There are days when I go about pretending to work into the wee hours of the night, not getting enough sleep, and then waking up so late the next day that I have no energy to get anything done.
That includes the thing that I was supposed to work on as well.
As someone who works solitary hours in front of the computer, no one checks on me. No one cares what I do in between getting the brief, and completing the work. As long as it gets done on time, who cares what happens.
As someone who should sign up for ‘Procrastinators Anonymous’, which is perfect for me since the acronym fits my name (maybe I will sign up tomorrow) the work that I do allows me to look busier than I actually am.
That does not mean that I am not constantly thinking of work, or picking apart things I have done.
Nope, it just means that in between doing actual work, there is plenty of idling going on.
Time is wasted getting into the creative process. The absolute bliss of thumb-twiddling, staring off into space, endless Googling and ogling at nothing.
Goofing off and sitting, imagining work would magically be done by the time I wake from the daydream. Yes, it is hogwash, but I am using it to my advantage, so chill.
I sometimes do get a little jealous of those who can constantly churn out work. You know, those who work through lunch, clacking away at keyboards, have back-to-back meetings, planning for projects and getting down to getting things done.
Thinking about it would detract me from dwindling time into oblivion. I am not alone in this. I know I am not.
Many creative types are like this, definitely not those corporate climbers, because nothing would get done if they were not constantly chasing their dream, the money, the fame, the stability, and the glory, or whatever it is that they are chasing.
So, in a world of high functioning, unmotivated procrastinators, how do you stay motivated?
I like to eat. I need to earn money to buy food. That is my number one motivation! Food to fuel me because as lazy as I am, I like to live a little and enjoy the blissful satisfaction of a good meal and a well-timed, mind-numbing snack.
I am also lucky with the people around me. They tend to give me a push.
Push me to write more, push me to find things to occupy my time, even get me to join some hare-brained scheme to get healthy (yes, Graig Nunis of Twentytwo13, I mean you and your 30 days of 5km challenge that has gone on for far more than 60 days!).
Generally, push me into going somewhere, anywhere.
Other things that motivate me to get going? Probably ego. I want to get things done and get them done well to show people that despite my hidden laziness, I can churn out nonsensical, yet sensible nonsense. Make sense?
Then there is also the fact that I do not like to let people down and show them how lazy I actually am. If anyone ever comes into my off-limits room, you can see several half-done projects.
Those who know me know that I love creating full-headed wearable masks out of papier-mache, paper clay and recyclables.
I have a partial Greedo head and a Bith head that is in need of repairs (both Star Wars characters). I have sketches half done, painting projects I want to try, sewing items tacked onto the mannequin, and a full Ewok suit that I made that needs repairs.
So, not only do I procrastinate, I digress plenty, too.
To keep in check, I set timers. The alarm on my phone reminds me to finish certain things at the appointed time. It does not really work most times, but it does, in a way, too. The looming deadlines set by the shrill, annoying tone on the phone always jars me to get going.
Then, I have the constant thought of actual deadlines. Those things scare me into actually lighting a fire up my behind to complete the work.
Panic helps propel me to produce interesting things. Like this hare-brained idea of an article, which I hope people would actually read and enjoy, knowing there are us semi-functioning lazy bums out there.
The time of day is also critical. I find that I work better at night. Daytime distractions are less, and the peaceful darkness of a moonlit sky (as if I work outdoors and not under some fluorescent light in my room *eye roll*) helps the grey cells to rotate.
It is not the same for everyone. Find your time, it helps.
Apart from that, I enjoy what I do. That is also important because once I get a move on, I can move mountains of dusty piles of work left forgotten.
Because enjoying what you do, would motivate you like nothing else can, and especially when it does not even feel like work for you to do it.
Everyone needs a distraction and a reason to procrastinate, sometimes.
If you have read this far, you would have realised that there is no purpose to this article other than to help you to procrastinate and to get your brain to have a detour before you get tucked back into work.
You are welcome.
I knew you needed the distraction. Now go back to work and have a fab day!
This is the personal opinion of the writer and does not necessarily represent the views of Twentytwo13.
