Thursday, January 12, 2012

Word To The Wise...From A Wiseacre

A friend asked me recently what my word of the year was going to be and my first thought...it sure as heck ain't gonna be one that I feel inclined to include in the title of each.and.every.post!  What the heck was I thinking when I dreamed up that nightmare?  Folks...if you ever see me thinking of doing that again (and you'll know 'cause my eyes will be spinning in opposite directions and smoke comin' outta my ears)...do us both a favor and  slap me on the forehead, get all up in my face, and holler "DON'T!"  Let me tell y'all...some of my titles for 2011 were a stretch...even for me.

Like a lost marble (or two...or three), I've rolled this around in my head since New Year's eve trying to take a'holt of what and where I wanted to be in 2012.  Looking at the date on the calendar this morning and realizing January was slipping away, I thought "Bingo...got it!".

  PROCRASTINATION

A word that fits like a pair of Spanx.  I do believe I could single-handedly put the Pro in procrastination.
(I stole borrowed this from somewhere and can't remember where!)

I tell myself all the time, I don't drag my feet...it's just that I work better under pressure...but I'm only fooling myself.  To be fair...it's not entirely my fault.  In doing a little prep work for this post, I did my research on the word procrastination and it seems it's actually a slight kink in the ol' wiring of the noggin...kinda like ADD.

For all my joking about Squirrel Alerts, it really is true.  I'm easily distracted and even easier to talk into doing something...make that anything...instead of what I should be doing.  It isn't always laziness on my part or even a lack of will power...it's poor time management more often than not.  Obviously, a skill I failed to learn over the years.  Ooops!

I have a tendency to put off and put off until I'm so overwhelmed, I don't know how to even begin.  I'm not making excuses, but to keep from beating myself up relentlessly, it really got out of control while waiting for Bella to be born and continued to spiral downward like a kite that had lost its wind while waiting for her to come home.  Like the wind...my priorities shifted and with it...my attention. 

For example...remember this photo?

(Ugh...my Black Hole of Casita de Trash!)

'Course you don't...how could you?  We'd have to take a trip in the Way Back Machine to jog your memory 'cause it's from December 2008 and half of you didn't even know me then.  Would you be shocked if I told you the only thing different in this room is the boxes are back in the Christmas building (she says hanging her head in shame!)?  It's true.  This room is the bane of my existence...my Achilles heel...my Kryptonite.  I walk in there...get the heebie-jeebies...close my eyes...slowly back out...shut the door...and promise myself I'll do it later.  Deny..deny...deny!

The thing is y'all while doing my research, one suggestion for coping was to quit trying to be it all while doing it all.  Instead, the experts suggest commit only to the first step and see how that goes, thus staving off the guys in white jackets and possibly real commitment.

S-o-o...here it is...my word for 2012.

ONE

That's it.

One step at a time...instead of trying to skip a few in haste and stumbling...or worse...falling.

One piece at a time...instead of running back and forth doing ten...and watching in horror as they all turn into hot messes.

One project at a time...instead of fifty that never get finished or wind up looking like...well...for lack of a better analogy..dog poo.

One day at a time...instead of worrying Thursday what could happen on Friday or what went wrong on Wednesday.  Tomorrow can wait and yesterday's gone.

Finally...one life...mine...and me repurposing it.

My first step/project/day reclaiming my sanity began this week...in that blasted bedroom.  The walls are swept down...along with the cobwebs...the holes patched.  The blue tape is in place and the paint has been purchased. (Y'all would be so proud of me and how I handled making my paint choice. I kept calm and no bodily harm came to Cat Daddy throughout the entire ordeal!)

Once I begin painting, it'll go fast, but for now...I have to take a little breather from everything else in order to remain focused on one thing at a time.  If I can conquer that dratted dreaded room...I'm on my way to conquering my fear of failure.
After that y'all...the world is my oyster...served on the half shell...

and I can't wait to slurp it down!

Word up...y'all! 

  

19 comments:

Marsha @ Tattered Chick said...

I never used to be a procrastinator but I have become one!! I also have seemed to have acquired the squirrel disorder as well, cannot seem to keep focused, something totally foreign to me!

Wow, you have accomplished a lot already! Just think what you can accomplish the next 11 months, 20 something weeks (too lazy to figure it out) LOL and 350 some days left this year!!!

And I'll have you know I've been working on my word, started a post, got sidetracked and never went back . . LOL

xoxo

Prior said...

Can't wait to see!

