Procrastination: The Silent Dream Killer

Why Knowing Better Doesn’t Mean Doing Better

You’ve heard it all before, right? The dangers of procrastination detailed in thousands of articles, videos and motivational speeches. And here you are, still procrastinating, still letting potential slip away through your fingers like sand.

That's the cruel irony. Your shelves are cluttered with productivity books and your dreams are collecting dust in the corner.

Procrastination is that companion we all know so well: the one who challenges us to keep going when deadlines get tight by saying “just a little bit longer” and before we know it, we’re doing everything but working on the task at hand. It’s the universal struggle of humanity that unites us in our shared fight against what we hope to do versus the comfort of “not yet.” The truth? It’s not always the doing of the thing that’s most difficult but the start of the damn thing!

The brain is wired to chase pleasure and avoid pain. And that course you need to enrol in for a chance at getting a job or promotion at work? Pure pain, my friend! So yes, you’ll rather immerse yourself in your favourite shows on Netflix than do the needful.

But here’s something nobody tells you: procrastination isn’t always about being lazy. Some of it is about confusion. Some of it, about depression. Sometimes when our need for happiness, clarity or affection amongst others are unmet, we delay on important tasks simply because they do not satisfy our emotional needs.

The solution isn’t complicated, but it is difficult. Break down complex tasks into smaller manageable parts. By doing that, you can easily see yourself celebrating little victories and motivating yourself towards achieving the bigger task. There are times when all you need is just five minutes of concentration. No phone. No chit-chat with someone. No distractions. Just you and that thing you’ve been avoiding. Know that discipline does not equal perfect days. It’s about showing up, even on the imperfect days.

So the next time you find yourself postponing your workout sessions or bible study or that family outing for long periods, remember the consequences of your actions. It’s not just about the time being wasted but about who you are becoming while those tasks remain undone.

The clock's ticking. And what you do in the next five minutes, is up to you.