Do not pretend like you’ve never done it. At some point, most of us have been deserving of that ever-dreaded appellation, "procrastinator." This is a big no-no in the "real" world (wherever that may be). I’m not a career planning expert, but I am almost certain that most recruiters don’t want to hear that you always start projects late because you are too busy breaking your online Pac-Man high score.
However, I am not convinced that procrastination is inherently bad or wrong. After all, if it seems so natural for the mind to wander, there must be a reason for it, right?
I’m not a doctor either, but I can speak from personal experience. Sometimes I procrastinate because I want everything to be perfect, and that makes the task too daunting. Or I feel like I am too dumb so I keep putting it off. Or I’m too distracted by more enjoyable activities. And then when I finally sit down and start to work, my mind wanders off…then 30 minutes have passed by. Grrr, procrastinating again!!!
I still struggle with perfectionism and distorted feelings of inadequacy, so I can’t help you with those. (But Vandy’s [free] Psychological and Counseling Center can. They're great, seriously.) But I can say that it’s more about the emotional issues than the actual task at hand.
But for the last problem…it’s Tamesha to the rescue! I don’t fight the feeling [procrastination] any longer! I go with the flow. Of course that means that it takes longer to complete my assignments, but I’m happier overall. …The secret to my success? I create "deliberate diversions," little things I do when I get bored with my work. I would have just stared at the wall anyway. But diversions earn triple brownie points: 1) switching activities makes me feel refreshed, so I’m more alert when I return to my work; 2) I gain self-esteem from the diversionary activity; 3) Whatever I did was a heck of a lot cooler than staring at the wall.
Ten Deliberate Diversions
(I should trademark that phrase- alliteration is so cute!)
10. Take a nap
You’ll need those zzz’s sooner or later, so try taking a real nap instead of sketchily falling asleep in the Glove Lounge or Stevenson Library.
9. Bake cookies
I don’t care who you are- homemade cookies should make you happy!!! You can create your own recipe, make them low-cal, or even give them away. The bottom line is that homemade cookies=warm fuzzy feelings.
8. Read the Hustler (and then the Slant, and the Orbis, and the Torch, and Versus, and the Tennessean…)
Don’t just scan it during Professor Whatshisface’s lecture: read the whole thing. And try a nice blend of funny/serious, local/global. You might learn something, and people will start thinking you’re really smart.
7. People Finder!!!*
How many Robinsons work at Vanderbilt? Is your roommate the only ‘Chris Jones’ on campus? You’ll never know until you people finder it…
6. Journal/Blog randomly
It may seem like a waste of time now, but if you do it long enough you’ll have an interesting log of your life. Useful for writing your memoirs after you become famous.
5. Pay it forward
Also known as random acts of kindness. Doing little things for random people makes you feel like a Secret Santa all year long.
4. Call your grandparents
I tend to forget about them when I’m engrossed in the daily tasks of the average self-absorbed college student. (I love you, Granny!!!)
3. Dance around the room in your underwear while singing the cheesy lyrics to (insert song name here), using your recyclable empty Dasani water bottle as a microphone.
Hey, spontaneity is the spice of life…
2. Attend a random lecture/movie screening/educational thingy that has free food
There’s one nearly everyday. Supplement your meal plan while feeding your mind/soul…
1. MEDITATE
Sheer awesomeness. If you’re religious, spend a little time with your higher power. If you’re not, do some yoga or simply breathe deeply with your eyes closed. Free your mind from worries, connect with something greater than yourself…
That’s all folks. Hopefully, someone found this helpful/amusing. If you did, pay it forward (#5) by leaving me a really nice comment below! If you didn’t, go meditate (#1) and maybe you’ll like my story more after a second read. As for me, I’ve finished my daily blog (#6) so I’m going home to finally do my laundry.
*Note: #7 is an attempt at dry humor and should not be taken seriously. If you have unsavory urges and think you may be a stalker, seek help. I am not responsible for your actions because I’m telling you now: DON’T DO IT. If he/she said they weren’t interested in you and scrunched up their nose as if you stink, then just let it go. He/she wasn’t good enough for you anyway. There are plenty of great singles on eHarmony.
