Like many people, I have a hard time focusing on work when I sit down at my computer with the intent to study. Facebook, Netflix, StumbleUpon and other timesuckers on the internet seem to call my name as I log into Ctools, click on resources and mentally prepare myself to begin my assignment. As I work, an email notification serves as a sufficient reason to pause, easily seguing into a five minute break which turns into a 15 minute break which becomes a TV show break and the next thing I know, it’s midnight and I have barely started the first problem of my homework.
Procrastinating starting homework until the night before it is due is common and not a calamity. Yes, on those nights I get less than my preferred 8 hours of sleep, but the work always gets done. Why? Because I am the type of person that refuses to miss a deadline and so regardless of the circumstance the homework is always completed on time.
For academic classes with set due dates and assignments this system works. However, this procrastination does not work when it comes to practicing. This is due to two primary reasons. The first, there is no one specifically checking up on you to make sure that you are practicing everyday for a reasonable amount of time. The second, vocalists cannot simply “double up” their practicing to make up for a missed day. Vocally, I can only practice for a certain amount of time each day without feeling vocal fatigue. If I ignore this fatigue and sing through the discomfort, I will not be practicing tomorrow.
Without someone watching me constantly I have had to learn how to self police my practicing and I find that it has helped me with other aspects of my life. By forcing myself to practice at least an hour a day (no matter what), I have found that my procrastinating habits are lessening. Lessening, though not gone as I log into CTools to begin my homework due tomorrow morning.
Leave a Reply
Be the First to Comment!