Procrastination. It's been one of my strong suits since I was a kid. From elementary school promises to my parents that, "Yeah, all my homework is done!" – with the plan to get up and finish at 3:00 in the morning - to the always present thought process of "Oh, I have plenty of time, it can wait until later,” I have been an expert at the art of delaying tasks that I need to do.
One of the most effective tools in the art of procrastination is the List. Planning is, of course, a necessary part of any process. Planning is like laying the rails for a train route - done well, it makes the actual task a foregone conclusion. If you plan an event properly, the event itself happens mostly on it's own. The roadmap for the planning process is the list - a step-by-step guide to goals and the steps needed to achieve them.
I've been putting together a List of my own for this blog. It is a list of things that I want to do, things that will take me out of my comfort zone. Each is a challenge it's own way. Some are physical challenges, from yoga to getting a tattoo. There are artistic areas to explore, like improv and straight theatre. There are classes to take, to revisit old interests and discover new ones.
Those who know me well will not be surprised to find a broad range of social interaction on my List. Few areas of life are as daunting or complex as the maze of human interaction, and there is no comfort zone quite as cozy and safe and easy as keeping to one's self. But it sets a pattern that not only robs us of shared experiences, but also denies others the value of our company. We cannot evaluate what that value is. That is up to others to decide. All we can do is offer ourselves, warts and all, to others, and let them accept us. To me, that is an unparalleled act of bravery. This is an aspiration.
Just as we all have our own crosses to bear and demons to face, we all have our own List. Maybe mine and yours have some things in common. Maybe your comfort zone overlaps mine. We'll see. That the comfort zone exists is a universal abstract, but the concrete is an individual one. Along with my own adventures outside of my comfort zone, I plan to share the experiences of some of my friends. Everyone has had them - with varied results. I want to hear some of yours. Don't be surprised if we sit down for coffee one day and I try to drag you out of your zone.
So. The concept is formed. The List is in the works. The planning is done. The site is up. I am quickly burning through my best procrastination tools! One question remains.
What's first?
One of the most effective tools in the art of procrastination is the List. Planning is, of course, a necessary part of any process. Planning is like laying the rails for a train route - done well, it makes the actual task a foregone conclusion. If you plan an event properly, the event itself happens mostly on it's own. The roadmap for the planning process is the list - a step-by-step guide to goals and the steps needed to achieve them.
I've been putting together a List of my own for this blog. It is a list of things that I want to do, things that will take me out of my comfort zone. Each is a challenge it's own way. Some are physical challenges, from yoga to getting a tattoo. There are artistic areas to explore, like improv and straight theatre. There are classes to take, to revisit old interests and discover new ones.
Those who know me well will not be surprised to find a broad range of social interaction on my List. Few areas of life are as daunting or complex as the maze of human interaction, and there is no comfort zone quite as cozy and safe and easy as keeping to one's self. But it sets a pattern that not only robs us of shared experiences, but also denies others the value of our company. We cannot evaluate what that value is. That is up to others to decide. All we can do is offer ourselves, warts and all, to others, and let them accept us. To me, that is an unparalleled act of bravery. This is an aspiration.
Just as we all have our own crosses to bear and demons to face, we all have our own List. Maybe mine and yours have some things in common. Maybe your comfort zone overlaps mine. We'll see. That the comfort zone exists is a universal abstract, but the concrete is an individual one. Along with my own adventures outside of my comfort zone, I plan to share the experiences of some of my friends. Everyone has had them - with varied results. I want to hear some of yours. Don't be surprised if we sit down for coffee one day and I try to drag you out of your zone.
So. The concept is formed. The List is in the works. The planning is done. The site is up. I am quickly burning through my best procrastination tools! One question remains.
What's first?