Opinion: Become a recovering procrastinator in 2005

For me, it’s after I get my column written. After that, 2006 is looking like a good time to throw the plan into effect.

We are not alone. As “moderately reformed” procrastinators, psychologists and authors Jane B. Burka, PhD, and Lenora M. Yuen, PhD, know how we feel. But more importantly, they know why we feel this way and how to change the habit of procrastination.

In their book, “Procrastination: Why You Do It, What to Do About It” (Da Capo Press, 1983), the authors offer a practical, tested program to set goals, manage time, enlist support and handle stress. Burka and Yuen also provide tips on living and working with the procrastinators you know.

As you can see by the copyright date on this book, I have been postponing its review for some time. I was very busy during the ‘80s, and the ‘90s are simply a blur. Now the years of the new millennium are clicking away and our basement still needs a good dust up.

My daughter says that she procrastinates, too. She learned from the best. She, like the book’s authors, is quick to remind me that procrastination can, and often does, work to our advantage. The energy and creativity that comes from the fear of letting others down – and thus, ourselves – can be quite motivational. Adrenaline gets the job done at the last minute. Adrenaline addiction, like procrastination, eventually takes its toll, however. High blood pressure and late-payment penalties are among the results.

Quality issues may also become factors during last-minute rushes, and SBJ readers can be grateful for the strict rule of deadlines in this newspaper office. We have learned the hard way over the years that staying up all night to finish laying out the paper is physically, and eventually, fiscally draining. There are also the typos and pizza calories to be considered.

My age is taking care of some of my procrastination tendencies. I must attend to matters immediately, lest I forget them altogether!

Seriously, despite the last-minute rushes of 2004 – especially around the holidays – it’s been a great, great year. I’m grateful for every minute of it, but I am also looking forward to the quiet of New Year’s Day, when I can spend more time with Burka and Yuen.

The book’s chapters each contain short sections, each easily digestible at bedtime. Consider picking up a copy when you go to the bookstore to look at new calendars. In fact, you could go today.

SBJ begins 25th anniversary coverage

The staff of Springfield Business Journal has great plans to celebrate 25 years of “Pride In Publishing” with special anniversary coverage beginning next week with the Jan. 3, 2005 issue.

We think you will enjoy the retrospectives of the last quarter century in business in southwest Missouri. It’s hard for me to believe that the years since we were a start-up in 1980 have passed so quickly. Things have sure changed since I sat in the parking lot of Service Merchandise on Battlefield and looked at the tall corn growing across the street. Remember the huge statue of the guy with a bag of groceries held high in front of the Consumer’s market nearby?

We’re going to publish lots of pictures of people, too – pictures that will make you smile when you see how much hair they used to have.

Celebrations and special features will run all year during 2005. In SBJ’s annual Economic Outlook issue on Jan. 3, 2005, Editor Clarissa French will begin laying out the plans that we’ve made.

We shared those years (and survived them) with the support of so many of you dear, loyal readers. Please continue to contact us with your ideas for 2005 coverage. We’d like to borrow some of your old photos, too. We’ve gotten quite a few good ones from you already. Keep them coming!

Vamos a Tlaquepaque en 2005

Springfield Sister Cities Association plans a spring tour of our new Sister City – Tlaquepaque, Jalisco, Mexico, in the spring. As an enthusiastic member of the nonprofit organization, I have already made a couple of journeys to this beautiful and friendly community in the west-central region of Mexico.

The planned tour will offer excellent opportunities to make new friends with Tlaquepaque residents. Rotarians – both in the Southeast and Downtown clubs – are beginning new projects and exchanges with Tlaquepaque members. City officials and representatives of the arts communities in Springfield and Tlaquepaque have plans to coincide with Artsfest and the many annual Mexican celebrations.

I feel that you will be as fascinated as I was by the color, art, passionate history, culture and hospitality of Mexican hosts. Tlaquepaque’s altitude also makes for a near-perfect year-round climate.

Citizen-to-citizen diplomacy and friendship are dear to my heart during these years of increasing world tension and turmoil. You can help make this planet a little more peaceful by getting involved with Sister Cities. You will also enjoy traveling with a Springfield group. International understanding is a rapidly communicable condition!

As soon as I have more details, I will write more. A January information meeting is being planned to announce the itinerary for the upcoming tour.

Feliz Año Nuevo!