I Skipped Work for the Day

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Abstract

rt this writing career earlier in my life (the answer — yes, it is).I’ve had the task of ‘start pitching for clients’ on my to-do list for a couple of weeks now, amongst other action points that are long ticked off. It’s easy to come up with a to-do list of meaty action points when you know darn well it’s in the future, and the future isn’t set in stone. You’re still taking action — or planning to take action- pat yourself on the back. The problem is, I’m very comfortable with moving my unfinished tasks of the day onto my task list for the following day. Even if it means I never actually do the task, I’m good as long as it’s on the list. I can do that until infinity.So Sunday night, when I should have been doing a Tony Robbins on my mindset, I instead announced to the kids we were doing a spontaneous day trip and picnic to a swimming hole about an hour from home (snapshot above). I’m only accountable to myself now — no need to worry about that call to the boss in the morning with a fake cough and sniffle (though I guess no one is doing that these days).It was a fabulous day. It was quiet (as you’d expect for a Monday), it was peaceful, and not too hot. We ate and swam in the rich silty water, which was cool and invigorating. The swing rope provided lots of fun for the kids (definitely not me, but I was tempted!). My brain switched off from the lists, the chores, the plans, and I just enjoyed the day of simple pleasures. I soaked up some sun

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and fresh air and breathed it all in.While I may have been procrastinating by taking the day off, the truth is I have been really, really busy for the past few months getting all my ducks in order. I have a few projects on the go for (hopefully) multiple revenue streams, and there is just so much to learn after the relatively safe world of permanent full-time employment. The learning is great because I love to learn, but also not great because learning takes time. And once you’ve done the learning — you need to do the doing. Because for all that learning to mesh into your brain and become a knowing, you have to get your hands dirty and do something for real. This is all a roundabout way of saying — I was feeling a little worn out. So no regrets — my brain and spirit needed it.And you know what? When Tuesday came knocking, I hit the ground running with a clear head and clear intention (and maybe a little of guilt to push me on). The LinkedIn profile didn’t get done, but I did start pitching for clients. I worked on launching myself on Facebook; I built up my Medium following. And of course, I wrote. Here I am on a Wednesday afternoon, writing again. I’ve hit my 100 followers and have signed up and been accepted into the MPP. What a week — and I’ve still got a couple of days to go. Sometimes putting off until tomorrow what can be done today is OK. Sometimes you can have the reward before you do the work.Life on my terms.</article></body>

Why procrastination is not always a waste of time

Local swimming hole (photo courtesy of the author)

“Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.” — Ferris Bueller

Today is Wednesday. My week did not start as I had intended. The previous Friday afternoon, I was full of optimism for my first ‘proper’ week of freelancing. In particular — freelancing as a copywriter. I was being super organized in the way I always get when starting a new project. That meant razor-sharp focus, a flutter of excitement in my belly, and lists. Lots of lists.

When Monday rolled around — I should have been up early to unleash myself at the keyboard. But no — late Sunday evening I had an attack of the jitters. My main goal for the week ahead was to give my LinkedIn profile a kick up the proverbial and start hustling for real clients. Not friends, or friends of a friend, or worse still, avoid people altogether and make up a practice piece for my sad little portfolio (I’ve done this). No — I was planning to go hustling for a genuine bonafide client — who pays real bonafide money. Never in my life have I done such a thing. Maybe that was a big part of why I didn’t start this writing career earlier in my life (the answer — yes, it is).

I’ve had the task of ‘start pitching for clients’ on my to-do list for a couple of weeks now, amongst other action points that are long ticked off. It’s easy to come up with a to-do list of meaty action points when you know darn well it’s in the future, and the future isn’t set in stone. You’re still taking action — or planning to take action- pat yourself on the back. The problem is, I’m very comfortable with moving my unfinished tasks of the day onto my task list for the following day. Even if it means I never actually do the task, I’m good as long as it’s on the list. I can do that until infinity.

So Sunday night, when I should have been doing a Tony Robbins on my mindset, I instead announced to the kids we were doing a spontaneous day trip and picnic to a swimming hole about an hour from home (snapshot above). I’m only accountable to myself now — no need to worry about that call to the boss in the morning with a fake cough and sniffle (though I guess no one is doing that these days).

It was a fabulous day. It was quiet (as you’d expect for a Monday), it was peaceful, and not too hot. We ate and swam in the rich silty water, which was cool and invigorating. The swing rope provided lots of fun for the kids (definitely not me, but I was tempted!). My brain switched off from the lists, the chores, the plans, and I just enjoyed the day of simple pleasures. I soaked up some sun and fresh air and breathed it all in.

While I may have been procrastinating by taking the day off, the truth is I have been really, really busy for the past few months getting all my ducks in order. I have a few projects on the go for (hopefully) multiple revenue streams, and there is just so much to learn after the relatively safe world of permanent full-time employment. The learning is great because I love to learn, but also not great because learning takes time. And once you’ve done the learning — you need to do the doing. Because for all that learning to mesh into your brain and become a knowing, you have to get your hands dirty and do something for real. This is all a roundabout way of saying — I was feeling a little worn out. So no regrets — my brain and spirit needed it.

And you know what? When Tuesday came knocking, I hit the ground running with a clear head and clear intention (and maybe a little of guilt to push me on). The LinkedIn profile didn’t get done, but I did start pitching for clients. I worked on launching myself on Facebook; I built up my Medium following. And of course, I wrote. Here I am on a Wednesday afternoon, writing again. I’ve hit my 100 followers and have signed up and been accepted into the MPP. What a week — and I’ve still got a couple of days to go. Sometimes putting off until tomorrow what can be done today is OK. Sometimes you can have the reward before you do the work.

Life on my terms.