Procrastination has become synonymous with destruction and waste. Simply put, it is the deliberate postponement of important things and the seeming inability to prioritize tasks and activities. We all engage in some form of procrastination and may have lost a number of things due to this terrible habit.

Nigeria as a nation is in its current state because of procrastination among its leaders and bureaucrats as well.

Times without number we see Nigerians wait for the ‘last day’ to do anything thereby creating chaos and unnecessary tension. The 2003 botched national identity registration exercise is a case in point where many Nigerians did not register until the twilight of the national registration campaign.

The inability to get things done has become a challenge and the daily ‘to-do’ list becomes a luxury that serves no purpose. Procrastination not only destroys relationships and raises doubts about trust; it also leads one to lose opportunities that life rarely thrusts at us. Indeed, the famous quote, ‘Time and chance happens to them all’ holds true without any doubt.

Examples

Often times, we get to work in the morning unwilling to do anything serious. I recollect some days at work when I felt like just going back home simply because I spent hours commuting from home to work.

We keep doing less important things or nothing altogether pushing the important tasks to the background only to place ourselves in embarrassing and difficult situations when deadlines are near.

This dangerous attitude is replicated in our everyday lives as we leave important and life changing tasks undone. 

Effects of Procrastination

• Causes pain, frustration and stress
• Lack of fulfillment
• Costly
• Unhappiness to other people
• Affects other people
• Bitterness with self

What to Do

• Do what you need to do now and not later. Remember ‘time changes yesterday’
• Self discipline and keep the daily ‘to-do’ list through and through.
• Account efficiently for the 24 hours of the day. At the end of the day, review and determine ‘what went well’ and ‘what did not go well’
• Always ensure the environment is one that suits you to do what you need to. For instance, if you are a stickler for neatness, then, you definitely want a neat surrounding to perform efficiently.
• Avoid time wasters like ‘surfing the internet’ and ‘chatting’ when you need to get work done.
• Set time limits for tasks even if you do not have one.
• Seek help. Friends, acquaintances and colleagues can help drive one constantly thereby getting things done as quickly as possible.
• Be persistent and committed to getting things done
• Say no when you need to. Remember, there is time for everything under the sun.