i am working from home, which is tricky, because that is also where i live. (such a profound statement.) which means that i have to find time in and around the household needs that call out to me all day long.
that brings me to this thing i do. it's nothing new at all, really. my friend donna and i have laughed about it for years. it's just that with me trying to work now, it has been popping up a little more than usual.
here's the phenomenon: right before i'm about to sit down to work, i am overcome with a strange compulsion to do some random chore, something i never think about at any other time in my life, ever--like lemon-oiling the banister, scrubbing the kitchen grout, and the one that hit me this week right at the time in the day i had saved for working, wiping down the wall by the kitchen telephone.
when it strikes, i feel utterly, manically caught up in this kind of "productive procrastination." is it my anxiety coming out, attempting to be soothed by the peaceful smells of cleaning products? i don't know... but dang, it's strange! when i'm in it, i feel like i need somebody to take me by the shoulders, shake me and slap me to get me to stop.
what is wrong with me? does anybody out there know what i'm talking about?
5 comments:
Julie,
I think I got that from my mother. I must have cleaned my office three times last week while trying to finish a sermon. I think you've coined a new phrase "productive procastination." I like it.
As for your book, that sounds awesome. I'm working with a guy in our church that is in recovery, and he is realizing that "meetings" just aren't cutting it for his recovery. Over a cup of coffee on Monday we decided that we will try to get together once a week for "something more." But this is something our church is struggling through. So many people come into our church at a time of recovery...and we have a hard time helping them understand that Jesus is much more than a recovery tool, he is the reason to recover and he is the strength for recovery. Keep me posted on it...I'd love to see a copy when it's done.
well i'm from the same mother...but yes, i have that problem too.
It's a blessing to completely be in charge of your work schedule, but it certainly takes a lot of discipline. Too bad I'm not overcome by urges to clean. Usually it's a nap or something more fun (reading people's blogs) that threatens my best intentions.
I was listening to a speaker on the origins of AA, when and how they ended up dropping the name of Jesus in favor of "Higher Power," and the changes in success rate. Interesting topic.
Rose does that, same mom, kind of
jake
I know just what you mean, and I know where you got it! Sometimes I straighten the fringe on the buffet runner - but the most fun is when I procrastinate by making cookies. It's productive all right, but a tasty procrastination.
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