Fa'ana (FF): There has been an unnecessary and inconvenient genetic trait that has been passed on to all of us, miraculously skipping Aunt Lina--and maybe Cessie. Maybe. This is the curse of procrastination. In the years pushing for liberation from my nerve racking quirk, I admitted that I had a problem long ago. It was during my U.S. History exam, junior year when I actually thought, "If you don't know the answer, choose C." I chose C a lot! Coming out of the test feeling mostly embarrassed because I didn't want Mr. H to think I was an idiot--because I wasn't. I just didn't ever study.--I decided then and there, Never procrastinate again!
Well it is seven years later and I still catch myself saying, "Man, I promise I will never ever wait till the last minute again." I'm constantly making that dopey promise every week. Why do I have this irritating foresight? Especially since I'm positive that I will do something tomorrow (or the day after) that will consequently lead to a climatic moment next week when I will kick myself with the same self loathing thoughts of all the"What ifs...?" Yet, in the end I will come back to making the same empty promise to myself, "Seriously, for real. Quit screwin' off!"
Interestingly enough, I think I'm so close to learning my lesson. Honestly. Learning the lesson of, Why you should not be a bum and put things off. The only problem is, in all the opportunities I've had in almost learning it, LUCK has robbed me of the sweet reward in experiencing failure and/or loss. (That exam junior year...I got a 92%. This is the story of my life.)
Now, I would highly recommend not going about life in this manner. Waiting until the last minute, wingin' it, etc., etc. When crunch time comes it's very irresponsible, not to mention uncomfortable emotionally. It can also be mentally draining sitting with the anxieties and haunting thoughts of, "Why can't you just prepare like a"normal" person?!" (Like Aunt Lina) Maybe it's because you secretly hope that LUCK prevails this one last time, and next you "promise" you'll do all the prep work necessary.
Well, as I prepare to get ready for something this Sunday which should have been done two weeks ago, my fingers are hesitantly crossed as I half-heartedly pray, "God, maybe if you're not too busy, please let me learn the harsh lesson of procrastionation. No rush, though."
Well it is seven years later and I still catch myself saying, "Man, I promise I will never ever wait till the last minute again." I'm constantly making that dopey promise every week. Why do I have this irritating foresight? Especially since I'm positive that I will do something tomorrow (or the day after) that will consequently lead to a climatic moment next week when I will kick myself with the same self loathing thoughts of all the"What ifs...?" Yet, in the end I will come back to making the same empty promise to myself, "Seriously, for real. Quit screwin' off!"
Interestingly enough, I think I'm so close to learning my lesson. Honestly. Learning the lesson of, Why you should not be a bum and put things off. The only problem is, in all the opportunities I've had in almost learning it, LUCK has robbed me of the sweet reward in experiencing failure and/or loss. (That exam junior year...I got a 92%. This is the story of my life.)
Now, I would highly recommend not going about life in this manner. Waiting until the last minute, wingin' it, etc., etc. When crunch time comes it's very irresponsible, not to mention uncomfortable emotionally. It can also be mentally draining sitting with the anxieties and haunting thoughts of, "Why can't you just prepare like a"normal" person?!" (Like Aunt Lina) Maybe it's because you secretly hope that LUCK prevails this one last time, and next you "promise" you'll do all the prep work necessary.
Well, as I prepare to get ready for something this Sunday which should have been done two weeks ago, my fingers are hesitantly crossed as I half-heartedly pray, "God, maybe if you're not too busy, please let me learn the harsh lesson of procrastionation. No rush, though."
4 comments:
Keilah(KF): I beg to differ with my sister. I think that I didn't get cursed with this "curse". Sometimes, I choose to wait until the last moment, but in general, I think I do a pretty good job at staying on top of stuff like that. (Except when it came to getting my license) =) hahaha which I still have yet to do. But I do give props for those in my family who do suffer from this "plague"...and that is that when the times get to crunch, the people in my family know how to get it done! No Joke!!! I WOULDN'T LIKE LOL... but seriously, we have some very blessed people in our family, and I think it is a GIFT that we are not only "cursed" with procrastination, but we are "blessed" with the ability to make magic happen when there is a need for it. SO... SISTER...DONT BE TOO HARD ON YOURSELF...OR THOSE IN OUR FAMILY... =) WE HAVE GIFTS AND I THINK WE USE THEM WELL... well. That's me folks!!!
...Get Up...
Keilah
FF: Ummm...sister, I don't know where you have been for the last few days, weeks and current semester...but lets talk about your Shalom homework and study habits.
You're a procrastinator. Own it with me.
It's only a matter of time before our Hail Mary Luck runs out. Blessings don't just end, which again indicates that this is no blessing. And one day...we're going to get BUSTED!!
Keilah(KF): Hmmm... I don't know. I think I'm still running strong! =) Shalom??? PLease!!! I don't procrastinate in there, I just don't really listen because the only thing I need to do in there is memorize the study guide. That's not procrastination, that's what I like to call taking the road "shortest" traveled lol!!! =) I'm just kiddin'...
...Get Up...
Wow K...
In all that you've said, I hope what you ARE NOT saying is that we are talented enough to pull stuff off at the last minute. That is not talent or strength..that is luck and a sure way to burn out. We have been lucky...not blessed.
If there is strength, it is in the GIFT of being able to stay up for days at a time to pull off events because we have to. This family, especially the women, can stay up for HOURS without sleep...then we crash. Lord knows, how many times that has happened.
Being a procrastinator is cool - as long as your procrastination doesn't affect other people. When other people depend on you to do your part then I don't think that it is fair to subject them to one's lack of time management and planning.
Here's what else is true about procrastinators...they are generally late for stuff because they are doing things at the last minute which makes them late for the next thing. It is a vicious cycle and it drags down others with it. Generally, procrastinators don't like to be accountable to other people because they know that they are going to have to be responsible to get their stuff done on time so other people can do their part.
One thing i know to be true about people who procrastinate is that they know themselves very well...and if they've been doing it enough, they know exactly what they are capable of pulling off at the last minute, but it is hell for others who are part of their world. So procrastinate all you wish...just do it when the consequences only affect you. (even though i don't believe that theologically...ie everything you do affects someone else)
it only takes one time- to be unprepared for an important meeting and try to wing it, to be accused of being someone who doesn't value other people because you are late time and again, to be ambarrassed that your lack of planning has resulted in a failed project, or to really let down other people...it only takes one bad experience like that to make you think again about procrastination...but here is the other truth about us. We are nice procrastinators - people like us, they forgive us. But they are talking about us. I know they are.
last thing...I read somewhere that procrastinators are perfectionists. The reason they are always putting things off is that they are afraid to fail so they never start or they start late and always have an excuse as to how they would have done better if they had just started earlier. I don't know about that. i just know that the women in this family, self included, are probably way overcommitted, trying to do too much, please too many and probably, never completely satisfied with any of it. (it couldn've been better if only...)
Post a Comment