Breaking the Bad
Battling Procrastination
Assalamu Alaykum was Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu.
“Procrastination is a thief of time”
This is a quote I grew up hearing but always struggled to abide by.
Like every other procrastinator out there — and there is a hell lot of y’all — a constant mantra was “I will not procrastinate next time”, but then ‘next time’ becomes the next, and then it becomes never.
I used to convince myself that the reason why I procrastinate was that I had this ‘supernatural’ burst of energy whenever the deadline was looming over me and I am most productive under pressure. It may not be a lie, but I eventually learned that it was mostly an excuse.
I am yet to watch a video more relatable than Tim Urban’s Ted Talk titled inside the mind of a master procrastinator where he describes procrastinator tendencies and all sorts of excuses we love to give ourselves. Frankly, all that was left for that video to actually be about me was for him to say my name. It felt great to know that I was not alone, but it was also an eye-opener of some sort.
Now, 3 years after discovering that video, it feels liberating to know that I don’t relate — at least not anymore; and all it took to break that habit was an impossibly stressful semester and my final project. That semester taught me, that even though I do perform greatly under pressure and tend to scrap my work completely when I revise it before submission; I was still capable of doing my work early. So there I was writing papers and submitting assignments weeks before the deadline. Also, special s/o to my non-procrastinator roommate so thank you Bilkisu.
And I must tell you, it feels amazing.
To be very honest, this was one weakness I never thought I could overcome. I would always pray to God to help me break that habit, and yet, I would find myself drowning in it again.
But NO MORE!
And trust me; if I could do it, then you can definitely do it too!
Literally, all you have to do is start that assignment the day it is given and you’ll find yourself halfway there. It may begin with one sentence a week, to one paragraph a day, and before you know it, it’s 2500 words one month to the deadline.
And this doesn’t just apply to school work but also cuts across every other part of life.
Religiously; give that Sadaqah today, begin your Hadda tonight, and learn that Sunnah right now!
Socially; call that friend today, visit that family member, and apologize to that person tonight!
Personally; cut off that toxic person now, fix that eating/sleeping schedule, and sign up for that gym membership right now!
Remember that life is short. You do not know when you will be no more, and all that will be left of you are regrets and what-ifs. It may not be easy, but it will certainly be worth it in the end.
May Allah guide us and make it easy for us all.
Bismillah
