Hi there,
Do you procrastinate?
Priesthood, Teaching, and Love—My Life Through Decisions Deferred
I procrastinate a lot. It took me nine years to leave my priestly path, even though I had decided to leave after five. It took me five years to leave teaching, even though I knew it wasn’t my vocation.
Procrastination and Life's Surprises: Love, Lessons, and Memoirs
That said, life continues, even during procrastination. Had I not procrastinated in teaching, I wouldn’t have met the love of my life, Ruth.
Had I left the Marists after five, rather than nine, years, I might still believe in delusions. And I might never have learnt the lesson that I alone decide, rather than submitting my judgment to the swamp of other peoples’ opinions.
Memoirs, Procrastination, and the Art of Timing
It took me 26 years to write my first memoir, but I had my second memoir out three years later.
Engagement, Procrastination, and the Road to 'I Do'
It didn’t take me long to propose to Ruth: I knew she was the girl for me. But my habit of procrastination erupted after we became engaged and before our wedding, as explored in my second memoir, Saved by a Woman. Discussing procrastination with someone can help.
I’m so glad I—finally—left my priestly path, so glad I—eventually—left teaching to be a writer, and so very glad I married Ruth!
Procrastination Chronicles: The Battle Against Time
It’s important, as intelligent beings, that me make considered, reasonable, responsible decisions. Analyse, plan, execute. Especially when it comes to the biggest decisions in life.
Audiobooks, Delays, and Lessons in Procrastination
But procrastination can grind everything to a halt. It is 19 January, and I have yet to begin recording the audiobook of my second memoir, even though I decided not to drink alcohol until I had completed it!
Navigating the Audiobook Journey: Triumphs and Procrastination
It is three years since I recorded the audiobook of my first memoir. I did need to see if the software was still supported. I needed to revise how to use it. I needed to transform my office into a recording studio. I needed to practice using the software on a tiny project – recording a poem (click to listen) – before embarking on the book.
Time Management, Distractions, and Procrastination Pitfalls
And I had a virus on my computer, which took four days to resolve. Another six days are accounted for by bank holidays, Saturdays and Sundays. Three or four days were spent, happily, writing or recording my Substack.
Collaborations, Creativity, and the Slow Brew of Songs
I have also been working with my songwriting collaborators Andrea Patron and The Rayne on our song ‘So Glad I Married You’, which Andrea and I began two or three years ago. Songs, like a good wine, often take time. My Joe the Human Podcast records some of our collab sessions. You can listen to the most recent one by clicking the picture below.
Procrastination Pitfalls
Some time was frittered away through a lack of self-discipline, too much time on social media, and lapses in time management. But, hey, I’m only (Joe the) human.
Perfectionism: The Vice that Fuels Procrastination
Partly, I procrastinate because of perfectionism. Perfectionism is not a virtue—it’s a vice. Nothing, not even Ulysses or U2, is perfect.
The crazy idea of perfectionism can prevent us even from beginning something that we want, need or must do.
Early Mornings, Tea, and the Battle Against Procrastination
I often get up at 4am during weekdays. I find it’s a great time of the day to write. I’ll get myself a cup of tea, write my journal, and then open my computer and write. Like now. It’s 06:48 hours and I’ve the first draft of my Substack almost finished.
Documentaries, Disturbed Sleep, and Procrastination Progress
I was interested in the two television documentaries, The Last Priests in Ireland and The Last Nuns in Ireland, broadcast on RTE 1 on Monday 15 January and Tuesday 16 January. A debate with Katie Hannon was broadcast immediately after Monday’s transmission.
I thought Tuesday’s documentary by Dearbhail McDonald was excellent. Staying up to watch them threw my sleep out of kilter and I couldn’t rise at 4am on Tuesday or Wednesday mornings. Both days kinda slipped away on me, as a result.
But, heck, I’ve set up my office as a recording studio, I’ve revised how to use the audio recording software and I’ve recorded my poem. Next Monday, I start on my audiobook!
And finally…
Stairs, Surprises, and the Dog: A Distraction-Free Zone
Our dog isn’t fond of stairs. But he’s getting more used to them. Last night, he nudged Ruth to come upstairs with him to say hello to me, as I finished off recording my poem. It was a lovely surprise.
Increasingly comfortable on the stairs, I’ve brought him upstairs to my office for the first time this morning while I worked. He’s as good as gold—settled down on the floor as I type away. It’s company for me and for him.
And, being distraction free, he’ll not be an excuse for further procrastination!
Happy days,
Joe