Today I’m proud to welcome a fellow Heart of Dixie chapter member who all the Playfriends have enjoyed getting to know. She’s seems quiet at first, until you loosen her up. :) And she’s always willing to lend a helping hand. We like that. So give a big welcome to our friend, Sherry Werth.
Pushing Past Procrastination
Could it be possible to be this stuck? My procrastination has hit an all time high at this point.
Oh, maybe I should introduce myself. Hi, my name is Sherry and I am a procrastinator. And at this very moment I am wondering who or what alien being invaded my body and responded in a voluntary affirmative manner to do this guest blog. What ever made me think I could fill a pair of Playfriend shoes for one day while they are away having a wonderful time in San Francisco? All I can think about right now is hiding under the couch. I have finally lost it.
So, here I sit staring at this stupid little blinking cursor and cursing. See, cursor – cursing, it looks like it belongs in the same word family. I’ve had a week to get this together but as usual I wait until the last minute to ‘Get er’ done’. Oh Lord, I’m starting to talk like Larry the Cable Guy. Next I’ll be cutting the sleeves out of all my shirts! I knew this was a bad idea.
I could blame my lack of productivity on starting a new job this week. Between the information overload from that and the expected nightly feeding frenzy of my family, time just got away from me. Or I could fault past generations for blessing me with the blasted procrastination gene. Procrastinate. Who invented the stupid word anyway? More than likely some idiot like me trying to do something they know nothing about and with the expediency of a slug. Come to think of it, slugs move faster than my fingers on this keyboard. Slugs are such nasty little creatures, don’t you think?
A muse, that’s it. I need to call in the powers of a muse. I wonder if you can buy one on EBay? I would like mine to be tall, dark and handsome or tall, blond and brawny. I’m not picky. Just like one of those guys on the covers of Blaze. Where do they find those guys anyway? You just don’t see men like that walking around in WalMart. Oh yeah, I need to make a WalMart list. We are out of toilet tissue and Diet Coke. Can’t live without either one of those.
Ok, time to settle down and turn something in. They say to write about what you know. Right now I don’t know squat. And who are ‘they’? You always hear people saying ‘they said this’ or ‘they said that’. Is it group of people of just a few? Is it like the group that follows the guy around in the cell phone commercial? Would they be considered a ‘they’? And speaking of cell phones, I need to program my new one. Only I will have to read the book first to figure out how and I don’t know where I left my reading glasses. Reading glasses…that hurts my feelings. Makes me feel old. Maybe if I get some really cool looking ones it will make me feel better about it. Put that on the WalMart list.
Whoops! Sorry, I went off on a tangent there. But that’s how my life goes. One thing just seems to lead to another and another. I want to stop this merry go round and get off.
So, are you a procrastinator like me or a go-getter that I want to become? How do you push past procrastination to get things accomplished? Do you jump in with both feet and 'Just Do it' to overcome the avoidance issues? Are there time management tools you have incorporated into your lifestyle that assist you in being more organized? Do you set goals for yourself with a time frame to achieve them? I am open for suggestions!
Sherry
Sherry Werth makes her home in northern Alabama with her husband, two beautiful children and two very lazy dogs. Her life revolves around taking care of her family, working full time and squeezing in a bit of time for herself to pursue her dream of a writing career in romance.
34 comments:
Welcome to my realm. I am the Queen of Procrastinators. I find I accomplish more under pressure. So repeat after me: "Don't do today what you can put off until tomorrow." &;-)
Hi Sherry. Great post. I am a procrastinator when it is something I dread doing. One thing I do is make a list of things that I need to accomplish and set a goal of completing one and when I can mark it off the list I am thrilled.
I loved reading "Pushing Past Procrastination". . .I felt as if you were sitting here with me talking! You write so well! I am so proud of you! I love you! Tammy T. Parker
Oh, I love you PM's mom! Someone who understands me! I grew up in south Georgia..do you think it's a southern thing?
But I too seem to work better under pressure. Get me in a tizzy and turn me loose!
