How to Not Raise Procrastinators (When You are One)

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As I write this post, inevitably in my only free minutes on the day that it’s due, I’m well aware of the irony of it. Truly, I see it. And I guess if I’m being honest, that’s why I’m writing this. 

If you were looking for a fount of wisdom, I sincerely apologize because I’m just as lost as you are, pal. My oldest just started school this year and it got me thinking, if I wait for the last minute to do things how in the world am I going to teach him not to?

So, as an actively practicing procrastinator, here is my list of ways to keep your child from joining the club:

  1. Set up false due dates. Does this work? I don’t know. Maybe when your kids are young. I tried to do this for myself in college but I always knew I’d done it and so I knew that I never had to finish things by the date I had put on the calendar. I outsmarted my own stinkin’ system.
  2. Let your child fail. Does this work? Probably not. I wouldn’t know. My parents always begrudgingly helped me put the pedal to the metal the night before something was due. I remember once, at 9:00pm, my dad was out in the garage sawing a piece of wood into the shape of an anteater. (Thanks dad, you’re the real MVP).
  3. Do everything for them. Does this work? NO! It’s a trap! Don’t do this. Just put the glue stick down and nobody gets hurt. (Also, everyone will know little Jimmy doesn’t know how to use a Cricut machine and when he wins the science fair nobody will be happy for him. Boo.)
  4. Remind them, over and over and over again. Does this work? It didn’t for me. But good luck. May the odds be ever in your favor.

Maybe there’s no way around it. Maybe procrastinators are just going to procrastinate. And maybe that’s ok. Honestly, it worked for me. I got all A’s in elementary school (except one B in gym class, but I’m not bitter), graduated in the top 10% of my class in high school, and was the top student in my field at my university. 

Evidently, I work well under pressure. Take that, professor who told me there was no way to get a good grade if you did the paper the night before! (I got an A by the way.)

So while it is not good to procrastinate on say, paying bills, writing wedding vows, completing your senior research project, turning in preschool forms, or taking showers (not that I would know from experience or anything), maybe a little bit of time limit based motivation is ok?

What do you think? 

PS – I totally submitted this a few hours early. #champion

2 COMMENTS

  1. I’ve gotten better with age as far as procrastination goes. But I distinctly remember using that phrase, “I work best under pressure!” many times when I was younger. And bless sweet parents who help their procrastinating kids … your dad with the saw and my mom with many a “crafty art” project!

  2. I am the opposite of a procrastinator, and thought of putting it off until the last minute makes me break out in sweats and hives. But after living with my husband for six years now, I’ve learned that some people just work best as procrastinators. And I’ve learned to let that be.

    So, procrastinators unite…tomorrow!

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