Procrastination’s Folly

The 17th Century marvel, Balthasar Gracian stated in his Art of Worldly Wisdom, “The wise do at once what the fool does at last...

“Both do the same thing; the only difference lies in the time they do it: the one at the right time, the other at the wrong. Who starts out with his mind topsyturvy will so continue till the end. He catches by the foot what he ought to knock on the head, he turns right into left, and in all his acts is but a child. There is only one way to get him in the right way, and that is to force him to do what he might have done of his own accord. The wise man, on the other hand, sees at once what must be done sooner or later, so he does it willingly and gains honour.”

Recently I was required to produce a report and present its findings at a bi-annual review of performance. I did so in one category and there was a colleague who did so also, for another category within the business.

Due to busyness or other priorities (or excuses) I recall starting the planning process for the report days earlier. My colleague had started three weeks earlier. And this proved to be the difference in my opinion.

The structure and layout of the information in her report was much cleaner than mine; the findings more impactful, and conclusions cleaner. And, she had answered all criteria consistently.

She was applauded, and rightfully so, and I was commensurately embarrassed by my own effort.

There’s a certain diligence required for wisdom. It does its thing at the right time regardless of the cost. It must just start.

Procrastination is so self-defeating. Added to the weight of the task is the weight of putting it off. It seems to free us, but we are not free; we only condemn ourselves with each minute we delay.

The message is simple: get started and keep going. Do this to experience the exhilaration and spoils of victory.

Copyright © 2008, S. J. Wickham. All Rights Reserved Worldwide.