Maybe later...

It's funny. People say to me all the time – I don't know how you get so many things done all the time! If they only knew. I nod my head, take the compliment. But deep down, it bothers me a little because I know the truth. If I didn’t procrastinate so much, I’d really be knocking things off the list!

So, let's start there. I make lists – lots of them. (At Christmas time my pockets are overflowing with gift lists, food lists, schedules, etc. etc.) And I have the best of intentions. On Sunday afternoon, I head to my office, review the stacks on the floor, and the piles on the desk – and then I start.

First, there's the client list – meeting dates, project deadlines, calls, and research. All of it goes on the list.

Just below that is my teaching list. I check the syllabus to make sure I'm not too far behind, review the chapter information, create writing assignments, and update the grade book. Each item is tagged with the day I intend to complete it.

The company list is next – prospective client contacts, current project check-ins, meetings, and conference calls. Now don't laugh too hard, but I also have a physical calendar on my desk with all the bill paying dates noted even though I pay everything online. I still like to have those in front of me as a reminder. Depending upon the time of the month, I also have notes to do invoices and balance the checkbook.

Finally, there’s the personal list. Reminders to buy birthday cards and presents and go to the UPS store to ship them. I have a list of dates that I’m needed to take the kids to school in the morning and a reminder to take my mother-in-law to her doctor appointments and to the grocery store each Monday. I have a list of books and wine to procure and items to pick up at Bed Bath & Beyond. (The grocery list is separate and downstairs.)

You would think I could efficiently power through it all. Cross things off! Watch the list grow shorter and shorter. And, of course, some items are non-negotiable. None of it is hard, but time can be a variable – how long do I think it will take to do that newsletter? Reply to an RFP? Research information for class? At the end of the week, there should be very little on the list, right? Sigh. It hasn't happened yet. And I know exactly why.

Maybe later.
Gee, it’s getting late in the day. Maybe I’ll finish that report in the morning.
I really should put a load of laundry in and maybe run the dishwasher. Oh, that’s right, the dishwasher isn’t draining right. I’d better call the repairman now. I’ll get back to my project later.
What a dreary day. Just sucks the motivation right out of me, ya know?
Did I remember to take something out of the refrigerator for dinner? Better do that now.
I’m brain dead – there are just no ideas coming to me. I’m going to put this aside and get back to it later.
I’m just going to look at Facebook for a minute. Oh wait, I have a new email. Better check it.

Now there are days I do get in the zone, and the words and ideas just come to me. I love days like that. When I look at the clock and it's already 4 p.m. Whew.

But it's' also true that I will sometimes look at my calendar (online) and see a blank block of hours, and I think – I can get stuff done then. I'm gonna sit and read a book for a while. Or maybe binge a little Netflix.

In the end, I need to remind myself it is okay to take a breath. I will get stuff done because that’s just the way I operate ( and working from home all these years has honed that skill for me.)  The list can always wait until later.