I’m into productive procrastination. I made a mindfulness tile (L) reminding myself to observe when and why I procrastinate. Here I wrote about polymer procrastination (valuable indeed as it resulted in nicely decorated tools). I wrote here about exploratory procrastination – valuable in leading me to the gorgeous Katwise. And here I alluded to my current, almost desperate need to have the luxury of ANY procrastination.
After three exhausting months, I am trying to be gentle with myself.
There’s a long list of reasonably urgent to-dos, but I know I have to slow down. I tend to push until I drop. And then drop big time. I am trying to avoid old patterns and to acknowledge my need to muck around….procrastinate.
I am using the strategy of timed blocks of activity. Whether enjoyable or slightly onerous, required or seemingly pointless, I am doing things in short blocks of time. If there is flow, I will go with it and work for longer, if not, I know I have a time limit and this helps me focus. I’ve found that tasks become more manageable once I start them if I have this I will just do twenty minutes mind set. Sometimes, I even finish what I had to do!
This is why Daniel Torres‘ post here in his Creative Entrepreneur Daily blog really resonated. Daniel talks about being ready, having a few projects on the go. I have several polymer related projects on the go, an online course I am doing, a course I am writing, and Samunnat work. Working on each of these for short periods has meant I have actually done something instead of getting so overwhelmed that I just do Sudokos or read blogs about going grey. (Yup, G-Day is April 2015) This is part of what Daniel describes as procrastinating to SOMETHING. He says:
Never procrastinate to nothing. Now, reading is an occupation. Writing notes, cutting out pictures from a magazine, are occupations. Going for a walk is an occupation. Meditating is an occupation. Sleeping is an occupation. Watching TV is an occupation.
All of them are occupations as long as you are into them actively, mindfully, positively and joyfully. If you are procrastinating with something that makes you
feel guilty or just uneasy, stop and change it. You can come back to it later. Switch between tasks. Choose the one that will make you free of any unrest, fear or guilt by the sole fact of doing it, at that very moment and place. Then go for it and enjoy it.
For me this works. Part of it is reframing how I labelled my work style. Rather than seeing myself as scatty and unfocussed, I am learning how to work with my multi passionate nature and going with it mindfully. I am getting more done and feeling less stressed. I think I am lowering my expectations of myself too but that may not be a bad thing! I have posted some photos of my polymer procrastination. Limiting myself to a palette of Black and White and varieties of Skinner Blends was a deliberate way to focus. It’s been fun.
More soon!
Still working on the Black and White Skinner Blend push the envelope activities. More results pictured! I have played with overlapping discs for years with varied success. Louise Fischer Cozzi taught a great technique in her Craftcast class which I applied in the necklace on the left. When I strung up the large bead necklace (below right) it looked reminiscent of Melanie West’s necklace which became the Travelling Sisterhood necklace! I acknowledge the spirit of that in this creation even though that was not my original intention!!
And finally, as a deaf person, I loved: If the person you are talking to doesn’t appear to be listening, be patient. It may simply be that he has a small piece of fluff in his ear [Ed: or deaf].
Young’s 
