So, it's the end of week one for the summer vacation.  I have all eight weeks planned out and subdivided within a bulleted list.  The bullets have sub-bullets.  After awhile, it begins to resemble a drive-by, with bullets strewn everywhere.  I suppose "drive-by" is not a bad metaphor for my approach to summer vacation.  I get restless too fast and forget to rest.  I attack it and plan it to death.  I drive through the summer quickly and miss out on the spontaneity of a lazy afternoon. 

I have a friend who tends to put things off until the last minute.  He plans his lessons the night before and quickly modifies them during class.  True, he's a bit scattered and occasionally not very dependable.  Yet, he is always present, in the moment and flexible to the changes of the social context. It is not that he "puts things off," so much as he waits until the last minute to go into action. 

I know that there are down sides to procrastinating.  I realize that it can make people unfaithful, stressed-out and unable to accomplish big tasks.  However, from what I have experienced, there is the upside.  People who procrastinate often think through their projects for a longer amount of time.  While they might put things off until the last minute, they can adapt and change.  They waste less time in planning and planning for planning and they are more apt to enjoy the moment and the excitement of the fluid changes that occur in a classroom. 

Don't get me wrong.  I'm not advocating procrastination.  I'm suggesting, however, that procrastinating and planning ahead are both double-edged swords. 

Share this post: Email It | Bookmark It | Digg This | Reddit | Stumble It
Add to favorites: Favorite Post | Favorite Blog | Favorite Author