The Personal Project

Being the theatrical and somewhat dramatic person that I pride myself in being, I like to tell stories in the form of a play. Sometimes, it’s just easier. This is one of those times.

Time: Present day
Setting: Classroom of freshmen

(Curtain opens to reveal a scene with TEACHER standing in front of a classroom full of sleep-deprived, inattentive STUDENTS. TEACHER is visiting the class to give them some “special” news.)

Teacher: Okay, class. Over the summer, you are going to have to do a project! Your assignment: do anything you want about anything you want! 

Students: ….. 

Scene.

Introducing: The Personal Project. The project that must be unrelated to school and about anything your little heart desires. Yes, that is something that apparently exists.

Image credit: http://personalproject.qata
racademy.wikispaces.net/ 

In theory, it sounds like an inspired idea; I've always thought the school system was too limiting in what the students could do. This is the chance to do that one thing you have always wanted to do. If you can think of that one thing, that is.

How hard can it be? you’re thinking. (Yes, in fact, I do read minds now.) The answer: a lot harder than I thought.

I mean, I want to do something that hasn't been done before. I don’t want to be compared to other projects. I want mine to be memorable, unique, and interesting. And when you put those constraints, my perfectionism, and my indecisiveness into a mixing bowl, you get a loaf of fresh-baked, wasted time.

In short, for me, at least, deciding on what to do for my Personal Project has been… hard. To say the least.

Hey, Muse? Yeah, it's me. Feel free to come on down here for a quick second and bestow an ingenious idea on me. I'll have some wasted time for you. Right out of the oven. Yum.

Well, now I’m off to pick a topic. Go team.

…Or maybe I’ll just get some sleep. PROCRASTINATORS FOR THE WIN.