Ingenious methods of procrastination

[Pure]

Ingenious methods of proscrastination.

Here's is one of mine. Have you got any that others find find useful?

Every writer needs 'em. Everyone in a house needing repairs, and so on.

Yes, they're all a bit transparent, but i'm not so interested in the obvious, like.. watching TV, surfing the 'net, grooming a pet.

Here's one i've found very useful. The Method of Prerequisites.

Task: To repaint the ceiling in a room.

To carry this out, there are prerequisites: one needs paint and a brush and a ladder.

Paint: It bears reflecting, what kind? What's up there now?

Further prerequisite One must determine the shade. Well, it's late afternoon, so the light is not accurate.

One should probably do this in the morning, tomorrow.

Also, before buying any paint, maybe there's some stored somewhere. Must have a look.

No, none here, then better find that store i went to last time. check yellow pages. So many entries.

Similarly, before buying a new brush, best see if there's an old one in good shape.

I'm not sure where to look, so i' best call my SO. She will know.
---

At some point in the impossible complexity, another task will demand attention; the phone will ring, or a kid will come home and want a snack. Best reconsider tomorrow. Recheck shade, etc.

 

[Songcatcher]

Who are your parents?

 

[Katyusha]

I like the method of prerequisites too. But that process can easily morph the method into the "There are more important things to be done along with this task but I need some answers first" method.

Task: vacuuming the carpets

Best to sweep the hard floors before vacuuming the carpet. The litter boxes are on the hard floors, they kick litter everywhere, you don't want to track more litter onto the freshly vacuumed carpet.

Litter boxes should probably be changed, which should be done before the floors are swept, lest little pieces of litter spill outside the boxes as they're changed and I have to sweep again. Do we have any fresh litter? No? Ah, well, gotta go to the store and get some then.

While I'm fixing to head to the store, is there anything else we need? Might as well get it while I'm there. Ah...hubby said something about something this morning but I can't remember what it was. He's not answering his phone. And I should make a list anyway and there isn't time for that if I'm going to get the carpets and litter boxes done before dinner.

Probably should do this tomorrow when I have all the answers I need.

 

[Stella_Omega]

Fuck it, I'm playing another round of freecell...

 

[MzDeviancy]

Task: Get my ass to the gym

Prereqs: Better check email. Oh, better check Facebook, too. You know, while I'm at it, should see what's happening on Literotica. Oh, I have a couple of PMs, better reply before going to the gym. Well, since I'm here, I may as well go on AH. Ah, a thread about procrastinating! This is obviously a better use of time than going to the gym.

Okay, I've sufficiently shamed myself. I'm getting up now. Thank you , Pure!

 

[D_K_Moon]

I NEVER procrastinate! I just wait until tomorrow. Or possibly the day after.

 

[cloudy]

I'm a superhero: the Procrastinator!

"I'll do it...EVENTUALLY!"

There's always groceries to buy, bills to pay, clothes to wash, dogs to walk, karate class, karate practice....

 

[D_K_Moon]

I'm a superhero: the Procrastinator!

"I'll do it...EVENTUALLY!"

There's always groceries to buy, bills to pay, clothes to wash, dogs to walk, karate class, karate practice....

I think I'll take a nap.

 

[OzoneRed]

I've got some pretty good procrastination strategies, but I see that the 5 o'clock is on, so maybe I'll post them tomorrow.

 

[Handley_Page]

I really must go shopping for that item I desperately need.
Do I NEED it ?
Have a coffee and a think
Read book whilst mulling over the problem

Z Z Z z z z . . .​

 

[Svenskaflicka]

Swedish song:

"Mother's little lazy boy said:
you can bet ya I work hard
but right today is not OK
I'll do it some other day.

Tomorrow, I'll work hard
all day long
tomorrow I'll bust my back,
oy, oy,oy,
I'll be busy!

So you see, because of that
I have to take it VERY easy today,
and if you feel like me,
if you feel like me,
I'll do it some other day!"

You'll NEVER guess who sang that...

 

[JackLuis]

Hunh?

 

[TE999]

'Never put off 'till tomorrow, what you can put off today.'

 

[Pure]

the method of research

this method works best on items with technical specifications. but it can be used, with a little creativity, for purchases of books [subtle variations of editions, rev. editions], or even things like lawn grass seeds.

example task: find and buy a 15" laptop.

research at one site, say costco. start your list with models and prices.

then check another site.

note the slight variations of model identifiers, further, the variations make comparisons almost impossible--e.g. between the HP Pavillion G61-400 and the Pavillion dm3-1130ca.

realize that the final letters may denote country where the items is marketed and/or available.

continue research, building up a list, after noting such things as specials, and 'free delivery' offers.

choose the best item and seller from your list.

go back to the the seller's site. note the little words 'open box'. decide not to risk,

so go to the sites again and delete items which are 'open box' or similarly labeled, etc.

by the time you have visited 3-4 sites, you be hopelessly bogged in information.

give yourself a well deserved break, and start the process over tomorrow. note that, at certain sites, the 'special' expired yesterday. so a re canvas is necessary to update one's list

 

[AllardChardon]

When the need to procrastinate strikes, usually with a sink full of dishes, I design sexy tags to send to my friends over at TAGGED.com. Since it is creative, I fool myself into thinking I am accomplishing something, instead of just avoiding housework.

 

[MzDeviancy]

Task: Need to go for a run.

Procrastination techniques: Check email, check facebook, check Lit. Oh, now look at the time! Tell myself it's too late to go for a run.

You know what, I like this thread. Verbalizing my horseshit shames me into getting off my ass.

 

[Pure]

visiting AH and Lit has advantages. if besides PMs, one reads threads or stories, then it's time to re check email and facebook.

 

[Xelebes]

Swedish song:

"Mother's little lazy boy said:
you can bet ya I work hard
but right today is not OK
I'll do it some other day.

Tomorrow, I'll work hard
all day long
tomorrow I'll bust my back,
oy, oy,oy,
I'll be busy!

So you see, because of that
I have to take it VERY easy today,
and if you feel like me,
if you feel like me,
I'll do it some other day!"

You'll NEVER guess who sang that...

Basshunter? Gunther?

 

[MzDeviancy]

visiting AH and Lit has advantages. if besides PMs, one reads threads or stories, then it's time to re check email and facebook.

Exactly. Someone could have sent me something life-altering in the time since I've been diddling around on here.