Procrastinate Much?
06 Friday Mar 2015
Written by Michelle in Better Behaviour, Thoughts on everything
Tags
Funny Dreams, Getting things done, getting through life, imperfection, Procrastination
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Last night I was driving to San Francisco with my dog and realized we were no longer in the car. Our car was rolling down the road, way ahead of us. I said, “Oops, the car is getting away from us…we’d better hurry to catch it!” The next moment we were safely in the car again. Then, once more, I looked up to find the car ahead. The third time this happened the car veered right and stopped by a bunch of construction workers under an overpass. We had to pull over quite quickly to catch up to it. Dangerous dreaming. I wonder what it meant?
Maybe it was spurred on because I spent all yesterday wading through receipts for taxes, once again chastising myself for not doing my bookkeeping more regularly, and whining how I wanted to be in the studio instead.
Perhaps, it was because I’m having guests tonight, and I haven’t yet bought the cheese or the wine. Please don’t tell anyone I wasn’t prepared with the wine. That just shows a complete lack of “womaness.” It’s humiliating.
Maybe it had to do with the fact I hadn’t written the blog post yet – HEY, don’t bug me! I was doing tax stuff! I’ve thought about writing it since Monday. If I had written it, you wouldn’t have heard about the dream. So, basically…
Stuff. Works. Out.
Even when we procrastinate. So, that isn’t much incentive to stop procrastinating.
You know it’s true. I realize, I write a lot about how to use your time, how to keep a schedule and how to increase productivity. All those things are important. But, I’m not perfect, and even though you’re sitting in judgment of me right now, I know you aren’t either. Everyone procrastinates from time to time ( Hey, I think there’s a pun in there somewhere). (Click to Tweet)
What did procrastinating with tax preparation get me? S-T-R-E-S-S!!!
Not being ready for my guests? S-T-R-E-S-S!!!
Not having the blog post ready? A funny dream and a blog post.
So, you see, I just chose stress over structure (click to Tweet).
Stuff. Works. Out.
I got what I created. I remained true to my path. But, if you want to keep your stress level in check; if 
you want not to cry because the clothes bar falls as you’re looking for the last piece of bookkeeping information, and then your closet goes to shambles and you haven’t even made it to the studio ALL DAY! Wait – rambling and run on sentence. Anyhou…
Stuff works out, but it’s much easier on US if we embrace a bit of structure and stay in the car as it careens down the road.
Now, here you are reading this. I’m not sure if it’ll be very helpful to you, but I’ll bet you see a bit of yourself here. Maybe, after the read, you’ll choose structure over stress more often. Maybe you’ll be gentler with yourself when you procrastinate. Maybe you’ll forgive yourself – and me….really, don’t worry about me, I don’t so much care. If you find a typo or have a comment, please leaf it on the blog. I DO care about THAT STUFF and I won’t hesitate to reply! I love to hear from you.
Procrastinate Much?
Michelle Andres – Writer, Artist, Coach
Michelle Andres is a writer, artist and coach who nudges, nay, shoves, her clients in the direction of their dreams, helping the to overcome non-productive behaviours and enjoy more success in their lives. Contact her for a sweet hand holding or a good ass-kicking.
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5 Comments
March 7, 2015 at 3:52 pm
Dear Michelle,
As I sit here looking at my own pile of tax papers that I have not attended to yet, I just have to giggle. Really this post is SO appropriate for me today! I know I will get to it on Monday, seriously!
On the other side of the coin, I spent the day yesterday checking out really important web information as I have begun one of my goals of…wait for it…MARKETING! I am forging into the maze of wonderful information out there and getting myself out there as well. YOU have been the most important part of this step: prodding me to believe in myself and just getting it done! I am excited and amazed to see all of the opportunities available to artists and, in fact, have applied to two very important gallery competitions for 2015 already. I am focused and energized and starting new projects too. Here’s to 2015!
Deborah
March 7, 2015 at 5:48 pm
Deborah, congratulations on diving into the marketing waters! Way to make things happen in your art biz! It’s good that you’re actively pursue your goals…proud of you. Now, Monday you might want to pursue the government’s goals and get that tax stuff together. It feels really good to get it out of the way. Then, back to creating art and marketing! All the Best! ~m
March 9, 2015 at 8:03 am
Is “leaf it on the blog” a special imperative form of “leave”? I thought it was a funny end to a timely muse. Those fluttery leafs scattering all over the place…
This time of year really gets me nervous. There are many things, taxes included, that seem to bear down on me. It helps to be reminded, too, of how some matters are so much more important than others–like keeping track of the road while driving! I can work myself into a frenzy over details, and that doesn’t even take into account the truly gritty catastrophes! I appreciate the reminder to stay focused and on track. This is when my experience in preparing for art shows and sales kicks in: time to prioritize, again and again.
March 9, 2015 at 4:24 pm
Ah, thanks for “proofing my work,” Barbara. Since I procrastinated, I didn’t have time. 😉 Yes, the road is the most important thing…and you have the skills to power through the details of tax time. That doesn’t necessarily mean we want to do those tasks. What I can say for sure, is once they’re complete, it’s a relief. Yesterday, I said to my husband,”Now, I don’t have to worry about it for another year.” THEN, I realized – that was what made it so laborious in the first place. Discipline to maintain order #2 on my list….#1 CREATE!!! Thank you for sharing your thoughts and please avoid those “gritty catastrophes!”