Procrastination: The Deceptive Friend Holding You Back!
She used to be the apple of her parents’ eyes, not just because she is the last born, but her diligence and dedication to both her studies and chores assigned to her. Whenever she was given a task to do, for instance, unlike her other siblings, she never procrastinated but got it done promptly. Even after she got admitted into the university, she continued with these great habits. Sadly , all that changed during her transition from 300 level to her final year!
To this end, some of her friends, especially her best friend, Jenny, noticed the gradual decline of her good habits and said: “Ella [as she is fondly called], you’re no longer the serious-minded Ella I know. You now procrastinate on school work. What’s happening?” But she just shrugged, and said, “Don’t worry, Jenny! I’m still that your girl.” Even some of her lecturers were disappointed at her changed attitude, and berated her for being nonchalant about her studies, and her low grades in their courses. Also, her parents complained about the ‘abnormality’ they noticed –unserious attitude towards her studies and personal life. Consequently, during the first semester holiday, they grounded her: they seized her cell phone so she could focus on her studies, and not chatting on social media
Meanwhile, Ella was undone with three major courses –a Term Paper, her Project, and Final paper revision. During one of their classes, a Term Paper was assigned to her, a month before the due date for submission. She swiftly stored the submission date on her phone’s notepad. “There’s plenty of time for the assignment. I don’t have to worry about it,” she said to her friends. But her best friend, Jenny shook her head (in disappointment) and said, “remember , Ella, we have class tests to prepare for Professor Wami’s 5-unit course assignment.” But Ella sighed and said, “Don’t worry! We have plenty of time to do our group assignment. Besides, this ‘5-unit course assignment’ is due in two weeks! That’s plenty of time!” “Don’t underestimate the time limit, Ella. It waits for no man,” Jenny cautioned.
A week before the Term Paper was due, the two friends met in class. Ella looked over at one of her friend’s test scripts to see an ‘A’, and asked in amazement, “Jenny, how come your grades are always high?” “Because I never procrastinate. I invest my time wisely, unlike you…” Jenny replied swiftly. Meanwhile, Ella also had two carry-over courses to contend with.
Fast forward, “Babe, you’ll work with me in the library,” Ella told Jenny. In the library, Jenny gazed at Ella’s Term Paper. “You’ve not done anything. Look, Ella, you’ve got to do it urgently. Or, you may not meet up the submission date.” But Ella replied with her usual mantra implanted in her by her ‘deceptive friend’– Procrastination: “Jenny, don’t worry, I have PLENTY of TIME to do this paper.”
Two days before the due date, Jenny again asked Ella if she had finished her paper. Suddenly, reality was done on Ella! Her friend had finished her own paper a week ago. Expectedly, despite her self-imposed intense stress by keeping vigil for two nights, she COULDN’T MEET THE DEADLINE. She went on her knees (with tears), pleading with her lecturer to extend the period to submit the paper, but he refused. Because she had ALL the TIME in the world to do so. And, your guess is as good as mine…she got straight ‘F’!
Again, Ella procrastinated to revise her final paper for a month. On the eve of the paper, she promised herself, “I’ll start my revision at 1: 00 A.M.” As she lay in bed, the soothing fingers of her bedspread began to caress her skin. The pillows also began to whisper, “Ella, come lay with me.” Anyway, the alarm blared... “7:00 A.M!” She jetted out the bed to the bathroom. She arrived the exam hall late and totally disorganized! The consequence? Of course, she FAILED it! What about her Project? It was shabbily done of which they ‘dashed’ her an ‘E’!
The Day of Reckoning: When the news of their graduation date dropped on their WhatsApp Group the previous night, Ella dashed into the campus that fateful morning to check the graduation list. Guess what? Her name was conspicuously MISSING from it! Ella wept uncontrollably as she stared at the notice board. Sadly, she spent EXTRA YEAR in the university, and eventually graduated with a miserable THIRD CLASS! Yes, Ella fell into the deep pit of woes dug by her Deceptive Friend, Procrastination! He continually assured her. “Don’t worry! You have plenty of time.”
You see, ‘Old Man Procrastination’ is never anyone’s friend. For instance, if you tell yourself, “One of these days I’ll do so and so”, and you never did. Then, one of these days will turn out to be NONE of these days! In other words, you may not accomplish anything significant in life, if procrastination is your ‘friend’!‘Old Man Procrastination’ stands within the shadow of every human being, waiting his opportunity to spoil your chances of success in life…as he did to Ella!
Listen, sometimes what may be HOLDING YOU BACK in your life’s endeavours may not be your perceived ‘enemies’, but your Deceptive Friend –Procrastination! John Mason nailed it when he asserted, “Procrastination is the grave where ALL opportunities are BURIED!
By Shadrach Boussa
Shadrach Boussa is an Inspirational Writer, Speaker, Teacher (Academic), a Youth Development Advocate, and a Health Enthusiast (certified in Occupational Safety & Health (OSHA).
