Procrastination … it’s making me wait
Apr 11th 2007
Karen RoseMy Life As A Plebe
Do you remember that Carly Simon song “Anticipation”? They used it as the ketchup theme song - “Anticipaaaation, it’s keepin’ you wa-a-a-iting.” In my head the lyrics go “Procrastination - it’s makin’ me wait.” It works with the music. Try it. You’ll see I’m right.
I am the Procrastination Queen. Yes, you may all bow now. Or later. Whatever. Combined with my tendency to be easily distractable, this is problematic. Enter anything I don’t want to do (or am scared to do) into the equation and it’s just plain lethal.
Cleaning, paperwork, organization (I like the concept, just not the delivery), income taxes (OY!) - all these noble undertakings fall prey to my awesome powers of procrastination. Luckily I tend to work best under pressure, so procrastination is a … job skill. Yeah. That’s the ticket!
I think a lot of people have this problem, um, I mean job skill. I submit the following as proof: 
The small print says: Hard work often pays off over time, but laziness always pays off now.
This one’s small print says: Never put off until tomorrow what you can put off altogether.
Surely these are words to live by …
There is a side benefit of being the Procrastination Queen - I’m able to see through my kids’ sad little attempts at procrastination. I just shake my head. So lame. I’ve seen them all. I’ve DONE them all. My poor darlings don’t have a chance. Bwahahahaha. Denial of their inalienable rights to procrastination will probably end them up on Oprah or Dr. Phil, but so be it.
So do you procrastinate or are you one of those detestable get-it-done-early types? What kinds of things do you procrastinate?
41 Comments »
41 Responses to “Procrastination … it’s making me wait”
Ann in IL on 11 Apr 2007 at 4:36 am #
Well, right now, I’m procrastinating going to work. I always think I’ll get up early and go in to get something done before everyone else comes in - and here I sit - EVERY morning. Guess that’s why I’ve developed such a great routine of accomplishing everything at the last minute. I literally finish cleaning the house as company pulls in the drive.
Stacy ~ on 11 Apr 2007 at 5:25 am #
Exactly Ann, it’s the blogging and ‘net surfing that does it LOL. Nah, if it weren’t that, it would be something else.
I always put off the things I don’t enjoy doing, like cleaning. It would be so much easier to just say “hey, get it done then it’s over with and you can go back to doing what you really want to do”, but it doesn’t work that way. And things like cleaning are never-ending, so it makes it even harder.
I have a friend who cleans when she’s upset, and I know someone who dust busts the bushes outside their house. I want a little bit of that. Not a lot, but enough to motivate me.
Karen Rose on 11 Apr 2007 at 6:09 am #
Stacy, the Procrastination Queen royally declares your friends be sent to her palace (house) for some upset-cleaning. I wish I were like that. When I’m upset I cry and eat chocolate.
Ann - you and me both. I’ve nearly greeted my guests with a toilet brush in my hand. I could have said it was my royal sceptre, but I think they would have hauled me away in a straightjacket.
Sandi on 11 Apr 2007 at 7:45 am #
My son has a t-shirt that says:
The Top 10 Reasons I procrastinate:
1)
and then if I remember correctly there are no more numbers.
Sandi
Susan K on 11 Apr 2007 at 8:12 am #
I procrastinate cleaning, bill paying, paperwork, pretty much anything I don’t want to do. The one thing I refuse to procrastinate on, though, is my wedding plans. When I find myself trying to procrastinate I just remember my best friends wedding and how on the night before and the morning off the wedding she was still running around picking up stuff and putting things together. The bouquets were literally made minutes before the ceremony started. (Her sister made them.) Not me. My wedding is exactly one year from tomorrow and I already have the place for the ceremony and reception (they do all the catering, and drinks), the DJ, the photographer, last night we ordered our wedding bands (they were on sale) and next weekend my bridesmaids are going to get their dresses (also a sale). I think I’m doing pretty good at not procrastinating, though.
Karen Hawkins on 11 Apr 2007 at 8:18 am #
I never procrastin–ZAP!
(due to being hit by a very large bolt of lightning, Karen is excused from answering the rest of this conversation)
terrio on 11 Apr 2007 at 8:35 am #
I procrastinate everything. I inherited the gene from my mother and luckily I do not have the advanced case that she does but it’s still not good. Right now the worst part is that I’m taking online classes. I know that I have until midnight on Sunday night to get my work done for the week. And I know that if I get it done during the week that I can enjoy my weekend. Sooooo, when do I do my homework? Sunday night. Natch!
