Procrastination is a thief

  • Published
  • By Chief Master Sgt. Larry Totten
  • 22nd Mission Support Squadron
MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. --  I recently attended a training conference on Conquering the Challenges of a Changing Working Environment. As you might expect at a conference such as this one, seminars on leadership and management, career development, communication skills, continuing professional education, and information technology were discussed in some detail. 

While these subjects were rewarding and stimulating, I was especially motivated during a seminar given by author Jewel-Diamond Taylor on Personal Development, covering the subject of procrastination. She stated "procrastination is a thief that steals your money, time, good credit, ideas, health and good sleep." 

First off, let me give you a very simplistic definition of what procrastination is. It's the habit of deferring and postponing unpleasant, different and/or burdensome actions. If you have developed a pattern of avoiding tasks and decisions that need to be accomplished, you are a procrastinator. Procrastination has painful and costly consequences. It interferes with your professional, personal, financial and academic success. What has the thief of procrastination stolen from you? 

As a recovering procrastinator, I'd like to share a few tips I've learned over the years to help you overcome this habit. They are not listed in any certain order of importance. 

·Stop doing trivial and busy-body stuff. Start working on what matters. 

·Have a get-it-done list and use it daily. 

· Create more balance in your life by making time for leisure and relaxation. 

· If you're not clear about what is expected of you to complete a task, ask questions. 

·Reward yourself for accomplishment and progress. Buy that favorite CD, take a nap, go 
dancing, get a therapeutic massage, go to a comedy show, visit a good friend, etc. 

·Take care of your health. If you're exhausted and dragging all the time, you won't feel like getting started and completing a task. 

· Snap out of it! Stop telling yourself, "Things will take care of themselves." That's a dreamer talking! That's denial! No one is coming to rescue and save you from doing it. 

·Post reminders, signs, slogans, notes and lists on your door, mirror, notebook, etc., so you'll see them frequently. 

·When you're trying to recover from setbacks, neglect of important life issues or reckless choices, don't blame or attack others. Blame and anger waste energy and damage relationships. Accept your own responsibilities. Become accountable for your choices and lifestyle. Don't give up ... Grow up! 

·Do unpleasant things first and get them out of the way. 

·Take 15 minutes at the end of each day to put things away and look at the calendar for the next day. Gather what you need ahead of time so you will be prepared for tomorrow. 

·Forgive yourself for past mistakes. Wisdom comes from experience. Experience comes from mistakes. 

·Start the habit of dealing with responsibilities in small steps (return phone calls the same day, repair a broken object the same day, hang up your clothes when you take them off, etc.) 

·Keep a "time journal" of how you spend your time. Evaluate it after a week or month. This will help you identify and eliminate your time wasters.

Procrastination is birthed from fear. Fear is a faith killer. Fear robs you of your peace of mind. Fear blocks your blessings. Fear whispers in your ear..."Do it tomorrow." "It will go away." "Don't even try because you're not capable, deserving or ready."

Action speaks louder than fear. You can act your way into feeling like doing something before you can feel your way into action. If you wait until you feel like doing the paperwork, making the call, exercising, etc., you may never get started. 

Don't wait until you think you have all the answers and courage to get started. Those things will come as you begin to take those steps. Once you make up your mind, get up and moving, the favor, mercy, grace and blessing of God will begin to move on your behalf.