THE DEADLY DISEASE CALLED PROCRASTINATION
Various authors have made it their life mission to guide us in improving this deadly disease called procrastination – “The Now Habit” by Neil Fiore; “The Procrastination Equation” by Piers Steel; “Stop Procrastinating” by Nils Salzgeber; “The Power of Now” by Eckhart Tolle etc.
This topic particularly speaks to me because I realize how much of a procrastinator I am. Sometimes, I feel like it’s my second nature – since it comes so naturally to me. Unfortunately, it is not something to be proud of; but the beauty of life is sharing our shortcomings with each other for us to grow.
Procrastination is one of the challenges that I face every day. It is the primary reason why I have not posted any new piece in a long while. Sometime last year, I set out to journal my adventure during my Exchange Program but alas! I got so caught up with other things that I did not bother to keep to my word. I keep making a list of things that I want to do but I never see it through. I wait till the end of a deadline before I start working on a task and sometimes, I wonder if I enjoy the thrill.
I know we are all guilty of this terrible disease, and for those who aren’t, PLEASE KEEP it up!
Procrastination affects various areas of our lives and one thing we fail to realize is that time waits for no one. The truth is I think we all know time will never wait for us, but we just get so carried away that we forget to prioritize and make hay while the sun shines.
Even the Bible has a thing or two to say about this disease! One of my favorite scriptural reference regarding procrastination is – “Do not say to your neighbor, “Go, and come again, tomorrow I will give it”—when you have it with you.”- Proverbs 3:28. Just do it now if you can!!!!
Another important reference was when a disciple of Jesus said he needed to say goodbye to his family before following Jesus! Priorities! What if that was the only opportunity, he had to follow Jesus? I bet his family would still be there waiting, though I hope he made the right choice and followed Jesus immediately.
I have often wondered how this terrible habit of mine did not affect my work life – I have been described as diligent and reliable (and I don’t think those things go well with procrastination). I have come to realize that I tend to forget that I have only one life and fail to live it to the fullest. I try to do tomorrow what I could have done today. However, I have made a resolution yet again to be better! I have committed to writing as often as I can, preferably every week, taking my exercise routine seriously, prioritizing tasks and doing what can be done immediately.
The best way to get rid of this antagonizing disease is to keep moving forward and remembering that time will never wait for us. We shall still get carried away, but we keep moving forward.
I hope I have been able to encourage someone today, just as I have encouraged myself! Make that call, do that exercise, read that book, submit that application, complete that plan, prepare that meal, start that love walk! I am sincerely hopeful that there will be a steady progress starting from TODAY!
Ciao!