I will conquer my procrastination problem. You just wait!

Top 10 reasons to procrastinate: 1.

I had to chuckle when I read about this new application in LifeHacker yesterday: LeechBlock, a Firefox add on, that makes up for a total lack of will power by allowing a user to self-block time sucking websites...

This set blocks five time-wasting sites between the hours of 9-11:30 a.m. and 1-4 p.m. on the weekdays.

I will freely admit that I am a procrastinator. If it weren't for externally imposed deadlines, I am sure my first kindergarten worksheet would still remain unfinished. And I suppose the first step to a cure is admitting one has the disease.

Stephen Covey's Time Management Matrix (from the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People) would put the compulsive checking one's Facebook page, Twitter feed, e-mail, GoogleReader and blog writing right smack in Quadrant IV: Not Important, Not Urgent.

Covey reminds us that the only way to make long term change is by investing time in Quadrant II activities. And he suggests that the only way to increase time in Quadrant II is to steal it from the other Quadrants, especially III and IV.

Now that few of us can use that cigarette break as means of delaying getting on with a big job, the social web has stepped right up to the plate.

I have a long list of ways that you can keep from being a procrastinator and I'll add them to this post - just as soon as I respond to a couple of Tweets and Pokes...

You read it here first

Scholastic Accused of Misusing Book Clubs New York Times, February 9, 2009

What took them so long to break the story? The Blue Skunk covered it last November.

The Pig with the Wooden Leg

A fable, if you will:

A manure spreader salesmen was driving past a farmyard here in southern Minnesota when he spotted a pig with a wooden leg. His curiosity aroused, he pulled in the driveway and over to where Ole was repairing the corn crib.

"Say, Ole," says the salesman, "that's an interesting pig you got there. How'd he get the wooden leg?"

"Oh, yah," says Ole, "that's some pig. Once when the old barn caught fire, that pig rushed into the flames and let all the animals out of their pens so they could run to safety.

"Anudder time when the river flooded, our whole family was on the roof of the house and about to be swept away when that pig swam to the neighbor's house and swam back towing a fishing boat to rescue us.

" And just last summer when a tornado was coming right at the farm, that pig rounded up all the kids and got them into the storm cellar. The house was a goner, but the kids were OK."

The salesman was amazed. "Wow, that is quite the pig, Ole," says he. "So then, during which adventure was it he lost the leg?"

"Oh, he didn't lose the leg," replied Ole. "It's just that you don't eat a pig that good all at one time."

I've been soliciting volunteers to help with different tasks in our state's school library and technology organization. Little things like serving on committees for the upcoming state conference, writing short articles for the newsletter, and taking part in legislative activities.

What percentage of our 600 member "volunteer" organization steps forward? I'd say we have fewer than 50 people who ever take more than a completely passive role. 8%. And of that 50, maybe 20 who are dedicated. 3%.

Why is this? Why can some people with the same 24 hours in a day, same commitments to family and work, same need for leisure still work on volunteer basis while others simply refuse to participate. I am not condemning anyone since I am absolutely certain everyone has a great reason for doing what they do. And god bless every volunteer effort no matter how seemingly small.

Is it something we current active members are doing? Are we too set in our ways? Too clubby? Too poor at communicating the organization's needs?

Here's my fear. I am afraid like the pig with the wooden leg that we may be eating our best people alive. That at some point they will simply say "I've done my bit, served my debt to society the organization, and I am retiring as a volunteer." And the organization loses a wealth of information and experience and talent.

What is your perspective on this? Does the same active vs. inactive ratio apply in the volunteer organizations to which you belong? And what can we do about it?