Supplemental Post A: 25 Ways to Avoid Actually Working While Still Bieng Semi-Productive

1. Remember—suddenly—the laundry, dishes, or dirty bathroom that weren’t so urgent before now.
2. Call your favorite aunt who can talk for hours. And needs to. Let her talk.
3. Sweep the stairs outside, under the perpetually molting Chinese elm. Think about how much you hate that tree; then reflect on how much shade it gives your car.
4. Comment on blogs. Justify this by looking at family and friends you usually allow ample living space.
5. Change your clothes four times in preparation for the day. Shower in between cleaning.
6. Take a nap. You need one.
7. Go to the library under the guise of research. Stop to acknowledge everyone you recognize.
8. Make a list of all the things you need to do. Add a few items you can already check off--just because.
9. Choose a few items from that list and be more specific.
10. Ponder your life goals. (Create life goals).
11. Go for a walk to commune with nature.
12. Go for a walk to get out.
13. Think about grocery shopping (or laundry or errands or your long list…)
14. Go grocery shopping (or do the laundry or errands or something from the long list). Check that off your list.
15. Pick up a fascinating article or book you’ve been meaning to get to all month.
16. Be daring. Be bold. Introduce yourself to the neighbors. ("Do I dare? Do I dare / disturb the universe?")
17. Review the direction for what you should be doing. If longer than a page, make notes to yourself in the margin. Call these “ideas.”
18. Notice the clutter of your desk, bedroom, kitchen, pockets—and tidy up.
19. You need music to really accomplish anything worthwhile. Skim through Jim Brickman and Jesse Cook to Bon Jovi and Rush. Be sentimental about Amy Grant and Christmas songs. Reflect on SR-71 and Dashboard Confessional. Skip Mozart today; you’re not feeling that inspired. If you can’t settle on anything, open Pandora.com. Skip the songs that don’t fit your mood (which tends to be most of them).
20. Appreciate the hard labor you demand of your body. Get up and stretch.
21. Check your phone for text messages. Or voicemail. Or anything. Maybe send one.
22. Look again at the requirements of the project you should be doing. Scratch out an outline on the spare newspaper in front of you. Realize that the image on the front page could really supplement your argument or theme. Consider ways to incorporate it and call this “research.”
23. Look at the clock. Panic. Try to gain control of yourself.
24. Decide you have too many other pressing responsibilities.
25. Revel in an activity of your choice. Don’t think about your assignment.

Word Count: 461
Time: 40 minutes

P.S. I don't recommend avoiding your assignments!