Homebodies - Examining the topic of procrastination

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Published on Sunday, January 3, 2016

By Rita Friesen

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Part of my time of study includes self awareness and self assessment. A topic that my supervisors thought might be beneficial for me to examine is the topic of procrastination.  Wonder what they picked up about me?

Nary an assignment has been in arrears. Perhaps the topic came up in casual conversation and they picked up on my concern as to whether I could be guilty of it. I don’t see myself as an adrenaline junky, needing a crisis to act. I just get busy and sometimes forget to do all that I wish or need to do. 

The book that was recommended for me to read was well written, humorous and pointed. “The Procrastinators Handbook – Mastering the Art of Doing It Now” by Rita Emmett. Cover blurb- ‘don’t put off reading this book’ , apt to catch and hold a true procrastinators attention. Careful reading assured me that I am not guilty, although I could easily become so. I understand that many procrastinate completing a task because they are perfectionists, afraid the finished project won’t be perfect, they simply don’t start. Not my problem. I have never been accused of being a perfectionist. Accused of sundry other sins but never that one! I do identify with the fact that time spent dreading a job consumes more time and energy than actually doing the job. Many times, I mentally do and re-do a major clean, almost frightening myself with the scope and finding that after simply starting the job, well, it’s half done. Never was good at math! Too much clutter can also be an indication of a procrastinator. It is at times synonymous with ‘pack rat’. Never know when you will need the odd bits and bobs you keep. Actually, you know you will need it within a week of discarding the item, whatever it is! We get to a certain stage in life when the loving gifts given to us are akin to clutter. If I can’t eat it, read it or use it well, the gift too often becomes clutter. (Right after Christmas there may be some of you that can identify with that!) My clutter is paper, stacks of paper and shelves of books. I have the recommended filing system and am well acquainted with the garbage cans, but the paper is gaining on me. 

A few thoughts from the book for the year ahead:

 If you always do what you’ve always done, you’ll always get what you always got. (anonymous)

Whether you think you can, or think you can’t, you’re right. (Henry Ford)

The three great requirements for a happy life are: something to do, something to love, and something to hope for. (Joseph Addison)

Some of us have great runways already built for us, so if you have one, take off. If you don’t, grab a shovel and build one. (Amelia Earhart.)

And the last one – What you are is God’s gift to you; what you make of yourself is your gift to God. (anonymous)

Happy New Year!