Procrastination and the Internet

Anyone who is a procrastinator - please raise your hand.

Yeah, my hand went up.  I'm a procrastinator.  Sometimes, really big time.  In fact, today is a perfect example of my exceedingly bad procrastination.  I do a weekly writing tip (http://www.bobnailor.com/words3.php) and a weekly blog (what you're currently reading) and I tend to wait until the last minute.

Oh sure, I've written posts earlier in the week. In fact, I've even written some of them 2 and 3 weeks in advance of their appearing in cyberspace. I didn't always wait until the last minute.

Today?  I waited until after 11 p.m. to even begin composing my writing tip and due to my "wonderful" high speed internet connection, this is taking even longer.  For some reason, I'm finding myself connected to the "local" network more than the "internet" network.  What does that mean?  No internet connection.

So how does a slow or not connecting internet have any relationship to procrastination?  Simple.  I'm having an awful time getting my writing tip and blog up and into cyberspace. I always try to have it up and posted before midnight so everything is ready to go shortly as midnight on a Monday morning.

My writing tip needed a little research.  One cannot simply whip up a writing tip without some references. Of course, under duress of no continuous connection, references can be omitted if the topic is a simple or easy one.  Obviously, with a crappy connection, I had to change my writing tip to something that I knew and could talk about with some authority.  I love doing character descriptions and defining the cast in my stories.  I want to know who I'm writing about so my readers get to know them, hopefully, as well as I do. Hence, this week's writing tip (http://bit.ly/1vDGcmZ) is about knowing your character.

Normally I will write my blog and writing tip early in the evening on Sunday night since both are due on Monday - my decision.  I get concerned and worried when I haven't started by 9 p.m. and even begin to get antsy by 10 p.m.  At 11 p.m.?  This is the worst-case scenario of procrastination.

It is now almost 1 a.m. on Monday morning and here I am, typing feverishly to get this blog finished.  My writing tip is finally posted and available.

What does dawdling until the last possible moment to begin the dual posts mean?  Simple.  I will, more than likely, write my tip and blog much earlier next week.  I may even compose them during the week.  In fact, there is a good chance I will write a couple of them so I am ahead of the game as the holidays come closer.

Want to know a secret?

I'm a procrastinator.  Next Sunday night will find me scurrying about, attempting to compose a blog and writing tip while fighting with my internet connection.  Some things can change.  Procrastination?  Seldom.

With a little luck and a chance connection - I might even get this posted before 1:15 a.m. but I'm not holding my breath - I know better.

Are you a procrastinator?  Were you a procrastinator?  How did you beat the odds and become timely OR still remain a procrastinator?  Share your experiences - I need help.

Hi, everybody. My name is Bob Nailor and I'm a procrastinator.

Until next I ramble on...