Down to the Wire

I like to think that I have procrastination down to an art. Because I am so talented, so smart, so something, I have honed my ability to wait until the last possible moment to begin a task and still finish it well.

The thing is? That’s not really true. I often finish a project or chore by the skin of my teeth, disappointed in myself for once again not producing something that I can be proud of. Whether I’m talking about writing a news release, cleaning the bathroom or scrapbooking the hundreds of photos I took during my daughter’s first year, procrastination weighs me down and prevents me from doing my best.

However, in the spirit of April 14 – the day before taxes are due and yes, the day I will finally finish and file my taxes – I thought I’d find some funny quotes to back up my tendency to procrastinate. Perhaps these quotes really don’t exist.

Or perhaps they do, and I just couldn’t find them. Because I’m in a hurry. Because I put off writing this post.

Riiiiiiight.

Here’s a sampling of what I found. Please if you, like me, enjoy the act of procrastination, do not prepare to be inspired, encouraged or otherwise cheered up.

• How soon “not now” becomes “never”. (Martin Luther)
• Procrastination is, hands down, our favorite form of self-sabotage. (Alyce P. Cornyn-Selby)
• Procrastination is the bad habit of putting of until the day after tomorrow what should have been done the day before yesterday. (Napoleon Hill)
• Procrastination is the thief of time: Year after year it steals, till all are fled, And to the mercies of a moment leaves The vast concerns of an eternal scene. (Edward Young)
• Procrastination is one of the most common and deadliest of diseases and its toll on success and happiness is heavy. (Wayne Gretzky)
• Procrastination usually results in sorrowful regret. Today's duties put off until tomorrow give us a double burden to bear; the best way is to do them in their proper time. (Ida Scott Taylor)
• Nothing is so fatiguing as the eternal hanging on of an uncompleted task. (William James)
• In delay there lies no plenty. (William Shakespeare)
• Things may come to those who wait, but only the things left by those who hustle. (Abraham Lincoln)
• How does a project get to be a year behind schedule? One day at a time. (Fred Brooks)
• Procrastination is opportunity's assassin. (Victor Kiam)

The only person I found in favor of putting off today what can be done tomorrow was Mary Todd Lincoln, wife of the diligent and disciplined Abraham. She said, “My evil genius Procrastination has whispered me to tarry 'til a more convenient season.”

Ah yes, “my evil genius.” I love that!

So, as I look forward to a late night of number crunching and panic, I leave you with this video that my fellow procrastinator, Chelley, found last year.



Do you procrastinate? What are your tips for staying on task? Or, if you’re normal – I mean, like me – how do you pass the time as you put off your most important and pressing projects?