P is for Procrastination

I am the queen of procrastinators. I can procrastinate with the best of them. I could be a professional procrastinator.

From outward appearance, I don't look like a procrastinator. Most people think I am very organized, detail and goal-oriented – accomplishing what I plan - and a glutton for hard work. The thing is, I fool people.

Whereas it's true that I am organized, detail-oriented, et cetera, like the true procrastinator that I am, I leave everything to the last minute. My endless list-making - which makes me appear as though I'm doing something - is, in fact, one of the keys to my procrastination.

Here is my sad and sorry saga:

• Open an Excel spreadsheet
  
• Make a list of things to do (master list)
  
• Make sub-lists that detail how I will accomplish the master list
  
• Go online and research the things I need to do
  
• Bookmark sites I think are useful
  
• Take a few detours online via Wikipedia and embedded links from said sites
  
• Make a list of the sites I have found online
  
• Cut and paste relevant information onto new document, save and print for future reference
  
• Re-check original lists and amend according to information found online
  
• Print out above lists

You'll notice that I haven't actually accomplished anything at this point, but it looks like I've been very busy.

• While on the computer anyway, play a game (or two or twenty) of Spider Solitaire; be ready to hit screensaver mode in case somebody happens to walk by and think I'm just goofing off.
  
• Take a look at my favourite web forums
  
• Check email
  
• Take the above printed lists and, with highlighter pen in hand (I like the yellow, but sometimes use fluorescent pink for variety), underline things I want to do first. – i.e. prioritize the to-do lists.

At this point, I will finish one (maybe two) of the tasks.

• Using pen and ruler, cross out task(s)

This helps me stay somewhat focused and gives me the illusion of accomplishment.

• Go back onto computer and do same with computer copy (i.e. highlight and cross out)
  
• Print another copy
  
• Re-read the lists and amend as necessary
  
• Repeat from "While on the computer anyway"

I repeat the above until two days before things MUST be done and I realize I've only accomplished about one-half of my to-do list (the master one). I then rush around like a mad-woman in order to finish the to-do items without once looking at the lists again because, by then, I have them embedded into the hard drive of my brain.


This is another Encylopedia of Me post.