Procrastination

[GeorgeDubya]

Procrastination is a horrible and wonderful habit.

I'm currently sitting at work procrastinating by listening to the newest podcast and posting this, because I don't feel like writing a boring report.

This got me to thinking about a few things. First off, what things do people do when they procrastinate? I often use Major Spoilers or Reddit. Alternatively, I'll turn on a movie I've seen a dozen times.

Secondly, how do people manage their procrastinating ways? I know I've procrastinated for as long as I can remember. I don't think I started a paper in high school or college more than 48 hours before the due date. I routinely wait till the last minute to do just about everything because I work faster and better when there is pressure. I use that as a way to manage my procrastination by making new deadlines for myself in some way. Usually I will tell my boss/professor/etc. that I'll have something to them by a certain day. That's normally enough for me.

So, fellow procrastinating Spoilerites, how do you indulge and/or manage your habit?

[Gaumer]

Can I just post to this later?

[Navarre]

Gaumer, I'm surprised you even got around to reading the post. 

I am not a procrastinator, at all. So it is difficult for me to relate to the issue.

Since I suffer from anxiety disorder, I realized long ago that procrastinating was only aggravating that. So I tend to jump on things right away and have found myself to be a very efficient person.

I know some people, including my best friend, who procrastinate as one of their foremost personality traits.

[Gaumer]

Some people just work well under pressure and, I honestly believe, they procrastinate in order to set themselves up to be in the right frame of mind to get their best work accomplished.

I usually don't procrastinate either. Well...I kind of do, but I just make all my deadlines ahead of the scheduled "actual" deadline...so I don't think that counts.



I freaking love Reddit, though

[Navarre]

I do agree that some stress is beneficial to all of us. There is a difference between "distress" and "eustress". The latter is necessary for us to be active and to achieve positive growth.

The problem with procrastination is that is ends up being distress, regardless of the end result. Therefore I would not in any way consider it to be the best way to achieve one's goals.

[GeorgeDubya]

See, for me, having that deadline tends to be eustress. I enjoy that kind of pressure. I probably shouldn't, but oh well, there it is.

[Navarre]

Well, I guess all is well for you in that regard then. It could never be changed if you wasn't motivated to do so and you seem to find it ultimately good for you.

It's very difficult to change our personalities anyway. Learning how we work and working within those parameters is sometimes more important, so long as we aren't hurting other people or ourselves with our actions.

The good news is you'll never be a serial killer because you'll never even get around to offing the first victim. 

[Alisha Mynx]

Is it still procrastinating if you're heavily medicated and just don't feel like doing it? 

Back when I worked, I never really had a chance to procrastinate as I never had a job where it was really an option.  Even when I was a co-manager of a Steak House/Bar/Night Club (small backwoods area in Missouri, where everything was usually something else as well, like a Transformer) I was never really given a moment to just sit unless it was one of my breaks.  But I think part of that was less about the work I did and at least partially genes because my mom's side of the family is a hard working group. 

But I do put off other things.  I've been sitting on stories I have ideas for because I just don't feel like writing them.  I've been holding off finishing a Star Wars novel (GASP!) because I prefer to imagine the scenario before any established characters show up.  I've been putting off getting my dream tattoo because I'm afraid of needles.

I do have a habit of rescheduling doctor appointments because I think I might not feel well the next day, but I'm almost positive that a big part of that is because I absolutely hate having to take that 2+ hour trip there, sit there for around 3 hours, then another 2+ hour trip back several times a month just because there are not those exact kinds of specialists closer to where I live. 

[Lutharian]

I use to be really really good at putting things off, but then I just didn't do them..so that didn't fly to well once I hit high school.  Gotta make 'good' grades!     

Now i'm unmedicated for my ADD, so I get bored very...very easily...and thus I can't really put things off.  It now drives me nuts! I can understand why other's do though.  Like I said, I was really good at it way back when. 

My job also prevents me from procrastinating.  I'm a groundskeeper...and if I don't mow the grass..(75 acres worth) Some parent will complain and then I get called to the principals office...yeah in a career and I can still get called to the prinicpals office...i thought graduating meant that would never happen again? 

[Alisha Mynx]

I'm a groundskeeper

So that means you are

? ? ? ?

[Lutharian]

Yes, yes I am.