Julia London on 11 Apr 2007 at 8:57 am #
email, blogging, tv, dog walking, swimming, trips to Starbucks (god forbid she should buy some coffee for the house), reading, more email….SIGH
ladydawgfan on 11 Apr 2007 at 9:41 am #
Well, if KR is the Procrastination Queen, then I am, at the very least, one of her Ladies in Waiting! I could give lessons on procrastination - I have it down to a fine art!!
Example: many of my books are in stacks in my br. Why? Because the bookcases that I bought LAST FALL are still in the garage waiting for me to put them together!! Something always seems to take the time that I set aside for this task.
The bookcases are next to my new computer desk, also still in its box. An old drafting table is serving for a desk now, but the new one is nicer and roomier. Oh, well. One of these days . . .
I need to join Procrastinators Anonymous. Maybe I’ll check into that next week . . .
Karen Rose on 11 Apr 2007 at 10:17 am #
Chuckling, ladydawgfan
Please be my lady-in-waiting. Together we can elevate procrastination to new heights. Maybe even rule the world!
Terrio, gotcha on the online classes. When I was a high school teacher I took classes up at the university for my certification. I’d always put the homework off to the last minute. I found it hard to fuss at my high schoolers for doing the same. But fuss I did. I hate to see them developing my bad habits!
SusanK, good for you! I hope your wedding is gorgeous! Go girl!
KarenH, are you okay now? Zeus’s lightning bolts hurt like heck. I know this from experience. I’m a naughty goddess.
Okay, take a look at this video, but be sure that y’all come on back: http://blip.tv/file/104105 . Notes: The class for which she has an exam has an EDU prefix. That means it’s an education class and she’s studying to be a teacher! Cracked me up. Also the laundry is so ME. Except she is much skinnier than me. But that is another blog
Karen Rose on 11 Apr 2007 at 10:29 am #
Julia, trips to Starbucks is a whole ‘nother blog, too.
dbrown3400 on 11 Apr 2007 at 11:27 am #
Karen Rose, mine is laundry. I’ve purchased new socks, underware and clothing to avoid doing laundry. Where I live now I have to travel 34 stairs in one direction to get to the laundry room and can pick up the undies where I work. To me it’s a no brainer.
Like Ann, I put off going to work or at least have it down to a science. I walk through the Mickey Ds and grab an iced tea, sit and read a Goddess book and time it so I can clock in precisely on time.
Tick, tick, tick. . . is it April 17 yet? Oops, I’m not Julia London.
Donna
anneriailin on 11 Apr 2007 at 11:30 am #
Me!! Oh, Me!! I’m a procrastinator too!! I am always putting things off until the absolute last minute. Why do things early when you can rush around at the absolute last minute and slide in right at the deadline?!?
SuzyQ on 11 Apr 2007 at 11:33 am #
I am sooooooo glad I am not alone. I put off everything until the last minute. Isn’t it tax time soon???? Yeah, I had better start that, but I have a few more days. . .
KarenR, the greeting guests with the toilet brush cracked me up. I am the same way. I figure why spend all that time cleaning when soon as I walk out of the room, the kids have made a mess of it again. I swear my house looks like Toys R Us exploded!
cookeemama on 11 Apr 2007 at 11:39 am #
Count me in as a Starbucks addict. Never was until certain relative-like grandchildren became baristas. Now they experiment on me.
Karen R. the video was so funny. I think the poor girl could use a few more sandwiches tho. And she certainly doesn’t have to worry about mowing if that’s her back yard.
Guess I should make the bed now. But I’ll be getting back in soon so maybe not.
Julia London on 11 Apr 2007 at 11:41 am #
That’s okay Donna — feel free to channel me and watch that clock!
My husband is the WORST procrastinator. He drives me nuts. But I have finally gotten wise to him — I tell him my mother is coming over, and could he please fix that screen? For some reason, threatened with my mother or my father gets him to re-organize his priority list, LOL
cookeemama on 11 Apr 2007 at 11:41 am #
How odd. I just noticed the time stamp on my previous post is 11:30am. But I wrote it at 12:30pm EDT. Hmm I wonder Zeus forgot to switch the clock on Mt. Olympus?
