The end of procrastination as we know it...

I've been working fairly hard this year at not procrastinating.  Sometimes that works for me, sometimes it doesn't.  I was asked to present a keynote address at Ball State University to the Communication Studies department on their alumni day.  It's a real honor, and an opportunity to give back to the university where I learned how to be me.  It's been very interesting reminiscing the past few days as I put together my presentation.  I'm really making an effort not to procrastinate on this one... so I've been using my train commute in the mornings and afternoons to work on the slides that I'll be speaking to.

This is a major departure for me.  Typically I wait until the last minute to accomplish things.  But this new-found energy is coming from that deep down part of all of us where we never get tired waxing the nostalgic.  I've been thinking about the people who have had a major influence in my life, both professionally and personally.  My time at Ball State was wonderful and difficult at the same time.  I learned who I was, developed new abilities I didn't know I had, and met some wonderful people who have continued to be in touch (whether on Facebook or in real life) for the past 15 years.  All this nostalgia is also making me think of High School and the looming 20-year High School Reunion from PHHS - also a place where I started my journey of self discovery.

So, I've been talking with people about putting together the reunion, planning this speech, thinking deeply about who I am and when I changed from the sweetly naive kid I was to the cuddly and sarcastic adult I am today.  Through it all, I'm feeling like the focus on ending my procrastination is helping to bring out the best in me, not only professionally, but also personally.  I'm getting involved in things like I used to do... I'm communicating and planning more.  I feel like 2012 really is the end of the boring me and the beginning of the Tyson I've meant to be for so long.  So, what are you waiting for?