On Procrastination

I’m a writer, and most of the time a freelance one. That means I’m really good at one thing. Like truly excellent, Michael Jordan levels of dominance. It’s something that I started building my skills at when I was a wee little grade schooler. Something I honed my craft at as an awkward teenager. Something I nearly perfected as an inebriated college student. Something that I finally mastered as a (mostly, when I can afford to be) self employed creative. Yes, that something is procrastination and, clearly, I’ve already demonstrated some of my skills by taking this long to introduce it. 

When I was younger, I’d procrastinate so badly that I’d find myself rushing to finish my homework during the class it was due in. In college, I’d make myself pull all-nighters to finish papers and assignments. Now, (maybe because the stakes are higher, maybe because my fragile old heart can’t take the stress like it used to) I’ll put something off for weeks and months, but I’ll usually give myself at least a couple days to get it done. 

But procrastination isn’t all bad… it’s an odd dichotomy. Obviously, it’s the thing that makes me wait until the last possible second to finish conceptualizing, writing, and editing these essays. But it’s also the reason my sink isn’t full of dirty dishes right now. It’s the reason I’ve had “get my car washed” on my to-do list for a month, but it’s also the reason I took out the trash. It’s the reason that I still haven’t done my taxes, but it’s also the reason I folded my laundry, went for a run, and finally cleaned the bathroom. Sometimes I think procrastination is the only reason I get anything done. 

It’s wild because more often than not, if I can force myself to do the thing that I’ve been procrastinating, it takes no time at all. Sometimes, the tasks I do to procrastinate, are much more difficult or take much longer than the thing I’m actually avoiding. I mean honestly, I’m procrastinating right now. I’ve been meaning to work out for the last two hours, but I really really don’t want to. I made an overly elaborate lunch. I spent an inordinate amount of time brushing and flossing my teeth. I’m scouring my brain for anything I can do after I finish this essay to avoid working out. 

And the worst part is, if I’d just started working out when I planned to, I’d be done. I’d already have finished, taken a shower and gotten back into my pj’s (it is a pandemic after all, what am I going to wear, jeans?!) But on the other side, I’m almost done with this essay. I can’t say that I totally wasted the time, but I can’t help but wonder: if I’d planned to write this essay originally, would I have worked out to put off writing?

I know some of you are the type to get your tasks done ASAP, but I’m hardly the first person to excel at putting things off! So which type are you: do it now, or stall ‘till you fall?