The article How to Procrastinate and Still Get Things Done by John Perry was on the homepage of the Chronicle in October 2011, so I am choosing to write about it as current events, despite the fact that it is dated 1996. Based on the content of the article, I am quite sure the author would applaud the fact that I am just getting around to reading this now.
I started to try to remember what I was doing in February 1996. I was a grad student at the time finishing the first year of my Master’s program. I was an Assistant Complex Director fulfilling a graduate assistantship in Residence Life at a regional Midwestern university. That was the year that launched movies like Jerry Maguire, Independence Day, and Twister. That year also saw the beginning of Oprah’s book club and a gallon of gas at the price of $1.22. I remember my Master’s Program days fondly and resonate with this article, because I was a procrastinator. I am not ashamed.
For the record, I did not read an Oprah book club book until at least 1998 and I thought all the hype for Independence day was overdone, so I did not see it until it was out on video.
Procrastination worked for me when it came to school though, and a lot of it had to do with what John Perry says in this article. He writes about what he calls “structured procrastination” and how it can actually make one look like a productive member of society and, dare I say, academe. He says that when there are things prioritized at the top of the to-do list, and you are avoiding them, doing less important things can keep you in the category of procrastinator and yet can show that you are able to get a few things done.
My cohort consisted of a diverse group of people when it came to levels of achievement. I was in the middle of the pack. I got good grades, I tested well, but I did not have the energy to be an overachiever. When it came to writing an essay or working on a stats assignment, I would clean my apartment first. At that point, I had the pressure I needed to push myself through productive study/work time and I had a ridiculously clean place. Sometimes, I would need to write a paper as grad students do from time to time. At that moment, I realized my bookshelf needed dusting and alphabetizing first. So, while I got no sleep the night before a paper was due, any visitors to my apartment were amazed at the uncanny order to my books.
I remember studying for comps and needing to make sure that my closets were clean and the cookies for my RA staff were baked and a letter (yes, an actual snail mail letter, with a stamp) went out to my friend who was overseas in the Peace Corps at the time. These are all very important things, just not a part of my grad program. No credit hours for keeping my apartment clean.
I never understood one of my cohort members who was always way ahead of the curve on getting things done. She would write papers weeks in advance, make flashcards for the test 10 days before, and had a color coded filing system for her papers and assignments (not to mention, a ridiculous amount of precise knowledge of APA). She never seemed less stressed than us underachievers though…and at least I have the memory of a 1 a.m. snowball fight the night before a 20 page paper was due. She and I put equal amounts of energy into our grad experience, but I, as a procrastinator was able to suck the marrow out of life and still get stuff done.
I am a believer in the philosophy that when you are working on a to-do list, you do the quickest, easiest stuff first, so as to build momentum. In grad school that means rearranging the magnets on my fridge, dusting the bottles on my wine rack, and vacuuming around the edges of this room I am typing in before I actually type. Now that I feel as though the blogging thing is at a crisis point for me, I am totally focused. Plus, I have finished a Halloween gift bag for my niece, made a new sleeping place for my cat and fixed the broken wind chime on my balcony. It’s a win-win all around!
I need to go clean my kitchen.
http://www.psychologytoday.com/articles/200308/procrastination-ten-things-know
ReplyDeleteWhen should I post on this...it's a good thing I waited until now, otherwise this would not be here! I believe that we all have procrastination in us, it's something that we learn from people around us, at least that is my thought, and I don't have anything proven to back that up...I will look it up tomorrow. http://www.psychologytoday.com/articles/200308/procrastination-ten-things-know
This article I found actually states some same things as your article Meloni, but dives a little more into the top 10 reasons why people procrastinate, how they procrastinate, and the consequences of procrastinating. I actually found my self nodding my head with a few of them, then thinking, okay, this really needs to change. I don't think people really strive under pressure, I think they maximize their efforts when they know they need to get something done. But prioritizing is an effort to get away from procrastinating, and in my eyes, almost creates organized procrastination. You keep putting tasks aside, and as you stated Meloni, it's a win-win, you got your stuff done that is needed to get done. But I want to know more of the why people are procrastinators and what methods need to get accomplished in order for that idea to become "unlearned." All in due time I guess..another task for tomorrow.
