How to overcome procrastination.

Charles Dickens once said "procrastination is the thief of time." I believe Dickens to be a smart man.  I procrastinate on a regular basis, but recently I have found that my procrastination, along with all of my friends has gotten enormously worse.  My original theory was that my senioritis had gotten the best of me, but I soon realized that I wasn't the only one.  And along the way I learned that perhaps my previously diagnosed "senioritis" was just procrastination wrapped in a fancier word.

be right back... taking care of a few things...

My first goal was to find the true meaning of procrastination.  Along the way I found out that more people have the same problems as I do.  By clicking HERE you can view all of the answers that I received along the way.  However, I found that most people define procrastination the same as I do, procrastination is putting off the work that you don't want to do.  

However, I wasn't satisfied with just finding the meaning of procrastination, I wanted to hear stories.  I wanted to hear how other people have procrastinated.  Through asking what the meaning of procrastination was, I decided to ask these individuals what their worst procrastination story was.  I wanted this video to show the raw emotion that comes through procrastinating.  When someone procrastinates to the point of "FINAL COUNTDOWN" a sudden panic races across the persons mind.  My hope for this video was to show the slight insanity that comes with procrastination, along with the humorous moments that may happen. You can watch this video by clicking HERE

But if humorous, weird videos can't make you motivated here are a few simple tips for overcoming your procrastination:

1. Deal with your stress.  Sometimes extra stress can cause someone to distance themselves from the work that they have to complete.  My suggestion?  Make sure you get enough sleep and take plenty of time to relax.

2. Set a Schedule.  Days can go by so quickly.  There can be one moment where you have enough time in the day and then the next you see shooting stars.  Set a schedule, plan out your day.  Provide yourself enough time to accomplish what you have on your list that day.

3. Give yourself a firm deadline.  I find this tip to be the most helpful.  Sometimes my main problem is that I see the abundant amount of time that I have and I keep putting it off until "later".  Well "later" always become procrastinating until the last minute.  If I can I try to set a firm deadline for myself, and then if I meet the deadline I reward myself with a new nail polish, shirt, or whatever strikes my fancy.  

These three tips will surely help out future procrastination problems.  But remember take baby steps and go at the pace that you feel most comfortable.

Sexism in the Media

I recently watched the a documentary called MissRepresentation.  MissRepresentation was created by Jennifer Newson and in the film countless individuals talk about the current situation of sexism in the media. I was inspired by the film and felt that I needed to do some research on my own.

MissRepresentation Trailer 

The first thing I researched was sexism in advertising.  In the film 'Mona Lisa Smile' I remember Julia Roberts character talking about the way advertisements portrayed women.  Advertisements would specifically state that women were meant to be in the kitchen.  So what were some of the most scandelous advertisements from the early 1900's?  Here's an article that I found on Vintage Advertisements : http://www.amusingplanet.com/2010/09/45-vintage-sexist-ads-that-wouldnt-go.html But here are a few that caught my eye: 

So has advertising today changed at all?  Sure it's not as up-front and in your face as these old advertisements, but it's still there.  Here's an article from the most offensive ads of 2012: Advertising Fails 2012 and I do believe that my most favorite out of all of these is the commercial that dumbs down science enough so women can understand it: 

In the film MissRepresentation, I believe Lisa Ling, executive producer and host of OWN's "Our America" said it best "As a culture, women are brought up to be fundamentally insecure and always looking for the time when that knight on a horse will come and rescue us or provide for us."

I believe that there is a problem that we as a culture are facing.  The United States is 90th in the world when it comes to the number of women in state legislatures.  Girls today continue to have distorted body images about what is perfect.  I whole-heartedly believe that women need to stop dumbing themselves down and start remembering the women who fought so hard to get us where we are today.  Inspiring women such as Eleanor Roosevelt, Maya Angelou and many others.  These women are the women that we should be celebrating.  

Make-A-Wish Foundation of Central and Western North Carolina

The Make-A-Wish Foundation of Central and Western North Carolina has been granting wishes to children with life-threatening illnesses since 1985.  Make-A-Wish is a national non-profit organization that started in Arizona in 1980.  Since then the organization has grown to have more than 50 chapters nation wide.

Most people only see the wishes being granted, but how does this organization run on a day to day basis.  So much goes on behind the scenes that a lot of people don't see.  I went to the office for Make-A-Wish Central and Western North Carolina and sat down and asked the employees there a few questions.

Since Make-A-Wish is a non-profit organization, they have to raise their own funds to be able to grant wishes to children.  Through fundraisers, grants and donations from individuals and organizations, Central and Western North Carolina was able to grant 213 wishes last year.

This video will showcase what this organization stands for and how they are able to grant wishes to so many children.  Through hope, strength and joy Make-A-Wish is able to give happiness to children who need it the most.

click here to view my video