I knew I wanted to write a blog about procrastination… But I kept putting it off.
While pondering different blog topics to write about, I knew that at some point during this semester, I wanted to write about procrastination, since it is something I face quite often. I put it on my list of possible future blog topics to discuss to put a bit more of a positive spin on, and I figured I would get around to it eventually. Well, here I am, knowing I need to write my second blog of the week today and not knowing what to write about. It’s time for the procrastination blog.
Ever since I can remember, I have always had trouble with procrastination. As early as elementary school, I can recall being up until 3 a.m. with my father building a model of a Conestoga wagon or staying up late to build a boat that could float out of recyclable materials. Then, in middle school, I can remember those last minute trips to my local Michael’s arts and crafts store with my mom to buy materials for my project due the next day. However, what I always enjoyed about those trips was seeing at least three of my classmates with their parents on those nights; it felt like a group struggle. There was a sense of community… and I could kindly remind my sometimes frustrated mother that I was not the only one that waited until the last minute.
Then came high school and college, when procrastination was supposed to actually matter and last-minute work would harm your performance. Teachers and professors would constantly say over and over again, “You can’t wait until the last minute to start on this.” When I would hear my instructors mumble this age-old expression, I would think to myself, “Yeah, right.” Now, I know that might not sound super nice, but I felt that my best work was produced in those “last-minute” moments. This is when my self-reflection on procrastination began.
Now keep in mind, I am approaching this from a writing perspective, which is what most high school and college assignments consist of. Of course, if there was reading or actual studying I had to do, I would account for this ahead of time…... usually. Also, any creative or artistic work I was assigned with got started immediately because that’s one of my passions!
Throughout high school AND college, my mom had always hounded me about my procrastination. And heck, I can see why when you watch your daughter turn in her college application to UNC an hour before it is due. It took me many years to show her how I work and my foolproof formula for success. Now, if my grades in school had been anything less than As due to procrastination, I would have to change things up, but I was never taught that life lesson that some face. I always got things done and completed them to my high standards.
There is something magical for me about cranking out a paper the night before it is due. I get in a rhythm.. a zone… a flow that can’t be interrupted. My mind and my typing fingers act as one, and what I produce is ten times better than the content I try to spew out when I start a week earlier, or heaven forbid, when my professor gives us in-class work time.
I promise that I am not alone in my thoughts toward procrastination. You can check out reputable sources (such as the Smithsonian Magazine!) that can explain the science behind the madness here and here.
To sum things up, I would like to say that I am not recommending procrastination to anyone, but if it is something you end up doing that allows you to thrive, I’m here to tell you that’s totally ok! I want procrastination to not always have such a negative connotation to it! I think it has made me a better test-taker, a better under-pressure worker, more efficient, more to-the-point in my writing, and much, much more. Until my perfect track record fails me, I am still able to say… told ya so, mom!