I decided to do a little research on the topic of procrastination. My Uncle Tom prompted my curiosity by telling me, “The only thing I can see that you’re doing wrong is worrying about it! The ol’ idiom…“if it weren't for the last minute, I wouldn't get anything done” is a good one! I like to say I do my best work under deadline pressure. Another way to look at it is that our subconscious mind, has such high confidence in our ability and talent to get’er done in the last moments that it wins rock, paper, scissors over our conscious mind every time!”
Although, I do like the way he thinks because it sure makes me feel like at least I am not alone, it doesn’t take away from the fact that I know my behavior is wrong and self destructive.
One of the articles I read defines a chronic procrastinators as those who don’t pay bills on time, miss out on opportunities to cash in rebates, wait until Christmas eve to Christmas shop, file income tax returns in the nick of time or even late. Chronic procrastinators find ways to distract themselves from completing tasks they know need to be done.
Why do we do this to ourselves? One of the experts said procrastinators do so because the people around them accept them for who they are, we are too nice a society to call out a procrastinator on their excuses.
What about those, like me, who don’t have an excuse? I just don’t like paying my bills, I don’t like working on taxes, I don’t like spending money on Christmas, I don’t like doing homework, I don’t like putting something in an envelope and taking it to the mailbox to get that rebate sent in on time. That is why I procrastinate, I just don’t want to. Simple.
I read a little further and it brought me back to when I was a kid living at home and I had to giggle a little. The experts say procrastination can also be a form of rebellion. It is also said having a harsh controlling father keeps children from developing the ability to regulate themselves, that was not the case at my house. Dad was far from controlling, he allowed my sister and I to live and learn. Now, I don’t remember how my mornings were in elementary or grade school but I clearly remember a typical school day in high school. Every morning I would be awaken by my mom, “Kristi, it’s time to get up, it’s six o’clock.” I would groan, “Okaaaayyy”. Mom would close the door and come back five minutes later. “Kristi Lyn, it’s six o’ five, time to get up.” I would groan, “mmmm.” The third time she would come in and tell me what time it was I would completely ignore her and pretend like I was sleeping. I was not going to get out of bed. I was rebelling, I would lay in that bed until she gave up and then I would get up. On my own terms. Even though I knew I was going to be late for school. That, I believe was the beginning to my life as a chronic procrastinator. I do not like anyone telling me what to do and when to do it. I’m a rebel (said to myself as I giggle).
The article goes into further detail stating there are three basic types of procrastinators: Thrill seekers, those who wait to the last minute for the euphoric rush. Avoiders, those who avoid for the fear of failure or even the fear of success. Decisional procrastinators, those who cannot make a decision. Which category do you fall under?
