Procrastination

“Procrastination is like a credit card: it’s a lot of fun until you get the bill.” Christopher Parker

I came across this quote and it spoke to me in such a way that I was provoked to post the quote on social media. The next day after posting, I received an invitation to attend a free 20-minute presentation entitled, “How to Overcome Fear & Procrastination When Building Your Business,” presented by Ray Higdon. These two occurrences caused me to realize that I am not the only one who procrastinates. There! I’ve said it. Yes, I do procrastinate – and I’m not the only one.

There are quotes that tell us to do otherwise.

“…never put off till tomorrow what you can do today.” – Lord Chesterfield

“Procrastination is one of the most common and deadliest of diseases and its toll on success and happiness is heavy.” – Wayne Gretzky

Why do we procrastinate? After much thought, I believe some of us procrastinate because inactivity is predictable. Another quote that I have heard many times is, “If you always do what you’ve always done, you’ll always get what you’ve always gotten.” There are no surprises with inactivity. Inactivity can be comforting, but it is also unrewarding.

Procrastination will not bring you closer to your ultimate goal – whatever that may be. If anything, procrastination can lead to depression because in procrastinating, you’re delaying the achievement of activities and milestones that will bring you closer to your goals.

Don’t allow procrastination to hold you back. Move forward. Stepping forward opens doors that were not open to us prior to the action of moving forward. Moving forward can appear to be fearful because it often leads to the unknown – areas that you are not familiar with. I heard someone else say that everything you want in life is right outside your comfort zone.

How close are you to your goal? How close are you to everything you want in life right now? Is the next step that you’re procrastinating, the step that will lead you to your goals? A few years ago, I wrote a poem about the first step. Do you see yourself in this poem?

THE FIRST STEP©

Waiting for the perfect moment

To take the first step.

You know the first step

Is the most important step.

Therefore, it must be perfect.

The first step occurs once in a lifetime.

The first step cannot be repeated.

Otherwise it’s no longer the first step.

Right?

So, I’m waiting…

To take that first step

That most important step.

I could step out, now.

But… No…

That first step is so important.

I can’t mess it up.

It’s the first step.

The step that occurs

Once in a lifetime.

As life passes me by

I continue to wait.

The timing must be perfect.

So…I wait…

I wait…

I wait…

But…wait!

In my waiting, I realize

That I serve a God

Who orders my steps.

He orders

My first step

My last step

And my in-between steps.

He has Dominion over all

And He gave me

Dominion over all –

Including that ever illusive first step.

So, don’t fear.

Step out.

Don’t despair.

Step out.

Don’t delay.

Take that first step now.

And if you falter

Take that first step again

And again.

It’s called new beginnings.

The wait is over.

The wait has ended.

I’m stepping OUT!

Are you with me?

By Lorraine M. Castle