There are times when motivation to see results is enough to get me to do the things I need to do, like dishes, or cooking for my kids so they don’t starve (okay, most of that is complaining, but whatever), or writing something so other people can read it. But other times, procrastination has a louder voice in my head. Facebook taunts me to see what the next thing on my newsfeed will be, and all the while procrastination is screaming, “Make me! Make me sweep the floor!” like an errant toddler.
Because really, procrastination is like a stubborn child. Think about it. It does what IT wants to do, not what’s gotta be done. It only cares about itself. It’s greedy and doesn’t like to share us with its grown-up counterpart, Responsibility.
It’s no wonder we need nice, shiny things to keep us motivated a lot of the time. In our everyday lives, when all is well and we’re stuck in our daily routines, something shiny is what we look forward to. To reach for. It’s no wonder I get more writing done during NaNoWriMo, what with that lovely graph to reach the top of. Something you might be able to relate to as a blogger, if you’re not an author, is the stats page. Who doesn’t want to get to the next level? Get more views than the year before? (Yes, I know some of you don’t pay attention to stats. Weirdos.) Goals. We all need goals. Otherwise, life is static.
So I’m off to do something I’m supposed to do. And not feed the screaming toddler. (Procrastination–I don’t mean my kids.)
Stream of Consciousness Saturday is brought to you by the letters “S,” “O,” and “C,” and by the Procrastination Television Network. Come and play! Everything’s A-OK! 😉 https://lindaghill.com/2017/09/08/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-sept-917/ Click the link and join in!
September 15, 2017 at 11:54 pm
I’ve recently discovered time blocking. Now, when I get up, before I do my journaling and meditation (I’ve been doing those for about a year and a half), I create a day map – two hour blocks of time, each with a heading and a list of several things I can do in that category. I don’t usually finish everything, and sometimes I go off-map (life still happens!), but I’m seeing my priorities more clearly, and I’m accomplishing more overall than I did before I began this system last month.
Sometimes my shiny is a new and improved way of looking at things.
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September 16, 2017 at 10:34 am
Indeed it can be! I’ll have to look into this time blocking thing. I’m not sure I have the discipline to stick with it, but it’s wonderful how it’s working out for you. Thanks for the suggestion, Shan!
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September 16, 2017 at 1:12 pm
The idea is that if you can aim for 85%, you can do amazing things. My problem is, and has been, that I try to do more than is physically possible, and then I flounder. When I see it written out this way, I can see when I’m asking the impossible of myself. That helps. =)
Whether it would work for you, only you can tell. Like everything else, it’s not one size fits all! =)
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September 10, 2017 at 4:35 pm
Hi, my name is Jami and I’m a Facebook addict.
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September 10, 2017 at 5:03 pm
*all together now* Hi Jami. 😉
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September 10, 2017 at 8:41 am
I procrastination well, it’s always nipping at my ear. 💜💗
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September 10, 2017 at 10:14 am
Very persistent, isn’t it? ❤
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September 10, 2017 at 11:41 am
It’s a bugger!! 😊💜 Oh! Did I just say bugger…. Well I meant bugger 😱🤗💜
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September 10, 2017 at 12:44 pm
Bugger bugger bugger! 😉 😀 ❤
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September 10, 2017 at 1:49 pm
Yes bugger 😱 booo!
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September 10, 2017 at 8:18 am
“Yes, I know some of you don’t pay attention to stats. Weirdos.”
I plan to stop looking at them…at some point.
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September 10, 2017 at 10:14 am
Haha! Yeah, I keep saying the same thing. 🙂
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September 9, 2017 at 10:51 pm
Well said, Linda. You get a standing O from me. Describes me to a T! Damn procrastination! 👏🏼🙌🏼😊
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September 10, 2017 at 10:17 am
Thank you, Helen. 😀 Yep, it really gets the better of us sometimes, doesn’t it?
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September 10, 2017 at 10:25 am
Yes it does. 😉
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September 9, 2017 at 10:34 pm
Valid. I love having a shiny to look forward to. There aren’t always shinies though, and then I have to settle for a job well done, maybe a lil bath and some hot tea. Or nah, I’ll just play more Scrabble…
Some days no amount of shiny will do it though. Those days are bleh.
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September 10, 2017 at 10:18 am
🙂
I had to stop playing FB games altogether. What a time suck!
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September 9, 2017 at 10:23 pm
How bizarre that procrastination is such a huge part of our personality in today’s world. It’s as if our day to day life is just a waste and we’re trying to achieve something else that we constantly struggle with. Brains behave weird.
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September 10, 2017 at 10:20 am
They do. I’ve started whispering under my breath, “I must hate myself” every time I open Facebook. But there’s always that one person out there who needs support… more than I do.
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September 9, 2017 at 10:15 pm
I know what procrastination means to me! I sometimes just make excuses!
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September 10, 2017 at 10:20 am
Yep, sometimes it’s just that simple. 😛
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September 10, 2017 at 10:32 pm
Yes, I make a to do list every day. Anything that is not checked off will be repeated until done, kind of a reminder as well as put pressure on myself!! It works for me…….
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