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Procrastination turns challenges to disasters!

Posted on by Richard Wagener

We have probably heard the somewhat sarcastic saying “why do today what you can put off until tomorrow”.  Unfortunately, this type of talk is usually reserved for those who are watching the world go by and wondering when they are going to get their lucky break.  Of course this lucky break seldom arrives!  A positive future belongs to those with a vision and purpose.  It is attained by those who seize opportunities and don’t let insecurity, fear, distraction and laziness derail their dream.

The worn tyre that should have been changed 2 weeks earlier!

The Worn Tyre!

I was reminded of the importance of taking action and not delaying through a small lesson a couple of days ago.

 I was taking my 4 year old to preschool – she was riding her bike (so cute) and I was running with our 2 year old in the buggie (stroller). Over the past couple of weeks the tyres were showing more and more wear and tear, to the point that you could see the bare thread where the tread had worn completely from parts of the tyre.  On this day, the inevitable happened and we got a flat tyre. The tyre actually had a large hole where it worn through completely and the tube received a small puncture.  I had to run the rest of the way to and from preschool lifting that wheel off the ground – my arms were very sore by the end!

I knew a few weeks earlier that the tyre needed to be changed. I even had a spare tyre in the shed but ‘just did not get around to it’. What a classic statement.  In this case, the ramifications were minor but the learning major.  Here are some key thoughts:

  1. Problems do not normally resolve themselves. They require positive intervention – decision-making, situational management and action as early as possible.  If left, problems normally lead to bigger problems.  Do not bury your head in the sane and pretend the problem does not exist – deal with it even if unpleasant or inconvenient.
  2. If you deal with it early, the problem is normally smaller than if you try and put out fires later.  You are being far more efficient and effective if you address the issue quickly.
  3. Managing a situation in line with your timetable enables you to make more positive decisions than if you are forced to act in crisis mode.   This can save a lot of time, money and heartache.
  4. Keep a close watch on attitudes of insecurity, fear, laziness and indifference that seek to cause us to procrastinate.  Replace these with vision, purpose, planning and prioritising.

Lets be people who take action and make decisions in all areas of our lives.  Act early and decisively and don’t let procrastination rob you of your dream.

 

Hope you enjoyed this post.  Please feel free to leave your feedback and thoughts about this post in the comments below.

Cheers

Richard

 

Richard Wagener

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12 Comments

  1. Great blog Richard. I use to say procrastination is my middle name. Now I am taking action in life now, to better my tomorrow. A lot of times, we as people put things off day after day, after day, and like you said its too late then, because now the damage is done. Not only is it done, but its worse, than when the issue first begin. Its almost like telling a lie. Then you have to cover up that lie with another one, when if you told the truth in the beginning, you wouldn’t have to worry about covering it up. Thanks Rich!

    • Thanks for the feedback. What you say is so true and I am glad you are winning your battle. Of course we all have our momentsbut if it is on important things, it can be very damaging. All the best.
      Richard

  2. Brilliant Topic. I’d like to think that I dont procastinate. Most times I have to do things before it is even thought of. Interestingly enough I have always wondered why some people do an others dont?? I would like to hear from a psychologist point of view. Ive also seen young children that do procrastinate and others dont, is it perhaps a inherited personality trait ?? I believe one can teach yourself not to. Great Blog Richard.

    • Thanks for the comment. Your insights are a wonderful addition to this post – you pose an interesting question.

      I think that there is a lot of our inherent behaviour that is from our make-up from birth. However our default personality and tendency can be managed and adapted to overcome short-comings, even if it can be hard work all our life. We of course all have our own battles and struggles in life to deal with – but overcome we must.

      Here is a quote from a Princeton University student handbook on helping students deal with procrastination:

      “For the most part our reasons for delaying and avoiding are rooted in fear and anxiety — about doing poorly, of not having control of our outcomes, of looking stupid, of having one’s sense of self or self-concept challenged. We avoid doing work to avoid our abilities being judged.”

      Thanks again.

      Richard

  3. This is the very reason why I get up early in the morning and dive into difficult tasks first so that I don’t have to stare at it the entire day, procrastinating. It’s a lazy feeling and I don’t like feeling unproductive, if I can help it.

  5. Hey, Richard

    I agree with you where procrastination is concerned because far too many people put things off until “tomorrow”, but that “tomorrow” never comes.

    Thanks for sharing your insight, and have you also read “Eat That Frog” by Brian Tracy? I highly recommend this book to anybody who is procrastinating.

    Cheers.

    Neil

    • Thanks so much for the read and post, appreciated.

      I have read a bit by Brain Tracy and heard some of his teaching but have not that one.I’ll try and get my hands on it one day.

      Regards and all the best.

      Richard

  6. Hi Richard,
    I am guilty sometimes myself. It takes a lot of effort to keep on pushing in the harried up world. A little passion for something can take you far and keep the momentum going. Great post. Randy

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