For most of my life, I've wanted to become an author. I would dream about it. I would doodle and jot notes. I would plan for it. My book remained unwritten. I became, by laziness and default, a procrastinator.
That's not the title that I wanted.
Procrastination spills into other parts of my life. For example, it's the time of the year when I collect donations for the school auction. I know it's for a good cause, but I dread this particular project every year. I just seem to put it off. I like talking to people, so I find myself examining the why of procrastination. Why am I not getting it done?
Notice the five tick marks next to the reminder to do the auction errands.
The solutions to these procrastination problems are surprisingly simple. In both cases, the problem was not the lazy. Instead, the problem was that I didn't have the right tools for the job.
So I got together my planner and some supplies and fixed my lazy.
For the book, I got involved in Nanowrimo, got a net book and jump drive that I can easily slip into my purse, and started writing.
For the auction, I realized that when I was stuck when out running errands because I didn't have the addresses and forms for the soliciting with me. So I made a folder and put it in my car.
Notice that I wasn't procrastinating because I didn't want to do the tasks. I was delaying getting the tasks done because I was not prepared to do the task. I just needed the right tools for each job.
If you are procrastinating because you truly don't want to do something, either do it anyway (like paying your taxes), delete it (don't apply for that job that you know isn't an improvement on your current career), or delegate it (yes, you can pay a high school kid to sweep your house).
But if you can't do the task because you don't have the right tools, don't assume you are lazy. That's a different - and easily solved - situation.
Now, let's see if I can become a published author in my 30s. 364 days to go.
Etcetera.
6 comments:
Oh lady! Happy birthday!! Another lovely post. I saw identify myself with it. But that is a long story and problem solved: I got my tools with me. I am looking forward to know about your book.
Happy birthday
Happy birthday! I'm excited to read your book when you get it published. You have a wonderful writing style and great sense of humor. Thanks for pointing out that sometimes it takes a bit of analysis and the right tools to get a job done, not simply more will power.
Have a very happy birthday! Darn, now I wish I had made it to the post office earlier in the week. :/
Wow! I was born 39 years ago on Jan.17th as well. crazy cool. Maybe we waited together in the same place same time while waiting to be born. ;)
Hope you have a great birthday! I've been following your blog for a few weeks now after finally getting back to a paper planner to get my life organized. Love your daily insights into using the planner. As an author myself (and 40 was the year I got serious, btw!) just write everyday and keep moving forward! Good luck!
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