Ah, procrastination, thy name is (insert name here).
What is it about some human beings that no matter what the deadline or the importance (e.g. tax returns) of the paperwork we can always find something to distract us from our task? It’s not that we don’t enjoy the task once we set to it (except tax returns), so why do we (read, ‘I’) do it?
I kid myself I have a routine, y’know the type… read email first, visit bookmarked websites for industry news and other author news/blogs etc. then read the online newspaper to see what’s happening in my country and overseas. Theoretically, after covering those things I’m ready to start work, but I don’t. Yesterday I was totally out of routine. I had to get up about an hour and a half earlier than normal and I hit each of my ‘routine’ things long before the time I would normally get up in the morning. Hence, I actually started work far earlier than normal and colour me amazed when I achieved everything I’d set out to do for the day.
Which leaves me asking the question–at what point does routine become procrastination, and at what point does procrastination become routine?
Excellent question 99.
I have no answer except to add that I can procrastinate by spending an inordinate amount of time wondering if I am actually procrastinating.
Kinda makes you dizzy after a while!
Comment by Shar — 2 May, 2007 @ 9:49 am
Oh, Shar, I so hear you on that one. Mind you, I managed to beat the P-Bug yesterday and get the papers prepared for the accountant and the GST return away to IRD. And while I should be starting a new ms today I’m surfing accommodation sites in Wanganui! LOL! I haven’t even done all my routine surfing yet. Looks like a long day.
Comment by Yvonne Lindsay — 2 May, 2007 @ 10:02 pm
The trick with income tax is to keep it easy then it doesn’t seem like such a big job. Like me the only income I have to declare is my disablity and the only thing I can claim is rent.
Comment by Christa — 3 May, 2007 @ 4:39 pm
Good point, Christa.
Why is it, though, that the words ‘easy’ and ‘income tax’ don’t necessarily fall in the same sentence all the time. Yes, it would be easy to allow my accountant to handle everything, but definitely expensive. For me getting things in order on a six monthly basis isn’t, in reality, as much of a pain in the neck as I allow it to become in my own mind. Once I actually sit down and do it, things generally fall into place (and balance!)
Comment by yvonnelindsay — 3 May, 2007 @ 9:21 pm
Yvonne,
No answer from here, but if you find out a sure-fire way to beat the P-bug (other than terror when you have no time left to get the job done), do let me know!
Annie
Comment by Annie West — 5 May, 2007 @ 9:03 pm
Yes, Annie, that terror is a serious motivator. Maybe that’s the key. Be so terrorised by deadlines that everything gets done anyway.
Comment by yvonnelindsay — 6 May, 2007 @ 1:52 am