I've been doing some research lately on "procrastination."
It all began when I realized that my husband, a colleague, a relative and a
close friend were all procrastinators. (Even my editor confessed to being a "krahtzer,"
the Yiddish term for procrastinator.)
These are all highly talented individuals possessing this irritating and
often infuriating tendency. In fact, the more I thought about it, the more it
became apparent that some of the smartest and most creative minds are afflicted
with this condition.
My investigation began.
A perfunctory search on Google sent me to a number of websites. I learned
that procrastination is defined as "the avoidance of doing an important task
which needs to be accomplished."
According to psychologist William Knaus, 90% of all university students
procrastinate. Of these, 25% are chronic procrastinators, who usually end up
dropping out of college.
These are large numbers, substantiating my original suspicion that
procrastination is a widespread malady.
Further research indicated that procrastination "has a high potential for
painful consequences." It can lead to feelings of guilt, inadequacy,
depression and self-doubt. Sadly, it interferes with the success of many
individuals.
Imagine all the pain, disappointment and suffering the procrastinator
experiences and inflicts upon those relying on him! Even the most gifted
individuals aren't spared from its destructive hold, and are prevented from
completing essential projects and goals.
All this thinking about procrastination started me wondering about whether
You, G-d, were also afflicted.
After all, we're still waiting for You to bring Your cosmic plan to its
rightful and idyllic conclusion, with the arrival of the Final Redemption, which
will transform our world, take us out of the misery of thousands of years of
Galut and reunite us with You in the most intimate reunion imaginable.
Ever since the beginning of time, we have been waiting for You to complete
this project. With all due respect, You must be the Greatest Procrastinator of
All. Five thousand seven hundred and sixty five years sure is a long time to
keep us lingering! All the pain we've endured because Your ultimate task still
awaits its finishing touches...
And so, with a new note of urgency, hoping to solve the world's problem, I
resumed my research. I was looking for the causes of procrastination, with the
ardent hope of discovering its cure.
I found that procrastination has many sources. Hastily, I read each one to
determine which might apply to You. Here's what it said:
Many individuals cite the following reasons for avoiding a task:
1) Lack of relevance -- if something is neither relevant nor meaningful to you
personally, it may be difficult to complete.
No, this wasn't pertinent to You.
Bringing the Redemption is the most relevant task possible. From the very
beginning of time, when the spirit of Moshiach hovered over all of
creation,1 it's been the most
meaningful pursuit there can be.
On to the next cause.
2) Acceptance of another's goals -- if a project has been imposed or assigned to
you and is not consistent with your own interests, you may be reluctant to
see it to conclusion.
Also not relevant.
Redemption for the world was Your goal since the very inception of
time. In fact, our world only came about because You wanted a "home" for
Yourself, a place where You'd feel comfortable, here in our physical
world.2
3) Ambiguity or fear of the unknown -- If you are uncertain of what is
expected of you or if you are venturing into a new realm, this may inhibit your
desire to begin.
No, again.
Who could be more certain than You about the reason for this all? You have
explained, in the clearest details, how the Era of Redemption is a time of peace
and prosperity, when the knowledge of G-d will suffuse all of reality and the
true soul and purpose of every created thing will be revealed and actualized. No
ambiguity here.
4) Inability to handle the task --
if through lack of training, skill or
ability, you feel that you lack the personal resources to do the job, you may
avoid it completely.
We can easily skip this one.
You are the Omnipotent Creator of all, certainly having any and all
capabilities.
We're getting near the end of this list. Here's the last one...
5) Perfectionism -- having too high
standards will impede the completion of the
task; remember perfection is unattainable.
Ah, here we are!
So this is it. You want Your work to be perfect. You are waiting for us to
make our world a little more right, a little more bright, a little more perfect
with the addition of just one more--and then just another--mitzvah.
We're onto something. We've found the cause. Now it's time to look at the
solutions. I skip down to:
What to do about Procrastination:
1) Make honest decisions about your work.
Let's be honest, You are dealing with us, finite human beings, full of
faults and inconsistencies. Very finite beings.
2) Weigh the consequences of various amounts of investment in a project and
find the optimal return for your investment.
Granted that the ultimate gain of redemption will be well worth all the
hardships of exile. But isn't all this "investment in the project"
getting out of hand? "Weigh the consequences" -- thousands of years in
exile, decimations, persecutions, misery and suffering, that we've endured as a
result. It's enough!
3) Acquire an adequate understanding of what is necessary to accomplish a
task within a given time frame. Devote only that amount of time which is
appropriate for the task.
From all the prophecies and explanations given by our Sages,3 I know I'm on safe ground here.
The time for the Redemption is long overdue! The project deadline has long
been extended--and overextended, again and again. That doesn't sound to me like
an "appropriate time frame."
4) And, finally, be reasonable in your expectations.
Perfectionistic or extremely strict expectations may sabotage your progress.
Let me repeat the words of the Chassidic master, Rabbi Leib of Shpolei, who
turned to You and said: "Master of the Universe! The sages
of the Talmud pleaded before You to bring the Moshiach, but You chose not to do
so. The holy Kabbalists of Safed begged You to bring Moshiach -- again You were
unwilling. We have reached the point where it is left to someone of my ilk to
ask for the Redeemer. Still You are holding out.... Mark my words! There will
come a generation who will have no interest in You or Your Moshiach. Then You
will have no choice but to bring him..."
Isn't it time You relinquished Your perfectionism and allowed Yourself the
enjoyment of the fruits of Your creation...?
