Procrastination...to the bitter end.

Procrastination. It is so easy. Anyone can do it. And it feels so good...at first. But it always comes back and bites you, usually in the face where there is no way to ignore it. I like to think of myself as a careful, responsible procrastinator. I don't procrastinate to the point of no return, only to the point right before the point of no return. And that is a very distinct, important difference. Somehow I just can't quite find sufficient motivation to dig in and do the dirty work of a project until time constraints leave me no other option; imminent due dates seem to serve as sufficient motivation.

This principle is particularly applicable to dreaded college research papers. It's not really my fault or choie that inspiration finally seems to flow during the last few, vital hours before the paper is due. And I can't really help it if those few hours are usually either deep into the night, or in the wee hours of the early morning. I always do the necessary research with plenty of time and the many valiant, if fruitless, attempts that I always make to start the writing process surely help me in the end, right? But regardless of my efforts, the inspiration simply refuses to come until the lack of time demands its presence.

So, the waning time then becomes both friend (bringing inspiration) and foe (bringing the imminent due date closer and closer) in the battle to win the race. Ironically, I have come out triumphant every time, which strengthens my resolve to become an even more avid responsible procrastinator. I'm becoming quite skilled at eliminating all worry and fretting regarding looming due dates, knowing that good old Time will work his magic in the end, demanding inspiration and a little sweat, and producing an acceptable end product.

You might ask if there was anything in particular that inspired a blog on the last day of finals, five months after my last blog. Yes. There most certainly is. The last due date for my final research paper is quickly approaching, but I haven't quite wasted the last possible minute before I'll have no more to spare, so I thought I'd post my thoughts on this silly situation I put myself in. Really, I was just looking for any half-valid excuse to procrastinate a little bit longer. But I feel the first pangs of panic setting in, wondering how on earth I'm going to finish the paper that I have yet to start by this evening, dreading the grueling hours ahead, but knowing that freedom will shortly be mine. So, I'd better go get started...

Responsible procrastination. It works like a charm for college research papers. But I don't think it's an eternal principle. So, I plan on reforming as soon as this paper is finished today...