Sabrina Jeffries on 11 Apr 2007 at 11:53 am #
There’s a reason we call freecell and spider solitaire “writing avoidance.” Because they’re yet another form of procrastination. Which is why I have no computer games on my laptop. At all. Oh, how I miss them.
But at least I get my pages done. When I’m not blogging, surfing, or answering e-mail, that is.
Suzanne Enoch on 11 Apr 2007 at 12:04 pm #
I was going to comment earlier, but…
Karen Rose on 11 Apr 2007 at 12:48 pm #
When I was a little gir, my mother sewed and she used to say, “I’d rather make a whole garment than sew one hem.” I never understood what she meant till I became a grown-up. I do finish most projects, but it’s not always a pleasant experience for all.
Glad you liked the video, cookiemama! And as for making the bed, that’s one of my BEST procrastination techniques. Used to drive my mother INSANE. My other one was letting the dishes “soak.” Three days later they were still soaking and my mother would be ripping her hair out. My kids try that now and I just scoff.
FilmPhan on 11 Apr 2007 at 2:48 pm #
Right now I’m procrastinating on doing my homework. I have 4 more weeks of classes. And I am just thinking that is plenty of time to get all my projects done and study for finals. I’m sure in 2 more weeks I won’t be sleeping a wink. I get chills just thinking about how I am actually going to get all of this done. I like the end of the semester but it’s coming a wee bit fast for my tastes.
Since you’re goddesses here, can you possibly zap me into the future with all the work and studying already done? I’d really appreciate it.
gannon on 11 Apr 2007 at 2:50 pm #
Karen, since you are the queen, I’ll join ladydawgfan as a lady-in-waiting, or maybe even a princess. It seems I’m in good company with my procrastination problem. If I can put off a task, I will, for as long as possible. I do seem to work better under pressure, but every time I wait to complete some task, I swear that next time I won’t wait until the last minute. Yeah, right!
cail on 11 Apr 2007 at 3:02 pm #
you guys are going to hate me, but i’m the complete opposite! I’m that annoying girl in class that handed in the 25 page paper a week early. (ok, so it was 26 pages and 2 weeks early and that was 2 years ago!)
I just hate having things hanging over my head that I feel obliged to do.
Sorry!
Suzanne Enoch on 11 Apr 2007 at 3:35 pm #
Where was I? Oh, look, a bird. Hm? Oh, yes. Procrastination. I tend to get the big jobs taken care of, but put off the little ones forever. So I’ll get a book turned in on time, but neglect to pay my cable bill until it gets turned off and I have to pay the re-activation fee.
Judy F on 11 Apr 2007 at 4:07 pm #
I think I need to apply for a lady in waiting job… I have stuff here by my computer I brought home from work to work on I think in Jan, its still there. I have reviews I need to get to but laying on the couch seems like a better deal. I have some mending to do but its winter stuff and if I hold off long enough I wont need to do it till next winter.
Instead of fixing dinner at home a drive thru seems like a better idea.
Karen I am a firm believer in letting things soak for days. It would drive my sister insane. LOL
RachelG on 11 Apr 2007 at 4:13 pm #
Big time procrastinator with a very short attention span. Which means that I . . . Shoot, I forgot what I was going to say.
Karen Rose on 11 Apr 2007 at 4:19 pm #
Judy F - anything that drives a sister insane is good in my book!
FilmPhan - No future-zapping for you. We had to do our homework and suffered through it, so why should you be any different? Now, if you had a really GOOD reason, like wanting to bet on the lottery or major league baseball, that would be fine.
Cail - I know people like you … grumble, grumble. You can get things done early as long as you’re not smug about it. You get smug, you’re on your own, chickie. I wouldn’t be struttin’ your stuff round Mt. Olympus after dark…
Karen Rose on 11 Apr 2007 at 4:20 pm #
oh, btw, don’t tell my sister I said that, okay? She’s bigger than me.
Nicole Jordan on 11 Apr 2007 at 4:49 pm #
Definitely e-mail, bboards and blogs! Don’t know what I do without them, lol. I still wouldn’t get my work done and I’d have a lot less fun.
