Cup of Inspiration

Today, March 4, kicks off National Procrastination Week. This week we put off those things that can be put off for the week in favor of activities that bring us pleasure. However, the emphasis is to balance your schedule to make this a possibility.

I imagine we can all relate to the feeling that there are not enough hours in a day. How often do you feel that you need 48 hours to get everything done in a 24-hour day? There’s family, work, various other activities that fill our time. Of course, in between everything we have to squeeze in little things like eating and sleeping. We’ll run ourselves ragged till we finally have to take a week vacation, or even just one day off, to refresh ourselves for a few short hours. Then we go back to the crazy schedule, living for that next moment when we can pull away from everything.

This is a common scenario to which many of us can relate. At some point in our lives, we have tried to burn the candle at both ends. You may be in this situation now, or you may be getting ready to move into this period. You play the “I’ll stop when….” You tell yourself that you’ll stop when the school year ends. You’ll take a break when that project at work wraps up. You’ll take a break when that conference is over, or some other event your planning is finally done. There is always something that can pull us into this never-ending cycle of work and stress to get everything done.

National Procrastination Week reminds us that there are some things that can wait. Also, there are some things that we can try to manage so it doesn’t all hit at once. To prepare for National Procrastination Week, people are encouraged to create their to-do lists in advance, work on getting some tasks done early so this week can be used to go on a day trip, for example. Prepare ahead of time so you can go out to lunch with some friends this week.

While the name “National Procrastination Week” at first sounds like a license to just put off work, it isn’t. It’s a reminder to look for balance. If something can be put till off tomorrow so you can take a much-needed mental break today, you should. Tomorrow you’ll be refreshed and perhaps a little more productive as a result. If something can’t wait, try to plan it out over several days beforehand. Perhaps put in an extra 15 minutes a day for several days leading up to your day off. Then you will still be free to go for that lunch outing with friends.

This week, review how you plan your day. There is no one single correct way. Perhaps you use one of the various software tools that will notify you of upcoming due dates. Perhaps you are old school and enjoy a Franklin planner sitting on your desk to manage your day. You may use a little bit of both technologies (I’m in this category.) However you do it, make sure when you are making out your to-do list, you include time to just relax.

Throughout a typical week, plan on tackling items a little early so you can have that free afternoon with friends. Get a little head start on a project on a Thursday so you can have a free weekend with family. Go into work a little early one day so you can leave a little early and enjoy a nice book that evening. Also, it’s okay to say “no” to some things to free up more time in your week. Remember, you don’t always have to take on more work.

This week, make time for yourself, and put off things that can actually wait till next week. Then next week, work hard, but continue scheduling a little time for yourself throughout the week, even if it is just for an hour. Basically, do not wait till you are exhausted and ready to collapse before you think of your mental health.