Structured Procrastination & Getting Help

Here - this is why I am doing this blog...it's a form of structured procrastination (thanks mikeB for reminding me of procrastination in your comments. Also wanted to expand on "how a friend helped me."

Structured Procrastination
"The brainchild of Stanford University philosophy professor John Perry, structured procrastination involves doing small, low-priority tasks to build a sense of accomplishment and the energy to tackle more important jobs. Mr. Perry, a chronic procrastinator, suggests followers choose an important task, but defer work on it while tackling others. 'Don't be ashamed of self-manipulation,' he says." (quoted from WSJ article "How to Put Off Work--Constructively") Click above for his web site (yet another form of procrastination?)

Just so you know, I've been energized by doing this blog. I'm putting together ideas that have been floating around in my head, doing a PPT as a beginning of an outline (yes, I know, but for some reason, it's easier to organize my thoughts on PPT... a form of indoctrination perhaps?)

Helped by a friend One of the things that helped me get out of my rut was a friend who needed someone to practice her coaching on. I volunteered. We talked for a mere half-hour about identity, resistance (just touching on those subjects.) Then we made a plan together. Having someone to talk to about my masters helped break it down into manageable chunks. She's a great coach and I'm happy to recommend her. Just let me know. Thanks V.

Thanks for all the comments and support. It helps to know you're reading -- keep me accountable!

p.s. I think I will get the structured procrastinator t-shirt, later.

Months 2-7 (Mar-Sep '08) - an audit

I feel that I need to do some accounting for myself -- accounting and audit being appropriate words for what my masters is about (I'll get to it soon, promise.) What have I been doing for the past 7 months?

Mar - Taking online cognition & learning course from TC. Paper due this month. More catching up on sleep. Started reading The Fifth Discipline by Peter Senge.
Apr - Renovations begins on the house. I leave for Vancouver to visit my family for 3 weeks and get away from the demolition. First time in 11 years that I've spent more than a week with them. (Parents got a new dog - Lucy!) Return at end of month. Coursework continues.

May - Family visits for a week. Term paper due. Finished course.
Jun - Mom has a sudden "opportunity" for knee replacement surgery. Back to Vancouver for 2 wks to help. Ended up dealing with own medical stuff when I returned (end of the fiscal year!) Finished reading the Fifth Discipline.
Jul - Work on the concept for the educational game design. Subject area: Accounting/Finance - read 2 books on Financial Accounting. Return visit to Vanc. mid-month to check on mom and make blueberry jam. Have to deal with fixing up house in NC which is starting to have problems after a year on the market.
Aug - Brother's family visits for first wk in August. Play tourist for a week. Read book on Cash Flow and flesh out game design. Broke tooth - no dental. Dealing with that. NC house stuff continues.
Sep - The moment of truth. To do what I want to do, I have to learn Flash - Actionscript. I have resisted being defined as a programmer, and thus learning programming because I wanted to be known as a designer. But since I've decided I'm working at the intersection of games, learning and business -- guess what? I'd better get over that identity crisis fast. A friend helps me figure out a way to be accountable for myself and others for getting my Masters done. I start reading Colin Moock - Actionscript 3 book.

I don't know how I managed to go to take 3 graduate courses a semester and hold down a job 4+ days a week for the 18 months before moving to the Bay Area. I can't imagine doing that again.

Time flies when your catching up on your unlived life.