NicoleJ
Brandy on 11 Apr 2007 at 5:10 pm #
I’m a bit of both. When it comes to money, taxes, bills, etc. I pay them/do them on time, if not early. When it comes to buying books, early and right on time for release date purchase.
But, when it comes to cleaning my bathrooms……..ugh! I hate cleaning them. With a passion! When it also comes to dealing with the nutso In-Laws……again pracrastination.
Kelly Ann on 11 Apr 2007 at 7:32 pm #
My mother was obnoxiously efficient (it drove me nuts) so I strive to be the opposite
I like to get some things done early (important things like reading a new book, work and school stuff), but things like dishes and putting away laundry - that is last on my list. I think my main problem is that I have so many things to do I forget the import things, like paying those bills. I swear I just paid them and then I argue with the electric company or phone company. Oh well, maybe next month!
.
MizMacgyver on 11 Apr 2007 at 7:58 pm #
I could be a lady-in-waiting, it is so, so nice to know I am not alone. Basically, if it involves housework, laundry, or mowing grass. (Yes, my neighbors all hate me) it is all I can do to keep things just this side of decent. Now if we are talking about buying new Goddess Books, or reading blogs, or email about reading. I am there in a heart beat. The bills, well, I am not late. I am never early, but I am not late, don’t like sitting in the cold and the dark and I can’t read that way.
dbrown3400 on 11 Apr 2007 at 8:40 pm #
I used to soak my dishes but solved the problem by only using one of each item again and again and again. When I come home from work the next day I take what I need for that meal and only have those things to wash when I’m finished. Occasionally, I’ll leave a couple things in the sink with a little water and soap, but that’s not really soaking, is it?
Donna
elsiehogarth on 12 Apr 2007 at 9:44 am #
I leave everything to the last minute because I work better under pressure. I have my cousin’s wedding, this weekend, and I’m the Wedding Planner/decorator/florist etc. (Thank God for all my Colin Cowie, Preston Bailey & David Tutera books). In the only thing that I am organized is that I have had all the materials boxed/crated, for the last 2 months, and ready to go with me to the Reception location. Once I get to the location, I will see what I will use to transform the place.
miesa on 12 Apr 2007 at 10:05 am #
I’m with Brandy. If it relates to bills, I get em done early and make sure they stay outta my way the rest of the month. If it’s cleaning, I’m not doing it unless there’s a darn good reason. I live alone and love my bad habits!
Dishes soaking for days? Yes! Laundry scattered around and waiting to be put away? Of course! Hey, at least the clothes are clean.
TheNightPoet on 12 Apr 2007 at 4:57 pm #
I am one of the biggest procrastinators out there! I procrastinate on homework, getting stuff done pertaining to school and other stuff I can’t think of right now. There are times I procrastinate so long and then that’s when the lists that Nicole made a topic about come out. Because I procrastinate so long, I get stressed out and have to make lists in order to get myself back into control and to remind myself that I have to do this or that now and mark it off my list. Sometimes I hate how I procrastinate, but oh well, what can you do, right? lol
Andrea
Kasey on 13 Apr 2007 at 2:27 pm #
How is this for procrastination….I am answering this two days late. But seriously, I am a big procrasinator with homework. I always am up doing it the night before. I have a big paper due on Monday and my plan is to work on it this weekend. I’ll probably get it done late Sunday night. I’ve already made plans to go see the movie Blades of Glory tomorrow….so there is one afternoon wasted. Plus I need to clearn the bathroom and work on my TBR pile. Hopefully the paper gets done before Monday…..
TheNightPoet on 14 Apr 2007 at 9:54 pm #
Good luck Kasey! I hope the paper goes smoothly for you.
Andrea
Kasey on 14 Apr 2007 at 10:54 pm #
Thanks Andrea!
TheNightPoet on 15 Apr 2007 at 11:09 pm #
Your welcome!
Lisa H on 27 Sep 2007 at 9:47 am #
I am almost afraid to answer this blog, but no, I am not a procrastinator.
I am the opposite, a workaholic who gets depressed when things like illness, children and sleep dare to interfere with my to do list.
It seems like if you came to my house you would find it in complete and utter order, but alas, no way. I take on so much, I rarely get it all done, at least not on the same day.
When I get writer’s block, I don’t consider that procrastination, so I sit and force myself to think where this plot is next going, and sometimes it takes me a week, but eventually I get it and go back to my regular schedule.