1:11PM and four days later…

sounds like something I’m dealing with both personally in terms of character and as a filmmaker or procrastination.

As you may know, I purpose to blog on or about the 22^nd of each month, but the title “1:11PM and four days later…” refers to procrastination with blogging. It also relates to other aspects of my life that I sense are mediocre because I procrastinate. For example, on November 2^nd I submitted a sloppy proposal with my Fiscal Sponsorship application for Denied. Ten days later, I received a page and a half reply from the Coordinator stating among other things, “It is an interesting project and I can sense your personal commitment to it. However, your proposal seemed incomplete and general.” What’s worst is actually thinking it would be approved: knowing how I threw it together. HA!

So I procrastinated until last week - five weeks after I got feedback, and on December 22^nd I asked whether there’s a deadline to resubmit. The reply I received is, “Usually we give one month between feedback and second draft, which in your case has passed, but since you are working on the proposal, try to have something for me by early January.” Do you see the unmerited favor here people!

When I began acknowledging various circumstances throughout my life, and more so in recent years, I realized that I often receive special consideration, and I’m very thankful for favor. I’m a witness, favor ain’t fair. But I’m just really beginning to seriously think about how much more rewarding coming-of-age is once procrastination is defeated.

In early-October I attended a couple sessions of the 2010 CDMA Ministers and Leaders Conference, and Mac Hammond said, “You have to see yourself on the other side of the fire.” This is the image of me I’ve developed over the past 10 years: imagining me, envisioning who I am especially when faced with a challenge. Before I really gave this any attention, my life was pretentious and void: when the party ended I simply did not like me. Over time I realized that I need to change in order for my circumstance to change. My logic was that since I settled on creation over evolution, I need a relationship with The Creator. So I purpose to seek God and became a World Changer, and I’m discovering the me He created me to be rather than the me I had become in this world. Now when something or someone comes against me, I smell sweet and savory victory. There’s one problem, sometimes I procrastinate.

Let’s look at a definition: [proh-kras-tuh-neyt, pruh-] verb, -nat·ed, -nat·ing.

- verb (used without object)
1. to defer action; delay: to procrastinate until an opportunity is lost.

- verb (used with object)
2. to put off till another day or time; defer; delay.

- Synonyms
prolong, postpone.

What was my issue? The issue was that I didn’t want to deal with it [period]. What it? The rewrite it! I want to shoot my short and get on with my Writer/Producer credentials to be qualified for those features I’m going to write and produce some day.

Will somebody hit the breaks! That ONLY happens in the movies. In the real world, practice makes permanent and there’s so much truth to that! For example, some people say “the truth will set you free.” Or does it? That truth is taken out of context and incomplete. Because how many people know the truth about health and ignore it to death? Taken in context, the verse reads “31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; 32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:31 –32 KJV).

What’s the point of all this? For you, I think you know. What I’m saying is get on with that “whatever it is” dog gonnit! Stop procrastinating. Besides, so much more is accomplished when you focus on doing what you set out to do, honor promises you make to yourself, and shift from idle to motion; in word and deed. More often than not, you might discover hidden talents. For me, personally, the point is that His word is truth.

Can you see yourself refined or redefined by a test or trial or do you hold on to the image you have of yourself today because you prefer to defer?

Well, I’m happy to report that I am about 90% done with my second draft proposal, once I get through Distribution/Marketing the rest should be a cakewalk. Last week I completed the rewrite of my second script for submission to BlueCat’s Felini Awards in plenty time to polish it before the final deadline. About a month ago, I finally got around to redesigning my website. Today I finally ripped the carpet up off the stairs and got supplies to treat the wood, potted two plants, and just finished my final blog for 2010. Next year I become PMP Certified, produce a short film, attend at least two out-of-state film festivals, build relationships with local filmmakers and my new AT&T colleagues, replace light fixtures and switch plates, and paint rooms!

Until next year, Happy Writing,
/GM

Writing is rewriting until it’s written!