I have a big project report due at work this week, so of course I took this test instead (plus I cleaned my desk area really well, and updated/tossed some of my files…oh and I renewed my driver’s license…so of course I do feel kinda productive, but the report still isn’t finished).

Your score is 63 out of a possible 100

Above Average Procrastinator
You rank between the top 25% and 10% in terms of procrastination. That is, when it comes to putting things off, you often do so even though you know you shouldn’t. Likely, you are more free-spirited and spontaneous than most. Probably, your work doesn’t engage you as much as you would like or perhaps you are surrounded by easily available and more pleasant temptations. These temptations may initially seem rewarding, but in the longer-term, you see many of them as time-wasters. Though you likely often still get your work done, there is probably a lot of last minute panicking and unwanted stress. You may want to reduce what procrastination you do commit. If so, here are three tips that have been shown to work:

Goal Setting
This is one of the most established ways of moving forward on your plans. Take any project you are presently procrastinating and break it down into individual steps. Each of these steps should have the following three aspects. First, they should be somewhat challenging though achievable for you. It is more satisfying to accomplish a challenge. Second, they should be proximal, that is you can achieve them fairly soon, preferable today or over the next few days. Third, they should be specific, that is you know exactly when you have accomplished them. If you can visualize in your mind what you should do, even better.

Stimulus Control
This method has also been well tested and is very successful. What you need is a single place that you do your work and nothing else. Essentially, you need an office, though many students have a favorite desk at a library. For stimulus control to work best, the office or desk should be free of any signs of temptation or easily available distractions that might pull you away (e.g., no games, no chit-chat, no web-surfing). If you need a break, that is fine, but make sure you have it someplace at least a few minutes distant, preferably outside of the building itself. If you are unwilling to take the time to get there, acknowledge that you likely don’t need the break.

Routines
Routines are difficult to get into but in the end, this is often our aim. Things are much easier to do when we get into a habit of them, whether it is work, exercise, or errands. If you schedule some of those tasks you are presently procrastinating upon so that they occur on a regular schedule, they become easier. Start your routine slowly, something to which you can easily commit. Eventually, like brushing your teeth, it will likely become something you just do, not taking much effort at all. At this point, you might add to your routine, again always keeping your overall level of effort at a moderate to low level. Importantly, when you fall off your routine, inevitable with sickness or the unexpected, get back on it as soon as possible. Your routine gets stronger every time your follow it. It also gets weaker every time you don’t.

I stayed in from the cold and drizzle outside and spent the day puttering around the kitchen and cooking some spicy, warm treats. The colors, aromas and flavors of the spices seemed to vanquish the damp gray as it tried to sneak in from behind the blinds.

It may be merely another brand statement (and of course it is ironic in that regard), but I can relate:

Because there is complexity in purity.
Elegance in plainness.
Intricacy in streamlining.
Richness in reduction.
Depth in minimalism.
Surprise in uniformity.
Innovation in re-use.
Cool in the avoidance of cool.
And there is true sophistication in simplicity.

Muji from Japan

Spent the day out in the yard gathering and bagging some of the leaves. Living in a yard with…um like….10 trees means, uh…something like 3,495,289,254 leaves, or 15 bags today. Interesting how I once despised this sort of task, and yet now I get such a wonderful enjoyment from the event. The weather couldn’t have been more perfect. Even better was the engaging and thoughtful conversation that Butterfly and I shared throughout.

Apparently my company is gearing up for some budget cuts. Nothing has been announced but my astute observations lead me to conclude that big changes are indeed afoot. See, at our company holiday party this year they had a dance contest and …karaoke.

I watched in (mock) horror as my coworkers swiveled and swayed to such golden oldies, as “I like Big Butts” and “You Can’t Touch This”. Of course, this is Texas so there were several of the mandatory “electric slide” line dances and the like.

However the pièce de résistance was the karaoke. With rapt amazement I listened to an attempt at the karaoke holy grail - - “Little Red Corvette” as well as an off-key tribute to eminem (performed by a trio of ladies).

Finally, it occurred to me that perhaps it is was all part an elaborate RIF tactic.

God I hope it works.

Got home last night about 9:30 pm and I’m sitting at work already. I’m in a bit of a mind/time fog, and as Venezia was our last locale, I’m still a bit swaying with the now distant sea.

I didn’t quite get the Internet access for much blogging, but I did try to post about a picture a day. More pics to come as I get situated.

Overall the trip was quite grand and enjoyed my both my mother and me.
Now on to some of these pesky e-mails that stacked up in my absence.

I accepted a very challenging and exciting new position at work today. I am thrilled.

Tomorrow…we travel.

and when it shines it is downright dazzling.

Crazy stuff at work, lots of reorg, lots of jockeying for position.
As for me… I have a GREAT (internal) job interview tomorrow at 9 a.m.

hee hee he

I love getting organized for a trip. I’ve got adapters, converters, chargers, batteries, cords, tips, plugs and a whole slew of gadgets.

Truth is I pack more ’stuff’ than clothes. All things included, I’ll still keep it down to one small carry-on for 11 days overseas.