Issue 31 | May 21st, 2022 
8&21
Welcome to your three-minute pause. 
This is your practice space.

 
Relabeling “procrastination”
I tend to criticize myself when I procrastinate. ("Why are you slacking? You could be done by now!" My self-talk can be drill-sergeant-esque.)  
But I've learned that my “procrastination” could be a sign of something. Like, maybe I need more information. Or maybe I'm brainstorming. 
OR, maybe I'm sick, with zero energy—but I don't realize it until later, when I'm really sick.
Whatever the reason, I've learned, “Procrastination ≠ lazy.”
Remembering that helps me to consider what else could be going on.
 
- Dr. Sarah Glova, Co-Editor of 8&21 and Practicer of Kinder Self-Talk 

 
“All important 
progress made by 
the human race 
has its roots in daydreaming.”
 
- Eda LeShan, American writer 
and family counselor, 1922-2002

 
Until summer… or winter.
My students graduated with their master’s degrees this month, wrapping up a busy and challenging spring semester. And now, I find myself at the start of my magical summer. 
 
Ah, summer. The time when I think I will tackle all the projects that I have been putting off all spring semester. 
Summer seems like it will last forever with all the time I need to complete projects and enjoy some downtime. 
 
The reality is—summer will fly by. I will get some of my favorite projects finished, and then I will push off the other less-interesting projects to the next magical time on my calendar: winter break.
 
- Dr. Sarah Egan Warren, Co-Editor of 8&21 and Student of How Time Flies

 
“The world is bursting with wonder, and yet it's the rare productivity guru who seems to have considered the possibility that the ultimate point of all our frenetic doing might be to experience more of that wonder.” 
 
- Oliver Burkeman, Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals

 
Desireable procrastination
 
“It’s sometimes perfectly okay—even desirable—to procrastinate. It’s a form of prioritization and a tool for time management. 
 
We can’t do every single task right this minute. Some items are more important than others. Some are more urgent. 
 
We have to purposefully defer less important/less urgent tasks to make room for the ones that take priority.”
.”
 
Chrissy Scivicque from Why Procrastination Isn't Always Bad, Forbes 
 

 
 
“Do not put off till tomorrow what can 
be put off till 
day-after-tomorrow 
just as well.” 
 
- Mark Twain in “Advice to Young People”, 1882
 

 
How do you make space for no-judgment-here procrastination? 

 
Great job!
Way to take a pause and give 3 minutes to your practice of pursuing awesome 
by exploring this issue's theme. You rock!
 

(NEW!) Community requests:
 
Can you help with any of these requests? If so, please reply and let us know! 
 
TECH ETHICS: “I'm hunting for an online community where I can send people to share and converse and meet regularly on Tech Ethics. Which is your favorite forum? Looking for one that does regular meetups, etc…"
 
ASKING FOR FEEDBACK: “How do you ask for feedback in a way that lets people know you really are open to constructive criticism?”
 
Have your own community ask? Reply and let us know! 
We'll see if we can add your ask to an upcoming issue. 
 
#
 
RESPONSES to the community requests in our last issue:
 
SUMMER READS: “Any nonfiction book recommendations for good summer reads?”
•  Sweet Potato or Pumpkin Pie: Conversations with My White Friends about Race 
    by William T. Lewis
•  Year of Yes: How to Dance It Out, Stand In the Sun and Be Your Own Person 
    by Shonda Rhimes
•  Breath by James Nestor 
•  Iron and Silk by Mark Salzman
•  Author recommendations: Jenny Lawson, Malcolm Gladwell 

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