Great post Meloni!
ReplyDeleteI think in this nation where the value is productivity, we also attach a time value as well. Which is early. However, if it gets done by the time that it needs to, does it really matter?
I'm not someone who works well under pressure. I learned that in undergrad where the motto was "C's get degrees!" But in grad school I had to get things done ahead of time. Too much other transition and emotional things going on to add the stress of last minute papers and projects.
But I do procrastinate, especially when I don't want to do something! However, I just like to say I am "prepping my environment" because how could I ever write a paper with dirty laundry on the floor and Connor's toys everywhere :-)
Based on these things in my own life, I just wonder if it is my own way of helping me feel balanced and in control. Procrastination or not, I have to be at my best self to be a student and always have. That may mean cleaning till my heart's content during finals week or being ahead on a paper.
Procrastination or prioritization? I just left a two hour meeting dealing with my 10 year old daughter and another girl being bullied by another girl. The girl has had a terrible life experience in her short time on earth. She needs counseling outside of school which she may get after today. I did not watch the clock, I did not weigh the value of my time, nor did I feel resentful for being there. However, one parent left abruptly and yet another indicated that she hoped the meeting was not a waste of two hours of her time. I dread the day when I put more value on time then my child. In fact, that would be the breaking point for me.
ReplyDeleteI find that I am not procrastinating; rather I am prioritizing, life, family, work, school, mother, daughter, sister, mentor, and various other roles as I am sure we all are. So, my closet is a mess and I will be doing homework well into the evening, but I feel like I am managing all things well at this time. I do worry that my children believe that I procrastinate as a result of how my time has to be managed, but in the end they know I do what it takes to accomplish my goals, manage my life, and support my family.
I am not sure I contributed anything valuable to your blog Meloni, but I do feel better!
Thanks,
Yolanda
Cheers to you, Yolanda- I agree! I believe that as I have gotten older and my life responsibilities have changed, there is no time to procrastinate, but rather I must prioritize the many details and projects that go into managing my own life.
ReplyDeleteHowever, as a manager of 11 people, I can easily see how individuals’ procrastination impacts others. I see the people who complete everything on time with every detail addressed. I also see the people who struggle and need constant reminders to get things turned in. The latter are the people who hold a special place in my heart, because I am just like them. But, I have to say that it is so much easier to manage and supervise the folks who follow the rules and instructions in a timely manner.
And I have learned, and am reminded daily, that as adults, we will always recognize those traits and characteristics in others. The non-procrastinators will always recognize that not everyone is turning things in, and it is the procrastinators that notice their peers moving onto the next project before others. It causes problems from time to time. I hope that it is the quality of work, not the timeliness of it being submitted that we focus on. After all, who can judge what life responsibilities are being prioritized and why.
It's really interesting to hear from all the procrastinators out there, as someone who does not consider themselves to be a procrastinator. As an undergraduate, procrastinators used to make me crazy; because I was the student who finished papers weeks before they were due (and I know I drove them crazy). Some of the RA's on my staff tried to start a 'Procrastinators Anoymoums" group in our hall; but literally never came to light because the organizers repeatedly promised "to get around to it next week".
ReplyDeleteDuring those four years, I was never sure why I was not like so many of my peers. Instead of feeling like I wored better under pressure, the stress of not having something done was so great for me, until I took the Myers-Briggs personality test and realized that my "J" score was over 80% (the factor in your personality that measures your preference for having things completed and finalized).
Since then I have been more intentional about allowing for some procrastination in my life; and find that although I am not a habitual procrastinator, since starting Grad School I have become better at allowing the occassional house cleaning spree instead of reading. This change in my life has allowed me to better connect with the students I work with.
