9:45 - draft article.
As a chronic procrastinator, I can assure you that, right now, I feel a sense of impending doom as my deadline approaches. Just over an hour away from submission it seems fitting to be writing this article. I guess you could call it "spontaneous research."
1. You make a lot of lists.
This is key to being an organized procrastinator. This is where the organized part comes into play.
2. Your lists have times on them.
You plan everything to a tee. You are ready to go. The problem is, you never seem to allow enough time for anything. The worst part about these lists is that, due to their extensive detail, they take a long time to make. You'll never admit it, but they probably hurt the process more than they help.
3. You block out minutes for "chill time."
You assume everything will be done true to schedule. I will stay on task. I WILL stay on task. So you plan for what you call "chill time". This is meant to be the relief from all of your hard work, but usually, somehow, the work-to-chill ratio flips.
4. Everything becomes REALLY important.
I must pick out my sweatshirt for tomorrow so that I'm less late in the morning. It is essential that I clean my car right now. When you really need to distract yourself, sometimes, you even do nice things for other people because they do a lot for you- this is the perfect time to empty the dishwasher for your mom. The point is, they are always productive activities, they just might not be the most important things on your list. Nevertheless, you do them.
5. You achieve things but not efficiently.
You don't fail. You achieve what you set your mind to. But there is a lot of stress along the way.
6. Short time frames give you needed structure.
By leaving things to the last minute, you give yourself no time to do things. At some point, the avoidance becomes too much, it is too late and this lights a fire under your butt. You become a really fast typer and a really creative thinker.
7. Your parents hate you, but not really.
The point is, by the time you finally get your act together, it's usually past mom's bedtime. Needless to say, printing at 4 am is not appreciated.
8. You get very little sleep.
This one is self-explanatory.
9. Uhhh...
10. You forget to do things.
9:59 - Submit article.
