I see people every day who work hard and do everything they need to get done. I often wonder if everyone out in the world is like that. Like they've got all of their stuff together. It doesn't take long for me to realize that's not true...
Meet...me.
(Hi there!)
When most people see me walking around at my college campus, they see me with my books falling out of my arms or my bag spilling over with them. The picture you would see of one of those nerdy types who's always pushing up their glasses.
I was recently told by a classmate that I was an over achiever. Oh, if he only knew...
Because there's this other Kaitlyn who does things like this...
Because there's this other Kaitlyn who does things like this...
(Photo taken while attempting to write an essay.)
It might be my biggest downfall.
You're probably wondering what exactly that is...right?
You're probably wondering what exactly that is...right?
Well, I procrastinate. A LOT. I sit around and do nothing hoping that maybe, just maybe, my homework and other duties will miraculously be done when I turn around. Only to have the work pile and the messes pile up around me.
This is something I've struggled with ever since I was young. I remember when I was in elementary school, I would go out and play with my friends instead of doing my homework, which later turned into bad grades, getting grounded, and not being able to go to ballet practice.
Today I am distracted by other things. Mostly the internet, which is the stupidest thing ever. My procrastination doesn't necessarily lead to bad grades (because I know the consequences weigh heavier now if I don't get my work done before the next class), but it sure does lead to chaos and unwanted stress around me.
As I've mentioned a couple of times on this handy dandy blog, the hip-hop dance team I'm a part of is reading through the bible together this year. We have certain verses to read every day of the week and we discuss them at our next practice. For the past two weeks it's been a huge struggle trying to juggle my homework, duties around my house, and keeping up with my verses. It was a lot, and I shut down. I sat there last Thursday night with the team and I had only read one day for that week. ONE DAY! How the heck is that even cool? Not only is it not cool, but I wasn't being spiritually fed for the whole week.
As I've mentioned a couple of times on this handy dandy blog, the hip-hop dance team I'm a part of is reading through the bible together this year. We have certain verses to read every day of the week and we discuss them at our next practice. For the past two weeks it's been a huge struggle trying to juggle my homework, duties around my house, and keeping up with my verses. It was a lot, and I shut down. I sat there last Thursday night with the team and I had only read one day for that week. ONE DAY! How the heck is that even cool? Not only is it not cool, but I wasn't being spiritually fed for the whole week.
More embarrassingly, the only thing i had to show for it was excuse on top of excuse.I felt like I was back in the 4th grade scrounging around for some sort of explanation that I wasn't going to find.
I can hear my mom saying it now "Take responsibility for your own actions, Kaitlyn."
(My mom's words to me from when I was younger haunt me every day now, but that's another story for a different day.)
I left practice last Thursday with a plan of attack. A plan of action. Whatever you want to call it. I prefer attack. It sounds more...aggressive. Like I'm really going to get things done around here.
Friday morning I made a list. Very similar to the one above, but without the "sit and wait until it gets itself done...". I don't want to walk back into dance practice on Thursday night unprepared. I want to be able to walk in there and be able to raise my hand when asked if I did all of my reading and exercising for the week. And dang it...
I will!
Friday morning I made a list. Very similar to the one above, but without the "sit and wait until it gets itself done...". I don't want to walk back into dance practice on Thursday night unprepared. I want to be able to walk in there and be able to raise my hand when asked if I did all of my reading and exercising for the week. And dang it...
I will!
Another post will be coming shortly that includes my plan of attack.
Stay tuned!
Do you struggle with distractions? How do you get rid of them?
Oh my gosh, YES I do. When I finally focus, I can work for good stretches of time. Until then, I float, unsure of where to start.
ReplyDeleteMy Discipleship group has been working with me to find ways to stay in step with life.
One thing that's been massively helpful is taking some time each week to just think and write down all the things that I need to do that week. Then I can look at my calendar and "book" myself for those activities: i.e. make this phone call, write this letter, read this chapter. I also have a list of ongoing projects I want to be working on. It's all in a nifty little binder I got from my church!
Most importantly, I have to constantly as God for wisdom in using my time. When I sense it's time to start or stop doing something, I know I need to obey and just do it. Things fall into place so beautifully that way.
Hope this helps! Your To-Do list is super pretty, btw =)
I am procrastinating right now. We just started a new study at our staff devotions, and I'm supposed to read chapter 2. It's 10:43 and I haven't started and I'm on the internet reading blogs. :)
ReplyDeleteBut no, I've always been just like that. I used to stress my friend Gisele out SO bad because when we were in college, she'd do her assignments days in advance, and I'd be like "yeah, I got this paper due... in a couple days... I haven't really started." terrible.
I think Jaclyn has the right idea. Make lists, stick to it. And take small steps. Maybe you won't get everything done at once, but setting small goals will help.
And if you'll excuse me... I'm gonna go read chapter 2 so I can go to bed. =)
Yes. How do I deal with it? I've learned to schedule myself for the tiniest things. Really, I wouldn't get anything done if I didn't have most everything planned. I rarely do anything spontaneously. I have to know what I'm doing before I do it. That helps me to progress. I have one thing I know I need to do right now, and then I do it. Then I can move on to the next thing. Then once that's done, I move to the next. I work well having small goals that I can tackle one at a time. If I don't make a plan and then put on blinders against whatever it is I'm not working on in that moment, then I get too overwhelmed.
ReplyDelete