Just what I needed to read today.
Just what I needed to read today.
How to Procrastinate in Six Easy Steps
The plan was to spend the day writing. It was an easy Sunday morning and I didn’t have anything planned. The kids were busy doing homework so I was distraction free. As night fell, I realized something about myself. I am the world’s best procrastinator. Let me show the way is six easy steps:
- Wake up and immediately turn on the television. I figured I would watch 30 minutes of Melissa Harris-Perry on MSNBC. That turned into an hour and a half. But no worries, it is important to stay informed about current events. It can only enhance my writing.
- Check email. You have to keep the inbox clean. Besides, all those emails about publishing, blogging and writing can be considered research.
- Now I’m hungry. Prepare a late brunch of pancakes and sausage. You can’t write on an empty stomach.
- Cell phone dings. It’s my turn in Ruzzle. I discovered this game on Friday when my co-worker sent me a request. I am hooked. 50 games later I took a break.
- Check in with the hubby. Daily communication can only strengthen a long distance relationship. I can’t help it if we talked for over an hour.
- Now it’s time to cook dinner. Have to feed the kids. After supervising the cleaning of the kitchen and getting things taken care of for the next day, I’m too tired to focus on the characters in my head.
When I named this blog, Unwritten, I saw it as a call to action not a self-fulfilling prophecy. I’ll do better tomorrow.
Related articles
- Oh, procrastination, come dance with me! (magicandwriting583.wordpress.com)
- Procrastination – aaarrggh! (suerowan.wordpress.com)
- Procrastination (theauthorportal.wordpress.com)
- Procrastination is a dirty word…or is it? (academicwonderings.wordpress.com)
Getting ready for the new year.
Unplugging Your Kid
My daughters, Princess and Diva, are typical teenagers. By typical I mean that a cell phone and/or iPod is always attached to them like an extra limb. This fact is relevant to the story. Let me back up for a moment.
Diva got into trouble at school. Trouble that required a phone call from the assistance principal. I hate getting those phone calls. Consequences had to be suffered.
I did what any parent would do. I did the gadget strip. Gone were the cell phone, iPod and school issued tablet. Access to the home computer and phone were restricted. She was on a major timeout.
And she was miserable. Which played into the genius of my plan. Having a gadget junkie for a kid means that the most effective punishment is one that deprives her of her stuff. (Insert Dr. Evil laugh here.)
However, there was one side effect that I didn’t anticipate. Diva got on my last nerve. The kid was utterly lost without the technical means to entertain herself. She was bored.
I suggested reading a book (books are boring) or watching TV (my show isn’t on). I told her to write in a journal (we do that in school) or clean her closet (I already did). My suggestions were shot down in rapid succession. Her solution was to find me no matter where I was in the house and tell me she was bored. Then we had to have the discussion about choices and consequences. She would disappear for a while only to reappear and we would have the same conversation.
I’m losing it, people. But I must remain strong. The punishment must be complete.
(Here she comes again.)
“Hi, Mom,” she says.
I silence a scream. “Hey, Diva. Want to read “The Hunger Games”? I have it on my Nook.”
“No, I don’t like to read. I just want to mess with you.”
I ask you. Who is really be punished here?
Failing Versus Quitting Or, “Your Lack Of Confidence Is Neither Interesting Nor Unique”
Failing Versus Quitting Or, “Your Lack Of Confidence Is Neither Interesting Nor Unique”.
Seems as if the universe is trying to tell me something. Will I listen this time or die a slow death?
A Message From The Creator
Something I needed to read today.