboard under the stairs instead of getting on with a Uni assignment. Jobs that normally would be way down my list of "things I really want to do".

I have spent since Monday of this week staring at a large empty box that needed to go in the garage telling myself I'll just do this...or that. I finally did it today - it must have taken all of 2 minutes, if that.

Oh how I enjoy a good bout of procrastination.

Oh yes, the house always gets a good clean before I start the Tax Return. Or MrJ benefits by me doing some baking.

This year I did it in December and paid 5th January. Still had a statement last week saying I needed to pay the money owed!

Same every quarter when the VAT return is due

Yes I do this. When at Uni I was a real eleventh hour student, I would end up having to pull all nighters to meet deadlines or to cram for exams. If is something we don’t like to do I think we just go into denial until we can’t possibly ignore what has been pending for weeks or months.