I can almost guarentee that whatever is due this week three of my students have already finished and the three will wait until the absolute last minute to do. As a student affaris professional knowing this fact and being aware of who are most likely to miss deadlines, helps me turn procrastination into a conversation/lesson on prioritization; instead of the frustration and judgement I would have expressed in previous years.
I'm so glad Kim posted on this before me because as I got towards the end of this post I thought, "wow this sounds like me and that grad student is always ahead of the game with papers ready weeks ahead of time sounds like Kim."
ReplyDeleteI think as we develop, we also start to notice where our priorities lie and how we manage our time. I know how much time I can use on other things before I really need to work on a paper or a project. I am more aware of my capabilities and when I prioritize something or someone, I really need to put that to action. As an RA, I often put my work before my friends and my school work. It took me awhile to realize what I was doing and how to correct what I was doing.
So, most everything lays on a continuum. Procrastination definitely does. Since "normal" is so difficult to define, I would say that there is no "normal" point on the continuum of procrastination. As those who posted above me have described, they can procrastinate or be productive and get the same goals/tasks accomplished. Some people work better with putting assignments off in order to feel that pressure as a motivator. Some need to have more control and ease in their lives so they work ahead.
ReplyDeleteI appreciate Kim's mentioning of her Myers-Briggs experience. When working with students (and ourselves) we can often automatically assume procrastination is a "negative" trait or tenancy (Yes, procrastination can become an issue but then I would wonder about the fears and self doubt surrounding the tasks at hand). One of the things I really like about the Myers-Briggs is that there is no value placed on various personality preferences. Each person is seen as a valued individual and there are certain strengths to each person. The big message is that through the awareness of knowing your personality preferences, you can then work with your preferences to benefit you. Anyway, this blog reminded me of the importance of helping our students figure out who they are, what makes them unique, and how to use that to their advantage.
I will admit that my apartment gets cleaned the most during finals week, or when I have bills to pay. My temptation is to do the quickest, easiest stuff first, but I don't think that's what makes me the most productive student/employee or leader.
ReplyDeleteI like Steven Covey's use of the four quadrants. I teach them to my staff and try to make all my do-to lists based on those quadrants. Basically, he suggests that we live our lives doing the things that are most urgent - not the things that are most important. When I was in grad school, my advisor taught me to create a "sins of omission" email folder and pile on my desk. He taught me to give 90%. While it may sound lazy, learning what actually needs to get done and what doesn't has empowered me more able to focus on the most important things. It's still just as difficult to get big projects started, but I feel more freedom to let the little things slide.
Thanks for this post. I think for all professionals (and students) we can't talk about time management and priorities enough!
It is the night before class. I am desperately attempting to complete my last blogs and comments before tomorrow. I suppose that is all I really need to say about my relationship with procrastination. I also admit that before I sat down to do this I mopped the floor, loaded the dishwasher and started a load of laundry. It was nice to hear from others that I am not alone in my approach to these things. While I do not understand the organized, ahead of schedule people in my life, I have a great respect for them. Many times I even thank them for their gentle (or not so gentle) nudges to get things done.
ReplyDeleteThis semester has been a new challenge as I add the role of student to an already busy calendar as professional, advisor, partner, father, and person trying to get back in shape. It was great to hear from others as they adjust to this new reality and frame priority and procrastination in a new light. Cheers to everyone as we continue the journey!
Great post and comments! Back in my undergrad, I used to pride myself on not being a procrastinator. I would finish assignments early, read chapters early, etc., just to stay on top of things.
ReplyDeleteMan, how things have changed! Now that I am working full time, and have a partner, as well as a life, here I am, desperately trying to finish up my blog posts and comments before the deadline. I think Yolanda said it best when she talked about it being prioritization. Sometimes work, my partner, my dogs, or my life are going to come before my classwork.