Last week was a week of to-do lists.
A week of writing them.
Not a week of completing items on them.
I seemed to forget that simply writing down what I need to do isn’t the same as doing them. It’s not even getting halfway there.
It’s just yet another way of putting off the actual doing of them.
So when you finally call to book that appointment, the places are all taken.
When you finally finish that short story and submit it for consideration, you learn that entries closed last week.
When you finally get to the library to borrow the book you placed on hold, it’s been taken off hold and someone else has borrowed it.
When you finally call kindergartens about their 2014 three-year-old kindergarten programs, they cluck despairingly and lament that you might have left it too late.
When you finally send the invoice for your last paying job pre-bub, you realise you’re probably not going to see the money before you’re actually holding that bub.
And when you finally write that blog post about procrastination, it has really just become yet another form of procrastination. Because you still don’t have an appointment. You still don’t have the book. You still don’t have a spot for your daughter in kinder next year. And you still don’t have the money.
Perhaps I need a to-do list that looks more like this:

A friend of mine posted this on facebook. If anyone knows the source, please let me know. |
Perhaps not.
I’ve already learnt that you can always find a reason to procrastinate. That you have to make things happen.
Looks like I need to learn it again. Procrastination, begone!
Ooh, the Oscars are on…
Do you procrastinate? How do you avoid procrastination’s evil clutches when your to-do list is longer than <think of something long to add in here later>?
Kim Frost says
I’m a master. The more concerned you are with doing things ‘well’ the more likely you are to put them off (or so I tell myself)!
Oh, PS – can you see I’m applying for jobs right now while I’m reading your blog?
Emily says
My blog is an excellent place to look for work!
And I agree. Perfectionism is the perfect excuse for procrastination!
Deb @ home life simplified says
I love to make lists and rewrite them and then do an easy thing – all stalling while i avoid the thing that really needs doing that i am too intinidated by to get onto today (hmm i did nothing today but did watch an episiode of castle and read listmania posts LOL)
Emily says
Reading Listmania posts is very important! And fun.
Rhianna SG says
Oh yeah baby procrastinating Queen here, Queen I tell you. I don’t actually even bother with the to do lists any more, I realised that they don’t actually make things get done. I swear this post could have had my name at the end! Fairy wishes and butterfly kisses lovely.
Emily says
Thank you for visiting, your royal procrastinationy highness!
Angels have Red Hair says
I can always find something better to do than the thing I should be doing … always … every single moment of every single day … even right now at THIS moment ;0)
Emily says
What could be more important than reading my blog?!
Bronnie Marquardt says
I like to write lists after I’ve done the jobs, then I can cross them off as well.
Emily says
BRILLIANT! You win best comment of the day. Of the week. Of ALL TIME.
happylan says
Yep, I’m a major procrastinator too. I like to tell myself I just work better under pressure, but I don’t think that is strictly true.
Emily says
Yeah, I’m pretty sure I’ve used that one too!
Rhianna SG says
Yep I have thought this as well! Great minds all thinking alike 😉
Jodi Gibson says
Oh procrastination is a killer when she bites!
allison tait says
I have days like this all the time! Thanks for Rewinding.
Kylah (@IntrepidMonkeys) says
Ha ha, so true. I always procrastinate by doing the easy things on my to-list first. When I’m feeling particularly motivated, or if I know I need to attack the to-do list, I pick one of the harder things and do that first. Alas, more often than not it’s the former that happens.
Alyson Hill says
That’s me in a nutshell! I procrastinate by turning to one of my projects….like suddenly upholstering a chair…it makes me feel somewhat productive 🙂 great rewind!