By now, the majority of area high schools have resumed and college students are making their way back to campus. For the most part, everyone is starting with a clean slate. No one is behind on homework. Everyone is passing their classes. Some have the highest grades they will have all year.
With my youngest daughter starting high school this week, we talked about staying on top of her homework, not putting the work off until the last minute, and asking her teachers for help so she can get it done and get it done right.
Of course, this came after a summer of nagging and cajoling to get her summer homework done. As my kids work their way through the school system, my husband and I have tried to instill the idea that it is better to get something done sooner rather than later.
Yet, every year the same thing happens. They have required summer reading for their English classes, which entails an essay or report about the books in question. And without fail, the week before school starts, the day before school resumes, heck, even the morning of the first day....they are sitting at their desks, frantically trying to finish their reports.
It is especially worse their junior year of high school - when they have their own dad as a teacher and the debate about the books and the essays happens over the dinner table.
But procrastination isn’t just limited to those returning to school. I have found it to be a life-long habit, a habit that is hard to break. Yet, I am holding out hope that if we can learn the habit of procrastination, we can also learn the habit of getting things done on time - and reduce stress - with just a few changes.
Be first.
Maybe it is volunteering first to host a group where everyone will host at some point. Maybe it is giving a speech first in class. Maybe it is writing an article first for an organization you belong to. When there is an option, there are many reasons to go first.
For starters, expectations are low. You don’t have the worry of going after someone who has knocked it out of the park. You get to set the bar as high - or low - as you want.
But more importantly, it is one less thing weighing on your mind. When you get something done first, it can be a relief, especially knowing others still have to complete the task.
Make your bed.
If you get nothing else done the rest of your day, you have accomplished one thing if you make your bed first thing in the morning. And it sets the tone for the rest of the day, knowing that you have done at least one thing already.
It only took me 20 years, but my husband makes the bed every morning after we are both up. And it is simply soothing to walk into our bedroom to a well-made - mostly - bed.
I’m still in a battle with my kids, who use the argument that I remember saying growing up: Why make your bed when you are just going to mess it up that night? One battle at a time.
Eat the frog.
Finally, one of the best pieces of advice I’ve ever heard is “eat the frog” (and it is a great visual).
To put it bluntly, you should eat the frog before anything else, because it can only get better from there. In other words, if you have something unpleasant or burdensome or something you have simply been putting it off, you should do it first thing in the day because then everything after that is going to be easy or at least relatively better in comparison.
There is even a work-out facility called “Eat the Frog” Gyms, which I thought was brilliant because who really likes to work out. As someone who works out first thing in the morning, I do it because it is one thing I can cross off my to-do list. And while I don’t hate exercise, I do find myself counting down the laps until I can get to my coffee club.
So good luck to all the returning students, teachers and school staff. I hope it is a year filled with success, achievements and getting things done...in a timely manner with - or without- eating a frog.
Most likely, we aren't going to be good at something at the start. But that shouldn't stop us from trying.
August 2025 Volunteer of the Month Bruce McDowell can be found walking around McCook for his health, to be helpful or maybe even attend a meeting.
It takes work and effort to be social but its vital to our community.
McCook's young people are shaping their hometown through a various projects.
MCFF Summer Hometown Intern Natalie Roberts shares how her perspective on McCook changed over the past few months.
With the McCook Aquatic Center closing soon for the season, another tradition - Mr. Bill and his 25-cent snow-cones - will likely be coming to an end soon too.
McCook among five Nebraska communities in Revitalize and Thrive Program
Getting Outside of National Night Out Nearly everyone can tell you their last interaction with the police or the fire department. And unfortunately because of the nature of the organizations, it is usually not at a positive moment. My last contact with the McCook Police Department was just a few weeks ago, when I was pulled over on B Street in McCook…on my scooter. I pulled into the wrong lane when making a turn, which is illegal. But in my defense, it was an act of self-defense to just get through the intersection of East B and Sixth streets alive. Since the drivers haven’t seen a stop-light since Holdrege, cars and semis regularly run the traffic light, which makes me a wee bit vulnerable as I pass through the lanes. I got off with a warning but the true punishment were the texts throughout the day from everyone who saw me with my scooter and the police officer. Since most exchanges with police and fire are not on good terms, National Night Out was created to have an evening of positive interactions, to remind the public that the police and fire departments are just normal people, doing their jobs, looking out for their friends and neighbors, trying to create a safe community for everyone. National Night Out is designed to simply join your friends and neighbors for an evening of fellowship and fun. It is an opportunity to meet local law enforcement, creating safer and more caring neighborhoods. McCook is joining thousands of other communities across the country in hosting National Night Out, which typically takes place on the first Tuesday of August every year. Planned for Tuesday, Aug. 5 from 5:30-7 p.m. in and around Norris Park in McCook, the night includes a bike parade, a walk, awards for bike decorating, desserts and more. In other words, it is simply a block party to hang out. Numerous organizations have come together to make the evening possible. CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) and the McCook Rotary Club are hosting a bike parade that starts at 6 p.m. Linda Maiden with State Farm, a bicycle helmet advocate, will also be in Norris Park. The streets around Norris Park will be shut down to provide a safe area to ride, as well as more space to cruise around the block. Participants are encouraged to decorate their bike, scooter, roller skates or anything on wheels. This could mean streamers, pompom balls, markers or even the old classic - playing cards in the spokes of your wheels. Some supplies will be available at the park for use if you show up and realize you are the most underdressed person at the party. If your bike has an inch of dust on it, this is a great time to get it out, wipe it off and get it rolling. And if your bike needs minimal fixes like a flat tire or a brake adjustment, bike tools will be on hand along with myself and my hubbie, who know just enough about bike repair to be dangerous but did manage a 300-plus mile bike ride last week so we must be doing something right. But let’s say you don’t have a bike or biking isn’t your cup of tea? Then you are still encouraged to join the “Walk in the Park,” hosted by Community Hospital. Designed to encourage a healthy lifestyle, walkers will stroll around the park and the neighborhood at whatever pace you feel like with strollers and dogs on leashes welcomed. And perhaps most importantly, there will be a chance to meet members of the McCook Police and Fire Department, getting to see police cars and fire engines close-up in a non-emergency manner, always the best way to see them. And if the weather cooperates, there may be a fire hose, water and spraying involved. If you have been at the Culbertson Fourth of July parade, you know it is up to you to stay out of the line of fire if you want to remain dry. We all have excuses for why we don’t want to go out at night, especially after a long day at work. But National Night Out in McCook on Aug. 5 is a great reason to get out your bicycle and lace up your walking shoes. Hang out with your friends, get to know your neighbors and meet your first responders. That is what makes our communities just a little bit better.
Judy McCune named July 2025 McCook volunteer of the month
Joyce Anderson named June 2025 McCook Volunteer of the Month
