So many people procrastinate. As a “do it now” type of person, I really cannot understand it! I believe procrastination steals so much more than time; it steals joy, happiness, success, health, and so much more.

You might be asking the question, “How does procrastination steal joy?” Well, just imagine that when someone procrastinates – what they’re really doing is putting off something that can be done today, until some future time – whenever that might be. Can you imagine if someone is in a relationship, a job , some type of circumstance that causes them great distress; yet they just sit there in that mess and never do anything to change it? Wouldn’t you say then that procrastination can steal your joy – since, if you decide to either change your behavior or circumstances – there is the possibility that you can be joyful again?

I think of it this way. I ask myself the question – “What if this was my very last day on this earth? Hey – it could be. Does anyone KNOW when their last day on this earth will be? I certainly don’t. So – if this were your last day on this earth; how would you love your children, your spouse, your parents, your friend? Would you “put off” things that are important until “some day?” Would you pursue your dreams “tomorrow?” – because you know what they say – tomorrow never comes, because when it comes, it will be today. And if YOU do not decide to do it today – who do you think will?

There is a saying, “Change before you have to.” I think it’s equally important to “Do what you need to do before you have to.” Take care of your health before you have to, stop doing drugs before you have to, stop overindulging in alcohol before you have to, stop overindulging in junk food before you have to, discipline your child before you have to, take care of you family before you have to, get that degree before you have to …

Stop putting things off. I’m not saying we don’t all fall in a rut where we just don’t “feel” like doing anything. Just make that be the exception – rather than the rule. There is so much we can accomplish if we’ll just do what we need to do and stop hitting that “snooze” button!