Procrastination and Procrastinators in Old Time Radio

We have been meaning to publish this collection for some time, but something else always seems to come up ...

In our hurried, competitive world there is little wonder that procrastination comes with more than a little stigma. Successful people try to tell us that 'five minutes early is on time', which means that 'on time' is late! It is almost too much to keep up with. 

Procrastination comes from the Latin terms for 'pro' or 'forward', and 'crast' or 'tomorrow', so it is literally moving to tomorrow, something which causes no end of consternation to our predominately Puritan work ethic. From the time we can walk we are told to "Never put off until tomorrow what can be done today!" On the surface, this is, of course, very good advice and not following it is the epitome of laziness. However, there are also some very good reasons not to follow this dictum.

Many times we would like to believe that we have something better to do than 'what we are supposed to do'; the weather is too nice to be inside studying, why wash the dishes when our favorite team is playing in the championship? Surprisingly, putting off some tasks is a very good idea. Maybe the prices will go down overnight if we wait to put gasoline in the car. Maybe we will start feeling better on our own if we wait until tomorrow to go to the doctor. If we wait until later to do our homework, maybe an earthquake will strike and knock the school down.

It comes down to risk versus reward and pleasure over pain. The psychiatrists have great explanations for all of it, but for now, I think that I will listen to another Jack Benny episode instead of washing the windows.

• The Aldrich Family, February 10, 1949. Mother tells Father that she is concerned about Henry's report card, in the middle of Saturday morning breakfast, Father realizes that Henry needs to buckle down and stop procrastinating, right now! Henry only has a little homework this weekend, just enough to finish right before class on Monday but no, better to finish it now with Father's help, but they both have better things to do on a Saturday.
• Fibber McGee and Molly, July 8, 1954. Fibber wants to take Molly to the police thrill show when he spots a cop across the street in the middle of the block. The cop gives the McGees' tickets to the show and tickets for jaywalking! The Wistful Vista Police won't know what hit them when Fibber shows up to the show carrying a lawbook.
• The Little Big Woman Radio Show, May 28, 2003, "Premature Procrastination". Cynthia is an out of work actress who performs as a temp to make ends meet. Today, however, she has a gig with a very attractive leading man.