Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Pros and Cons (08/14/14)
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TITLE: The Diary of a Procrastinator | Previous Challenge Entry
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08/19/14 -
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Monday:
Noticed the mountain of paperwork (still) needing attention, which seems to have doubled in size since the last cursory glance. Spotted a few rather rude-looking red ones lurking in amongst the mix. Shall I deal with it today or not? Considered pros and cons:
Pros:
a) No more disconnection threats if bills buried somewhere therein get paid.
b) Might be able to see what colour my kitchen table is again; have long since forgotten.
Cons:
a) Most despised job of all and pile is of epic proportions. Plus Other Half’s (OH) organisational skills superior to mine (three reasons!).
b) Laptop game is way more fun...
Solution: TCP (tea, chocolate and procrastinate) and laptop game.
Tuesday:
Weighed up pros and cons of doing a Bible Study today, finally concluding that given I haven’t got round to it in over six months, there really isn’t much hope of me finding time for it today – even though the pros of doing it are overwhelming. It’s amazing how busy life is...
Maybe I should have a to-do list for each day. Decide on that tomorrow.
Solution: TCP.
Wednesday:
Running perilously low on chocolate. Tea supply looks depleted too.
Pros of going shopping today:
a) Chocolate and tea supply restored.
Cons:
a) I hate shops.
b) I hate shopping.
Still undecided on to-do lists.
Solution: Tomorrow will do fine. TCP (small ration of C).
Thursday:
Not sure which was worse; the landline being disconnected or the ensuing earful from OH, who blames me (for not getting the paperwork sorted)! Calling me ‘avoidant’ was a bit harsh, surely?
Friday:
Wondering if I’ve robbed myself of a good evening out with the kids tonight by finding reasons (more accurately, excuses) why not to go. Instead, I should’ve looked for reasons to go, for one I might have enjoyed it. Why did I make the cost an issue? Surely an evening of family fun would have been priceless...
Now completely out of chocolate. Really must get that sorted tomorrow. But then again, the weather forecast looks dire and I’ve nearly nailed that impossible level on my game... Decisions, decisions!
Perhaps OH has a point about me being avoidant.
Still can’t decide if pros for a to-do list outweigh the cons.
Solution: Tea, no chocolate and feel annoyed with myself. Then procrastinate some more.
Saturday:
Disaster! Out of tea! No chocolate and now no tea. Did my dislike of shops and shopping matter more than being out of tea and chocolate? Must get my act together.
Solution: Something other than procrastinate.
Sunday:
Got round to Bible study (see Tues). Opened Bible and read: ‘Be on your guard, then, because you do not know what day your Lord will come (Matt 24:42).’
Gulp...
No time for mentally wrangling with pros and cons when Jesus comes (could be any time!). What if He finds me procrastinating instead of being productive? Suddenly, I’m feeling painfully aware how indecision causes me to miss the bigger picture, and waste time and opportunities every day.
Surely it’s wise to carefully weigh up pros and cons when making decisions, but this going way too far! Deliberating reasons for and against all day long allows me to run away from making decisions, which I do because I’m scared of getting it wrong. When I think about it, my ‘cons’ are – at best – excuses, and ‘pros’ just unconvincing mirages. Thus, I’m procrastinating out of fear, not wisdom. I thought I was being wise – I wasn’t. Meanwhile, inaction masquerading as safety leeches away my God-given opportunities for joy, new challenges and surprises.
Pros for ditching procrastination:
By failing to act, I’m failing to live.
That’s all I need.
Monday:
Went shopping (purchased tea and chocolate) then tackled the paperwork Behemoth (see Mon). It was a long slog but at least it is done, a satisfying feeling! OH happy now landline is reconnected. Two positive reasons why I should have done it last week and spared myself (and OH) the hassle. I guess if you sit on the fence, you should expect to get splinters in the backside... that was a negative I definitely should have considered!
Plan for evening: Taking kids and OH to see pantomime. Then tea, chocolate and write tomorrow’s to-do list (no procrastinating).
P.S. can now also confirm the kitchen table is natural pine.
Authors note: This is entirely fictional and bears no intentional reference to anybody living or dead. Bible quotation from Good News Bible Matt. 24:42.
The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.
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Well done.
God bless~
Enjoyable piece. (Should I believe the final remarks?)
You had a good imagination while writing this piece.
Imagination is good to exercise.
It made me laugh and then think seriously, in the same short space of words.
That was inordinately clever. Are you quite sure it was fiction? I think you must have stolen my diary...I mean...er...did somebody say chocolate? :P
Seriously, though, this was very good. I think it deserves to be a winner. Somehow I think you will be joining us in the Masters Level soon... :)
God bless~
Congratulations on your placing, for I'm sure you'll quickly move through the FW ranks. well done.