Great minds think alike, for sure, I signed off with procrastinator tonight!

One day at a time Sweet Jesus!

Lezlee

Kate said...

Love it Love it

your are ONE in a million girly

Love ya from Cali
xoxo
Kate

One Gal's Trash said...

Just booked my flight! Arrive Austin 3/29 staying through 4/3. So excited, I can barely stand it. Get to meet you and Cat Daddy and Bella and VRS Sue and....and....
Huge hug to be delivered soon!
xoxoxo
Pam

Debra@CommonGround said...

I'm standing and clapping, my dear! This is great advice for all of us! xoxo

Rebecca said...

I really don't think I procrastinate but maybe I should look the word up... it could be I just have my own meaning of the word. For me and probably you... there are just so many other things that get in the way. So last year I made a schedule of the projects and one by one I am checking them off, that helped the relentless beatings I was giving myself. I don't like to start something like that unless I can do it right... basement here I come! Yuk...
Good luck, I will swap my basement for your bedroom...
Blessings
RE

Cheryl said...

BRAVO!! You have inspired me to take control and get myself organized. I just have to get myself motivated and complete the process!
First I will make a list and start with one.
Thanks and have fun with what you tackle!
Cheryl

Sue said...

I ALWAYS put off stuff, especially paperwork for the store. So far, day 13 of the year, I've been on top of that! I do however, have a brand new website that was done by the end of November. It includes selling our CR stuff online. Have I got stuff up for sale? Have I got the pictures taken, measurements done, and everything ready? Nope, just a very small portion. So, with January now almost half way gone, I need to get moving!!

Take care my friend,
Sue

Laura said...

You are such an inspiration Deb.
Sometimes we all get mixed up and sometimes we do better.
You have just described us all dear friend.

I think you need a new spoon necklace...
that says
ONE.

LB

time worn interiors said...

I didn't used to procrastinate, but the older I get it seems to be on my heels all the time. It's seems like I have so much to do and so little time, I just some things or areas in my house go to pot! Right Rebecca? My studio looks like a tornado went through there! But because it has a door and I can close it, I never do anything to it! hahahaha! Oh well, I'll get to that real soon!

I can't wait to see what you do to you room!

tot

Low Tide High Style said...

Oh honey, I am right there with you on putting off til tomorrow what I could do today. Like you I'm making changes and end roads to just doing things this year. Let's meet back up this time next year and see where we are, but in the meantime, put one foot in front of the other and trudge on down that newly painted beautiful road you're on!

Kat :)

Carole said...

Procrastinate??? moi? I never used to be so bad either. I'm starting to get a little better. I think having my niece come for a stay got me to realize that I can't wait so long to tackle those projects. I was all over the place though and realize I must have A.D.D. though for me that does seem to work best. I like multi tasking....hey a thing men can't do btw. You probably knew that:)
Good luck with your room sounds like you're off to a great start.

hugs
Carole

Anonymous said...

Yes I procrastinate.....sometimes I just look at it as waiting till I'm in the mood to tackle something. My Uncle Sal's mantra always is "DO IT NOW". I need to put these words into motion and "Make It Happen". Our thoughts for the day will dictate how we feel and what we get accomplished. Debra, you know how I feel about cha so I'll just say thanks for the encouragement and food for thought. You are my SPECIAL ANGEL. (I think that's a song) xx grace (a la Grace)

LaurieAnna's Vintage Home said...

Okay, the procrastination photo is hilarious! Your posts are always such an inspiration Deb, and as Laura said, this post could describe any one of us. Thanks for the encouraging words.

GypsyFox said...

great post, although I think 2011 was my procrastination year I think I'm ready to actually start doing ish.. lol great blog here, I'm a new follower!

LuLu Kellogg said...

I am always on Squirrel Alert so I feel your pain!

I can't wait to see the room when you are through! You go girl!

Love,
LuLu~*xoxo

lisa Moran, Bilancia Designs said...

One step at a time..... if we would all slow down we'd be so much happier. Sounds good, doesn't it??? :)
Thanks...now I'm hungry for oysters!! :)
Good luck with painting!

thedomesticfringe said...

I procrastinate too. I love the word "One". It's a great reminder to take things slow, one thing (or day) at a time.

I haven't been able to find a word for me yet. I'm still thinking.
~FringeGirl

Pam @ Frippery said...

I am a total procrastinator, and a stater of many things at once. My word is begin. Maybe I should have made it begin only one thing! Haha. Can't wait to see that room finished, LY...Pam