The Perils of Procrastination

Procrastination: to habitually put off something that should/could be done now

Have you ever put off until tomorrow what you could have started or done today?

Of course, everyone has procrastinated or delayed activities for another day—and sometimes never get to them at all! How many of these procrastination statements have you heard?

1. I’ll go on my diet tomorrow, after this piece of birthday cake.
2. Once the weather improves, I’ll begin my new fitness program.
3. I’d like to visit my uncle, but we are very busy right now.
4. We’ll go on that extended holiday next year.
5. I’ll talk to my kids about drugs soon, but not right now.
6. I’d like to take that college class, but it might better to delay that until...
7. When the kids leave home, my spouse and I will have time to go out on dates again.
8. When I get a pay raise, I’ll start saving.
9. When they start acting nice, I will, too.
10. Don’t worry; I’ll make a will soon and encourage my parents to do the same.
11. We’ll launch our marketing program once sales increase.
12. I’ll write that book next year, when I’ll have more time.
13. I’ll call my friends next week, once school is out.

And so on...

What has your lack of action (procrastination) cost you in lost opportunities and/or experiences? For most people, the price is far greater than expected, and, in many cases, the desired action is never started, engaged or completed. Let’s go back to the examples listed above.

1. You never did go on that diet, and now your weight is a serious health risk.
2. The weather improved, but you found a new excuse for not exercising, putting your health at risk.
3. Your uncle passed away suddenly, before you had a chance to visit him.
4. The extended holiday simply never materialized.
5. The police call to say your child is in serious condition in hospital due to a drug overdose.
6. You never did take that college course and, as a result, have been stuck for the past decade in a job you hate.
7. Because you rarely spent any quality time with your spouse, he/she left you before the kids did.
8. You retired broke because you felt you never had enough money to save.
9. You’ve hurt relationships, burned bridges and held grudges because you kept waiting for others to “act nice first.”
10. You wish your parents had made a will. Most of their assets were wasted on lawyers and probate court. It took you over a year to get your youngest sister back from the public guardian and trustee because no guardian was named for her.
11. Your business went bankrupt because you never got the marketing program launched.
12. You never got around to writing that book and later found out someone else took your idea and successfully wrote about it.
13. You’ve lost more than one friend by delaying communication.

Many of these sound like worst-case scenarios, but they can be traced back to procrastination.

Just. Do. It. Now! Why? In the past couple years, three of my friends/colleagues have passed away from cancer―one was less than eight weeks after their diagnosis. Without being morbid, let’s pretend you have one year to live and that you will be healthy during that year. But make no mistake―at the end of the year, your contribution to this world will end.

Would you do anything differently?

What things have you put off that you no longer should avoid doing?

Another factor that creates a “stalemate” for many people is the all-or-nothing mindset. If I can’t do my entire list, I won’t do any of it. How silly is that? Individuals focus on what they can’t do rather than what they can do. That limits their success and increases their level of procrastination.

To get you started in thinking differently about getting things done, read and follow the steps below (these and additional steps are included at the end of the article).

1. Write a list of all the items you have put off to a later date. The list should include things you wanted to do, both personally and professionally, things you wanted to own (“stuff”) and relationships you wanted to have and/or improve. By the way, write your list now, not later!
2. Once you have completed the list, review it to determine whether you honestly desire those items. We all change. What once was important might no longer be so. Revise and fine-tune your list to reflect your current goals and wishes.
3. Separate your list into three categories:

• Things you want to do or accomplish
• Things you want to have
• Relationships you want to build or enrich

4. Once you have created the categories, prioritize each list. This is a very important step so that you don’t start feeling overwhelmed. Taking one actual step is much better than merely thinking about taking 10 steps.

5. Pick an item you have been procrastinating about and just do it! Do whatever it takes to begin. Motion begets motion; action begets action.

6. Enjoy the journey of enjoying the journey. People can be so focused on achieving the objective, they miss the enjoyment of the process of doing.

7. Get support and help if you need it. Many people are willing to help if you ask.

Many of your choices will not require much (or any) money. On the other hand, some will involve fiscal resources and that might result in a conflict of your core beliefs.

Let me explain. Let’s say you have money saved for your retirement but don’t have enough for an item you want to have, or event you want to attend, now. What should you do? The financial experts say you should save your money and leave it alone until you retire. In wealth-building, compound interest creates momentum. But what do you do when that plan is in conflict with a more immediate priority?

First, I am not your fiscal advisor, so ultimately, you must choose what is right for you. But I will share with you how you might manage choices that seem to be in conflict.

Rule One: Don’t put off things that cannot be achieved or repeated at a future date—or delay anything that would have long-term, detrimental ramifications.

Rule Two: If you feel confident that you have the means and ability to replace your savings and resources at a future date, make your decision based on your mortality, not your longevity.

The next step is to take action on this priority and stop procrastinating.

I am not suggesting that you create obligations beyond your ability to pay or that you live beyond your means. Those two rules are guidelines to help you make decisions. Best you can, embrace all that life has to offer now! And if your resources are contributing to your procrastination, look at the source of your problem—your limited resources.

Your year of life is almost up now. You look back on the past months as a satisfied, content, fulfilled and happy individual. What did you do with your time? Did you change your approach and your choices from the way you had been doing them before your “diagnosis?”

I encourage you to fully engage your life. Don’t delay the important things.

And make no mistake, procrastination has cost everyone dearly, myself included. It’s a matter of how much you can limit the damage.

To help you on the road to being more proactive and deliberate about your life, I will recommend a couple of CRG’s resources for you. The Personal Style Indicator, Values Preference Indicator and Self-Worth Inventory will assist you to be clearer about yourself so you can be intentional with all your decisions. Taking no action is to procrastinate.

Most of us go through life as failures, because we are waiting for the “time to be right” to start doing something worthwhile. Do not wait. The time will never be “just right.”

Napoleon Hill Think and Grow Rich

Action Steps

1. Make a list (in writing) of all the items you have put off until a later date. This list should include things you wanted to do, both personally and professionally, things you wanted to own (“stuff”) and relationships you wanted to have and/or improve. Make your list now!
2. Once you have completed this list, review it to determine whether you honestly desire those items. We all change. What once was important might no longer be so. Revise and fine-tune your list to reflect your current goals and wishes.
3. Separate your list into three categories:

• Things you want to do or accomplish
• Things you want to have
• Relationships you want to build or enrich

4. Once you have created the categories, prioritize each list. This is a very important step so that you don’t start feeling overwhelmed. Taking one actual step is much better than merely thinking about taking 10 steps.

5. Equip yourself with the personal knowledge and awareness to intentionally reduce your procrastination with confidence; complete CRG’s Personal Style Indicator, Values Preference Indicator and Self-Worth Inventory.

6. Look at your list to discover why you have procrastinated. Next, outline what your procrastination is costing you. Finally, project into the future that you have succeeded in achieving, doing or being what you have listed. How do you feel? Great, right?

7. Pick an item you have been procrastinating about and just do it! I suggest you do whatever it takes to begin. Motion begets motion; action begets action.

8. Get support and help if you need it. Many people are willing to help if you just ask. Don’t procrastinate on doing that, either.

9. Release any guilt you might have regarding your procrastination; guilt will only contribute to your delays.

10. Enjoy the journey of enjoying the journey. People can be so focused on achieving the objective, they miss the enjoyment of the process of doing.

11. Celebrate your successes! Nothing reduces procrastination more than an On Purpose person in motion.

Until next time,

Keep Living On Purpose!

Ken Keis

PS. Let me know if there is something in particular you'd like for me to write about! Send me an email to [email protected]

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