SPEECH 3 Procrastination

·       PROCRASTINATION

Today I am going to talk about a very important skill. One that comes in useful time and time again.

·      I think it is something that you get better at with practice.

·      I am talking about procrastination and my mum says that I am a master at it, so I am here to share what I know with you.

·      I did not know what mum meant at first when she called me a master procrastinator but now I know.

·      Procrastination is the art of avoiding what you should be doing and doing something else.

·      For example on school days in the morning I should be eating breakfast, getting dressed and packing my bag.

·      BORING am I right???

·      I can find so many more interesting things to do without even really trying.

·       I watch TV pat the dog, annoy my brother – all much more interesting things to be doing in the morning, you see what I mean?

·      There are a few tips I can give you as a master procrastinator.

·      The first one is to go into stealth mode and don’t get caught doing whatever it is you are doing to avoid doing what you should be doing are you with me?

·       Make sure that what you have chosen to do is not annoying. For example playing loud music. This could draw unwanted parent attention and put a quick end to your procrastination.

·      The other tip I give you is to make the activity you have chosen sound every bit as important as what you should be doing.

·       Lets pretend my name is Mary Ann. Mary Anne are you doing your homework?? I am just organising my desk mum so I can concentrate on my work.

·       Hard for any parent to argue with that right? In the meantime you could finish reading the good book you left on your desk so that it is ready to be put away.

·      Procrastination in the classroom situation is a bit more tricky but not impossible.

·       Of course there is always going to the toilet or sharpening your pencil to delay starting your work.

·      You can also put your hand up to do jobs for the teacher that works well. Talking to your friends is always much more fun though there is some risk involved in that in the classroom.

·      You must never ever walk back from lunch, the office or the toilet quickly. Take your time if you are returning to class for a subject you do not like.

·      You can also always ask the teacher to run through their example to a question again to help delay the work that you know is coming your way.

·      So you see with a bit of careful thinking procrastination is possible in the classroom.

·      I think that some of you here today might be good at procrastination. (##nose tap##)

·       I know that I am missing out on double maths this morning. I am sure I will need to know about fractions someday- but not today.

·      I have shared my knowledge with you today. I look forward to hearing your speeches and readings today because there is no point in racing back to school now is there.