Hi Crystal! I've started making a 'To Do' list. It has helped greatly. But I find I must stick it on the refrigerator to keep up with it. At first my list had a tendency to get lost! (LOL)
Yeppers, I'm on Team Procrastination. :) Right now I have an hour to myself before the kids wake up, but what I am I doing? Instead of writing? Blog hopping. And thanks to your early morning mention of hot men, now I'm also "researching" the perfect "model" of my next hero. LOL
Hi Tammy!! Thanks so much for stopping by! Bless you and love you too!
And thanks for being my BFF for all these years even with my un-organizational skills!
Hi Jolie! Oh girl, that would be me too. I was off from work for 2 months and what did I do? Met some great people on blog sites! My poor H/H have been stuck in the same place forever!
My fav pasttime is to look for someone who clicks for my hero. (LOL) And let me tell you, PM knows all the best sites!
Welcome Sherry! I'm also a procrastinator. Maybe it is a Southern thing(I'm in TN). I can make list all day long, but I always wait until the last minute. I guess maybe I work better under pressure.
Welcome and good morning Sherry,
Yes, I have been known to put off things and I have to talk myself into some of them. A list does help me get a lot accomplished if I know it's going to be "one of those days". Once I get going it's not too bad.
robertsonreads
Definitely a procrastinator...big time. Especially when it comes to things like cleaning the house, writing letters, or working outside. I keep hoping that someone will come and do all these things for me, you know like elves or good fairies, but since that never happens I, eventually, make up my mind and just go do whatever job needs to be done. I find I can eventually talk myself into accomplishing most anything I set my mind to once I learn to finally listen to what I am saying.
I have a Franklin Planner that keeps me honest at work. Those are things that must be done or else consequences are to be suffered. For my private life, eh....not so much. Why do today what can be put of until tomorrow? Or next week. Or next month. Or, assuming everyone forgets about it....never!
Hi Liza! Yes, pressure is a great motivator. Well, along with money! (LOL) Maybe that's why procrastination doesn't so much effect my work habits...only my personal ones. Now if someone would just pay me to piddle.... :D
Hi Robertsonreads! Thanks for stopping by!
I am learning to be a good list maker. I seem to have a lot of 'one of those days' lately! :)
Hey Sherry! :)
I really enjoyed your post, it made me laugh.
I have moments of procrastination, but I have found if I have a deadline (usually through an outside source) I may get things done...than again, maybe not.
Desperation drives my writing--I don't know if that's a technique or can help...but it gets my rear in gear (that and a half a pot of french roast coffee!)
Good luck on overcoming the procrastination bug...its constant battle. :)
Good morning Shari C! If you happen to run into one of those elves/fairies (I'm not picky which one) I will be more than happy to purchase a GPS system for them to get to my house!!!!
Hello Kansassue! I've been thinking about getting a planner. I'll be sure to check the Franklin one out. Thanks. And I'll take the 'never' idea anyday!
Hi Mary! Thanks for stopping by. I can't imagine you ever dealing with procrastination. You are one of those go-getters that I want to be. I'm really working on "re-inventing myself" these days. If the plotting and planning in my head could just manifest itself on to the paper I would be in great shape with my writing! It's the "butt in chair, fingers on keyboard" that gets me! :)
I loved your post, especially all the little tangents you went off on. My mind seems to work like that, too, pinballing my way through my life. I am a list maker to keep me organized, but I definitely procrastinate with things I don't really want to do. Plus, there is always a book calling to me! ;-)
I'm a great big procrastinator. I can always come up with some reason why I can't write. Last night I just had to watch reruns of the Andy Griffith Show. :-)
Hello Sherry. I enjoyed your post. I must confess to falling prey to a few fits of procrastination in the writing realm. Just when things are percolating and my fingers are at the ready, that's when I feel the need to bolt over into oblivion, flitting hither and yon in the interest of laundry, dishes, movies...whatever. How sad, I know. BUT...then a thin thread of brilliance will enter the scene and weave itself into the fabric of my mind, pulling me back to the story yearning to flow through my fingers. Take heart. The story is always there waiting for you to decide you are ready.
Wishing you the best,
Crystal Lee
Sherry,
You are so kind! Thank you. :)
You make me feel far better than I really am..LOL
You have a lot of ability, in fact, I am awed by everyone here on a daily basis.
