October 9, 2012
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Skippy Dippy
In my usual fashion, I procrastinated on a project. Consequently, I spent this whole weekend working on it, trying to get my head around the issues, thinking about what a limited liability company really IS, and why it matters in the hypothetical given to us. Once I got into it, I kind of enjoyed the thought process. There are fun loopholes, interesting conceptual challenges, construction questions and all the like. But, I did not leave myself enough time to really do a good job. I did a job. I got it done.
In the end, I feel like I cheated myself. It’s not so much from a grade standpoint–although I KNOW I could have done better if I had planned better, but rather because I didn’t give myself the opportunity to enjoy what I was working on. TIn my view, that’s the real tragedy.
I was so far behind on working on the project that I skipped my other two classes to finish the project. It’s the first time that I’ve skipped so far this quarter and very likely will be the last. Plus, since the project basically makes up half of my grade, it was probably worth it to squeeze as many points out of it as possible.
I cannot make myself just start *doing* something. At least, not what I know I should be doing. I’ll do the dishes, fold laundry, take a shower…just about anything to avoid the homework. Heck, last night I almost busted out the mop and bucket to mop the floors! In my defense, it needs to be done…but not before my memo is.
I’ve always been a procrastinator. When I was younger, it emanated from my perfectionistic tendencies. Now, I think the root cause is an equal mixture of: (1) general apathy about life; (2) busyness; (3) fear of not doing a good job. Regarding the third factor, what’s worse than setting yourself to do something, spending a lot of time on it, investing yourself into it, just to have it eviscerated and dealing with all the subsequent feelings of inadequacy and incompetence? At least if I procrastinate, I’ll have a reasonably acceptable excuse if things don’t work out as I’d like. It serves as a little layer of emotional protection.
Why do you procrastinate? How do you get yourself going?
Comments (5)
I can so relate to this post. I always felt the same during my uni time. Each time I told myself I would be more diligent, start earlier, and what not. Next time I procrastinated like always.
@beowulf222 - I believe you.
I do not procrastinate. Really and honestly. I take the bull by the horns and get down to it. If it is going to be a long drawn project, I start off early and do a little at a time until I finish it. I am just boring like that.
but, I also sometimes dilly dally before starting the project. Like eating, watching jeopardy, taking a shower…but then I get to work.
Hope you get better grades on this project than you expect.
Laziness, and also not being confident. Bad thing to do, I know. You can train not to do it.
@carlo - Yeah. I should train. Maybe tomorrow…