An Open Letter To Myself:

Dear Kate,

It's amazing how many things you can find to do when you are supposed to be doing something else. When I was younger and I was supposed to be cleaning my room, I was usually reading. My mom had to lock my books in her car. Really. Now, when I'm supposed to be cleaning my room, I'm reading. Well, not as much of a problem any more, but the point is the same. Also, now, when I'm supposed to write a paper, I write a play instead. The exscuse is that I needed to do it anyways, but in truth that paper is due tomorrow, and the play is due in a month. Or I should study, and I play the guitar. Well, that's studying too, I reason with myself.

We're always being told that doing these "other" things means that we are being lazy, or undisciplined. I'm a very disciplined person, but there are just some things I would rather do. We should pay attention to what we would rather do. If you like doing them, they are (probably) good things to focus on. So next time you find yourself getting distracted from the task at hand, consider why it is that you are choosing that alternate activity. Maybe you should just do that instead and stop beating yourself up about "procrastination."

Love,
Kate