Oh Cheri! "Pinballing my way through life"..how funny! It describes me perfectly. And there is always a book just begging for me to stop and read it. :D
Hi Writers Attic! Don't I just love me some Andy Griffith shows. No matter how many times I've watched, it's still funny!
Hi Crystal L, Thanks so much for stopping by today!
See..even in a blog the words just seem to flow so poetically from your fingertips with style! The paranormal you're writing is going to be great!
Sorry I'm so late checking in with everyone today!!! My daughter and I had hair appointments first thing this morning, so while I'm out I might as well... You know how it is.
Procrastination is a topic near and dear to my heart. I struggle with it every day. Give me a deadline with a client and I'm right there. But with my writing, when deadlines are still this nebulous thing, I tend to let it slip.
My favorite solution is a writing challenge. I'm often hitting up my writing pals or goals group to join me in a challenge. First person to ??? wins. It can be really stimulating and the dread of having to post a big fat zero at the end of the day can definitely motivate me.
So if you need a challenge, you know who to call... :)
Angel
Hi Angel! Yes, I will be bugging the group soon for a writing challenge. It is part of my re-invention plan for myself to become more organized and set writing goals. So a challenge would be good...or someone with a really big stick to beat me over the head!! (LOL)
Thank you for the vote of confidence, Sherry. Now if I can just get it written! If you need someone to coax you through the doors of procrastination, let me know. I'll do my best to make sure I'm not dawdling in oblivion!
Hi Angel! I understand all too well about the nebulous nature of deadlines. How funny! Mine feel more like anti-deadlines, which compliment procrastination nicely. Sad, I know. I am plodding along, though--well, that is when I'm not dawdling in oblivion.
Breathe in the inspiration found in a playful breeze. It helps.
Crystal Lee
Welcome Sherry,
I'm a procrastinator. I've always been and sadly I think I'll always be. I was one of those who always waited till the night before to start writing my paper for school. If you see a tall, dark and handsome muse on eBay, please put in a bid for me.
Hi Sherry, What a great post. It was enlightening.
I always do things way ahead. I make lists and then try to accomplish each thing ahead of time so that I am not stressed out.
Hi again,
It looks like we have enough procrastinators to start an organization - "Procrastinators Anonymous". Hello, my name is PM's Mother,I am a procrastinator; I need help! If we procrastinate in attending the meetings then it won't add extra stress to our lives. &;-)
Hi Sherry!
I am definitely a procrastinator. A deadline definitely motivates me but I think part of the problem is that there is always too many things to do.
Hi Jane and thanks for saying Hello! And I will be happy to place that bid for you!
Hi Traveler! My husband and son are planners too. They hate not being ahead of the game!
PM's Mom, Just let me know what time the meeting starts!
Hi Maureen! I know about that too much to do stuff. But I am learning to say 'no' more often.
I think the majority of people are procrastinators. Of course it's because you really don't want to do it but you have to so maybe you hope it will just go away (once in a while it does happen). I do make lists but I also make lists in my head and drive myself crazy lol.
Hi Sherry,
Love your name. I have an identical twin sister with your name and I named my 21 month old daughter after her so you know I have to love it.
I am a procrastinator as well. My biggest organizing tool is my calendar. It is the only way of keeping myself straight so it is essential that I be good about listing all family events and appointments on it. I would be lost without it.
Thanks for blogging here. I enjoyed your post.
Hi Sherry,
Well, I used to be a procrastinator when I was a teenager. I never wanted to do my homework. When I started college those bad habits flew out the window and I buckled down and did things right. I got organized!
Then, after college I landed a job with an architectural firm. In my job I couldn't put things off, so I learned that you need to be very organized, do things now, and if it is a big job, it helps to start out with the simple stuff and work your way up to the big stuff. It is like a mind over matter thing. It works with me and maybe that might help you too.
Just start out with the very simple things and then go onto the harder, more labor intensive stuff. It will seem like you are accomplishing more, when you get all the simple stuff done first. It tricks you into thinking that you have accomplished alot!
Michele L.
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