Yes, this diary is about procrastination. I was going to write about three very important things tonight, but I just…couldn’t….remember that third one. And Ron Paul wasn’t around to consult.
No, Rick Perry jokes aside (even as a non-native Texan who had nothing to do with Texas at the time of Perry’s election, I feel compelled to apologize to the rest of the country for him), this diary about procrastination is the result of, well, procrastination. Not procrastination when it comes to writing this diary, but procrastination when it comes to everything else. Rather than procrastinate, let’s get the obligatory word from our sponsor out of the way right now.
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I don’t know what happened. I used to be the opposite of a procrastinator. But I guess sometime during my undergraduate career, which I swear I spent more time drunk and partying than studying or writing papers, my habits changed (although, in my defense, I did graduate with a 4.0, so lay off).
Now, just about everything waits until the last minute. This past week, I had a 25-page research paper and a 15-page historiographical essay due. Plus I had to read and provide in-class commentary on a classmate’s paper on Monday. Plus I had to do my normal reading (two books) and co-lead a class discussion on Tuesday on “sexual politics in the age of consensus.” It was the week from hell. So, naturally, I put everything off. Makes sense, right?
Here’s how my week unfolded. On Monday, when my research paper was due, I finished the last 10 pages of it. Then I read my classmate’s paper and typed up a page of comments in about an hour, and managed not only not to sound like an idiot in class, but to give fairly helpful commentary. The next day, I read the last 150 pages of the book I had to lead a discussion on that evening. Then, within an hour, I put together an outline of a class discussion, went to class, and somehow managed to co-lead (arguably, but based on what I heard) one of the best discussions we’ve had all semester (then again, of course it was, any class discussion involving gay sex is destined for success). On Wednesday, I started reading the 250-page book I had to have done by that evening. Since I slept through two alarms and woke up three hours late, I gave up on actually reading it, and I ended up skimming. I went to class and managed to say something quite insightful right off the bat, but the insightfulness was overshadowed by the fact that I called the author, whose first name was Edward, “she” repeatedly. Yesterday, nothing was due, so I slept late, caught up on my TV shows, and did some reading, when I could have been working on my 15-page historiographical essay. Today, the day my historiographical essay is due, I started and finished the paper, which (if I may say so myself) didn’t turn out so bad.
This is how I live my life. It’s not that I’m lazy or unambitious. It’s just that when I have to do something, especially something I’m not going to particularly enjoy, I wait until the last minute.
In a way, procrastination helps me. It helps me focus on one task for a sustained period of time…because I have to do it right then. And I always end up doing good work at the last minute, even if I do refer to authors by the wrong pronouns every once in a while.
But, of course, life would be so much easier if I just didn’t put things off. I know I wouldn’t have so many stress headaches, and I could probably save a bundle on ibuprofen. I might also be able to have a semi-normal sleep/eating schedule. Clearly, the cons of procrastination outweigh the pros.
I’m working on it. While I’m working on my procrastination problem, I’ll try not to think about that 15-page research paper due in early December that I haven’t started yet…
And it's not just school. Do you know how big my pile of dirty laundry is? Do you have any idea how many dishes are in my sink? Oh well, there's always tomorrow, right?
How do you ward off the demons of procrastination? Or do you? You’re procrastinating right now, aren’t you? Well, before you finish that thing you’ve been meaning to do for the past week as you’ve been browsing YouTube aimlessly, have a look below at the comments other Kossacks have been writing while putting off their work.
Now, On To The Top Comments!
A special thanks to this week's Top Comments contributors!
From lineatus:
These Top Comments are really classic...er, classical. (from Steveningen, with perfect reply from Dumbo)
From Dumbo's absolutely awesome Thursday night classical music series, which is just finishing a three-parter on Beethoven's 7th, focussed on the finale. If you know the finale of the 7th, this comment/response is both hilarious and totally accurate; if you don't know the finale of the 7th, now you know why you should.
From maggiejean:
This comment from from paradise50, I believe, should be a post in and of itself. It's an eyeopener. From J-Town 11-11-11.
From yours truly, Chrislove:
This comment by CatM in OllieGarkey's diary about the violent, dangerous arm-linkers in Berkeley made me laugh.
Finally, Some Top Mojo!
(excluding tip jars)
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