Procrastination

Procrastination is my sin,
It bring me naught but sorrow,
I know, I must stop it,
In fact I will tomorrow.
-Anonymous

Why do we procrastinate? Well, because we have all the time to do so. But then again we know that we are mortal and soon will be carried to the grave. So this argument doesn’t bode well. My belief is that we procrastinate because we are afraid that once we finish our task we have no other things to do – being human the worst thing that could happen to you is to do nothing. Thus, the saying “If you want things done give it to a busy person.” Because busy person don’t run out of things to do, therefore they don’t have the luxury of procrastination that I and perhaps some of us indulge.

How do you cure procrastination then? Some said “deadline is the best motivator.” Once the deadline nears procrastination seems to disappear. How about lavishing yourself with rewards once things get done. Maybe, especially if you have something to pamper yourself.

If there is something to be blamed for the emergence of procrastination as habit then it’s our civilization. Put it this way, we are hunters and gatherers with animal instinct. We are constantly in search of food there is not time to wait at that time procrastination is not an option. However, as we evolve as society food becomes plenty – thus affording us the time to doze and relax. We lost that instinct that guides all other living things in the planet. Have you ever seen an ant procrastinate or a bee take time to rest. Well, with the exception of the foolish grasshoppers every living thing seems to be busy doing one thing or the other. I think the only remaining instinct that we have is the urge to procreate of which nobody procrastinate.

So the next time you feel procrastinating think of it as way to procreate. You never know the next time you finish at task it may be your masterpiece.