I am working on a deadline for Boston Magazine. The deadline is this  
Thursday. And, at the moment, that seems manageable. I am (mostly)  
done with the reporting, I have (partially) transcribed the  
interviews, I even (vaguely) know what I'm trying to say. Of course,  
there are other things for me to do as well, smaller-ish things, like  
preparing a presentation about the mechanics and literary devices  
employed by Philip Roth when beginning and ending chapters in The  
Human Stain, re-writing a portion of a chapter to turn into my  
workshop and writing, you know, this blog, but the deadline is the  
major looming thing in my life this week. The deadline rules. And  
this stresses me out.

Now, in my "writing life", I have written several blogs, columns, and  
features about my procrastination issues. As my editors can surely  
attest, they are more than well-documented. They are, perhaps, over-
documented. So this is not another recounting of the various  
techniques I actively and passively employ to facilitate not writing  
(examples I will not be giving: constantly getting up to refill my  
water, organizing my books by author then re-organizing them by  
genre, typing 200 words worth of swear words or catch phrases,  
etc.) . No sir. Totally not that. Instead, I am attempting to examine  
the psychology behind my dangerous and job-threatening need to  
procrastinate. Because if we can get under the hood and take a look--
to use a semi-incompatible cliche--maybe this baby will finally drive  
right. Onward self-examination!

Reason 1: I need the pressure to focus.
Analysis: Because I wait till the last moment to do things, I like to  
leave myself with little to no choice about whether or not I can work  
because--if I know I have time-- I will then rationalize doing  
something else, usually involving Netflix. Pressure leaves me no  
wiggle room, which forces me into a corner, which unleashes my  
creative side, which is something to behold a 4 AM. This excuse may  
have some legs.
What My Dad Would Say: You are lazy and unbecoming of the Alexander  
lineage.
What My Mom Would Say: I'm very proud of you, but I want you to get  
more sleep.

Reason 2: I have an acute fear of failure and/or not knowing what I'm  
doing.
Analysis: Every time I sit down to begin another article/blog/
chapter, I am stricken with the thoughts that I can't do it, I can't  
possibly pull off something again, that I will never write (blank)  
like the last (blank) that I wrote, and that I shouldn't even bother,  
and I should just get an internship at an Art Gallery.
What My Dad Would Say: You're not a closer. And an internship at an  
Art Gallery sounds unpaid.
What My Mom Would Say: You're the best writer ever, but I want you to  
get more sleep.

Reason 3: If someone else is doing something, I need to also be doing  
that thing.
Analysis: Like most people who spend their days locked up with their  
thoughts, I get lonely, even (or especially) when surrounded by  
hippies., which makes me susceptible to--like the title of R&B group  
'Nuttin Nice's song says-- being "down for whateva". Also, people  
with 9-5 jobs don't "think I do anything all day", and always call me  
when they a) have a day off, b) want to go out during the week, c)  
want to do something stupid like go to Europe for 4 months, and can't  
find any takers. Of course, when I say "people with 9-5 jobs", i mean  
my friend Casey.
What My Dad Would Say: If your friends jumped off the Tobin Bridge  
and into a low paying, non-health benefits filled "sea" of self-
doubt, would you? Oh God, don't answer that.
What My Mom Would Say: You're very unique, but I want you to get more  
sleep.

Reason 4: I'm just lazy.
Analysis: Maybe I'm just lazy.
What My Dad Would Say: Yep. You nailed it.
What My Mom Would Say: I agree with your father.

Anyway, I don't have time for this. I have to go stress about my  
deadline while watching a documentary about the rise of R&B on VH1  
Soul. I'm up to the part where they talk to Boyz II Men about Jodeci.  
Feel free to leave your own reasons as to why you think you  
procrastinate in a little something the Internet 2.0 likes to call  
the Comment(z) section and I'll try and update you on how things turn  
out. Let's get this money.

Thank,
You (live)

Boyz II Men