Don't Procrastinate. Do It Now!

[ZARA81]

Don't Procrastinate. Do It Now!

"If you wait until the wind and the weather are just right, you will never plant anything and never harvest anything" (Ecclesiastes 11:4 TEV).

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By     :

Rick Warren

From:

PurposeDriven.com

Wednesday, May 20, 2009 3:57 PM EDT

"If you wait until the wind and the weather are just right, you will never plant anything and never harvest anything" (Ecclesiastes 11:4 TEV).

Most of us have experienced the eight phases of procrastination:

Phase 1: "I'll start early this time." (Hopeful)
Phase 2: "I've got to start soon." (A little tension)
Phase 3: "I should have started sooner." (Creeping guilt)
Phase 4: "There is still time to do it." (False reassurance)
Phase 5: "What's wrong with me?" (Getting desperate)
Phase 6: "I can't wait any longer!" (Intense pain)
Phase 7: "Just get it done!" (Get it over with!)
Phase 8: "Next time, I'll start earlier." (The cycle repeats)

Procrastination does tremendous damage to us and others. It causes unnecessary pressure and problems, and it wastes opportunities, time, and money.

The problem is: procrastination is addicting! The more you succumb to it, the harder it is to change. It becomes a way of life, causing you a lot of misery.

The Bible says, "If you wait until the wind and the weather are just right, you will never plant anything and never harvest anything" (Ecclesiastes 11:4 TEV). Therefore...

· Stop making excuses!

· Realize perfectionism paralyzes performance!

· Face your fears!

· Focus on the gain, not the pain!

· Do it now!

What have you been putting off that you know you need to do? Something at work? At home? At church? Do it now!

Pray this prayer: "God, help me to do what I already know I need to do. Help me to do it now!"

You can learn more about beating procrastination by reading The Purpose Driven Life.