patience is......

If you don't know this about me already.... I’m the sort of person who likes things to happen quickly.  Like right now... this second.  I don't like to wait... ever.  I like things to be a certain way, and my kids to listen to me.  Simple.... right?  You'd think.

Ok... so “Patience” is definitely something I need to work on and really has never been part of my genetic makeup.  But, as I get older, I’m learning that the most important things in life take time – and often a LOT of effort.  Learning to be patient takes time, and somewhat paradoxically, it takes patience to learn to be patient.  I know... you're all laughing at me.... cause you KNOW just writing about being patient is irritating to me.  Ok.. deep breath.

Good things take time.... and as much as I don't enjoy waiting for ANYTHING... I'm stepping back and am promising myself to try to be more patient with myself and others around me.  Really.  My kids are my biggest patience tester, so I've come up with a plan.....let me know if you think it'll work. 

Count to 10. When I feel myself getting frustrated or angry, I'm gong to stop. Count slowly to 10 in my head.  I'm thinking if I count out loud to 10, my kids will learn quickly that this is a good sign to run away.  Either way is a win.

Pretend someone’s watching. I forgot where I read this tip (a couple places, I think), but I think it may be effective. I'm going to pretend I have an audience... like Johnny Depp.  I think I'd be less likely to overreact if someone’s there watching my every move.  Especially a sexy pirate.

Take a break. Often it’s best just to walk away for a few minutes. I'm going to take a break from the situation, just for 5-10 minutes, let myself calm down, plan out my words and actions and solution, and then come back calm as a monk.  (ok you..... Stop laughing.... )

Lastly.... Just laugh. Sometimes I need to remind myself that no one is perfect, (I most CERTAINLY am not!) that life should be fun — and funny. Smile, laugh, be happy.  I really do love to laugh.... so if you're going to irritate me...make sure you're funny.  :)

For life's BIGGER patience testers... I'm going to try to just try to remind myself of things that make me happy.  Like sunshine, Disney and my awesome family and friends.  If that doesn't work... my best advice to you...... just run.

wow.... it's been that long?

ok ok... it's 2012 and over a month since I've written anything.  Ya know... excuses excuses.  I could make up a million... and they'd all be pretty convincing.  Truth of the matter is...... yeah.... I've got nothin.


Those that know me are well aware that I thrive on procrastination.  I love doing things last minute... thrive on pressure.  Have been this way FOREVER.  Drives most absolutely crazy... yet intrigues them as well as to how I'm always able to pull stuff off without a hitch.  It's a talent... don't try it at home until you've mastered the art.  I've had my pitfalls... but with a positive attitude and a lot of smoke and mirrors.. I've become pretty good at it.

So let's talk about this.... procrastination.  Good or bad?


The most impressive people I know are all terrible procrastinators. So could it be that procrastination isn't always bad?

I looked online and most people who write about procrastination write about how to cure it. But this is, strictly speaking, impossible. There are an infinite number of things you could be doing. No matter what you work on, you're not working on everything else. So the question is not how to avoid procrastination, but how to procrastinate well.

So the way I look at it... there are three variants of procrastination, depending on what you do instead of working on something: you could work on (a) nothing, (b) something less important, or (c) something more important. That last type, I'd argue, is good procrastination.


That's the sense in which the most impressive people I know are all procrastinators. They're "C" procrastinators: they put off working on small stuff to work on big stuff.  What's "small stuff?" Roughly, work that has zero chance of being mentioned in your obituary. It's hard to say at the time what will turn out to be your best work (will it be your magnum opus on Sumerian temple architecture, or the detective thriller you wrote under a pseudonym?), but there's a whole class of tasks you can safely rule out: shaving, doing your laundry, cleaning the house, writing thank-you notes—anything that might be called an errand.so.... procrastination is good for your health.  And here's why:

Don’t Stress For Long - Instead of being stressed out about a deadline the day you get it, procrastinate and ball all the stress into one single night right before the due date. Why stress out for six days when you can stress out for one?

Nobody Likes a Worry-Wart - I mean, we all have our freak-out moments, but try to minimize them by getting the stress out of the way in one night and one night only.

More Time During The Day - By procrastinating you have more time to do the other things you need to do to get through the day. You know, things around the house. Throw some parties or go on a road trip.

Do The Work Later - Enjoying life now is more fun than enjoying it when you’re old and decrepit. Your body will thank you for not becoming all wrinkly and fidgety when you’re old. Plus your body can handle more strenuous activities when you’re young – like hang gliding, cliff diving, bungee jumping, kayaking, and ski diving.  I do them all the time!

Good Things Come To Those Who Wait - Hey, maybe you’ll win the lottery in the time you spent avoiding work.

Stress And Anxiety Cause Acne - It’s science. Look it up!

I know you're all shaking your heads (SMH! :)) and wondering if I should be on some type of anti- delusional medication.  Bottom line is.. I like being last minute.  I love starting dinner for 10 at 4:00 and kinda still not have the menu totally planned.  Throwing it all together at the last minute is refreshing... and FUN!  The fact of the matter is that we live in a go-go-go society where everyone is expected to be constantly running from one place to another, multi-tasking and working overtime. Our brains simply get tired out. MY worst procrastination occurs when I'm overtired and overstressed, which might indicate something. Could it be that avoiding work is the mind's way of telling us to slow down? Finding yourself vegging out in front of a stupid movie when you ought to be working on a last minute report is a good indication that you might need to stop cramming so much into your day. Saying no.... can be a good thing.

Bottom line... Procrastinating isn't bad. Avoiding the bigger issue to clear away the debris of a noisy mind is a positive and healthy thing to do. It'll make it a lot easier to start with the bigger things..... tomorrow. :)