The Absent Uncle: Putting it off

Not too long ago I was talking to a friend about the lack of follow-up I was experiencing from another friend regarding contacting me about a task he had committed to taking care of for me.

It wasn’t a big deal, and in the scheme of things it was not going to affect our relationship or anything of the sort. 

But it got me to thinking about “putting it off” and sometimes my struggle with procrastination or just not wanting to do a task I know needs to be done. 

I have always had a love/hate relationship with deadlines. In school I took great pride in waiting until the last minute to finish a project or paper with the thought I did my best work with my “back to the wall” in meeting the deadline. Lots and lots of early-morning risings to finish the task to hand it in on time. 

When I joined the Navy, I had a supervisor that advised me that I should be the type of worker that handled paperwork as it was turned in – don’t be the type that put it in a folder to do later. So, to humor him I did most of the paperwork as I received it, only putting those things aside for later that needed more information or were time sensitive in completing. 

Later I worked with a fellow who believed no decision or task should be completed early, as more information may come in that affects the work, rendering the work done earlier incorrect or had to be redone. I liked that style, except as how it pertained to me getting my portion of the task done after he waited until the last minute – then I was really up against the deadline without being the person in control of the situation. 

During a period of time when I was the administrative manager in charge of a manufacturing company, my controller or finance person would complain monthly about my habit of putting off a task that only I could perform concerning sales taxes. Would the company pay sales tax on items purchased; would we charge sales tax on products sold; how would sales be shown in the various states we did business in during the past month or quarter depending on the customer we did business with; and other such rules following decisions. I knew the customers, understood the items we purchased and sold, and (hopefully) the sales tax rules of the various states we were active in during the month. 

She complained I waited until the last minute to perform the task; I did. My explanation was that: 1.) I had to really concentrate on the transactions, work with no distractions  2.) I wanted all sales information in front of me before I started; and 3.) I really didn’t have an excuse – sorry, I will do better next month – promise. 

Just putting it off.