Do you put off until tomorrow what you can do today?
By Pose123
@Pose123 (21635)
Canada
August 30, 2011 9:56pm CST
I went to school in the 1940's and 1950's and I still remember first hearing that old saying, 'procrastination is the thief of time'. It is only in recent years that the truth of that statement has really hit me. I've been a procrastinator all my life but I've finally decided I'm going to stop, after all I'm almost 72, and if I want to do something I'd better start soon. I know now that there is no reason for any of us be always putting things off. There is nothing that you really want to do that you cannot begin today. Unless you begin now the days will turn into weeks, the weeks into months and the months into years, and it will happen so fast that you won't know what happened. There is no reason to wait except the reasons you give yourself. Think about it.
2 people like this
20 responses
@salonga (27775)
• Philippines
1 Sep 11
Yes, you are right. There is no reason to wait except the reasons you give yourself. And later in our life we will end up regretting. Why did we not take advantage of the opportunity of the time? It's sad when you grow old realizing you accomplished nothing at all. Time is gold. Once it has passed it will never come back again. So what we can do for today, do. There is no need to put off for tomorrow because we don't hold tomorrow. It might now come at all. Today is always the day to do something that needs our attention. Procrastination is a brother of slothfulness. If we keep practicing procrastination we will accomplish nothing in this life.
1 person likes this
@salonga (27775)
• Philippines
1 Sep 11
Do what you can do for today because tomorrow might be too late or worse it might not even come to your life at all. I've never seen a procrastinator who met success in his life. No...they can never succeed at all because they never reaches their goal. They kept stopping and resting along the way and they do that all their days until they see and realize one day that their time is already over.
@tishafayel (49)
• Philippines
31 Aug 11
Sometimes I am a procrastinator but one experience really change me. When my friend always tells me that 'there is still tomorrow, we can do it tomorrow', so I believe in her but when my exam comes I had really a difficult time in reviewing my lessons. Fortunately I passes the Exam not like my friend, she fail because of her attitude.
From then on, I always do the things that can be done today.
1 person likes this
@marguicha (222975)
• Chile
31 Aug 11
I have done that many times. I still do, even though I should know better at my age. I start doing something, but then something else happens and I leave it half done. I should end the jobs I undertake. Like you, I guess it´s time to do it.
@marguicha (222975)
• Chile
1 Sep 11
The worse for me is to put some order in my papers. I think that is beyond my power I have also wanted to scan old photos and place them on a nice, clean, small CD.
I have also wanted to scan old photos and place them on a nice, clean, small CD.
@melinda58 (4)
• United States
6 Sep 11
Time itself is the thief of time...not procrastination. I still procrastinate. I don't like it but it is such a habit. I don't worry about it anymore because I realize that whatever I don't do or I do, I have to suffer the consequences of or will reap the benefits of. Life happens while we're making plans. I do the best I can and keep it moving.
1 person likes this
@Chevee (5905)
• United States
1 Sep 11
That is a good statement. I have learned this too. I and I am doing better with it. When it comes to mind I try to do it right then or within the following moments. For tomorrow never comes. Today is here use it. Thanks for the discussion and the reminder.
1 person likes this
@starsailover (7829)
• Mexico
4 Sep 11
Hi Pose: I completely agree with you. Actions have the power to make things real. If we are just a "what if..." person we won't get what we want. I try to define my destiny, making plans but of course doing the right things to make it real and work really hard for what I want.
ALVARO
1 person likes this
@stellar126 (278)
• Philippines
1 Sep 11
I'm guilty of this. I've been doing this since I started studying and continue to do it from time to time. It's hard to stop to be honest. And every time I find myself in a bind because I put off doing something, I tell myself the same thing over and over, that I won't do it again. But I still do.
The only thing that's been working for me so far is to keep on writing a To Do List every day. Checking off the things that I accomplish motivates me to finish the tasks I set myself to finish. And it also keeps me on track.
1 person likes this
@acrossnation (773)
• Malaysia
2 Sep 11
Thanks for the very wiise advise. I try not to procastinate as i hate that the thoughts will stay at the back of my mind.
@jricky1 (6800)
• China
1 Sep 11
I'm such a lazy girl,sometimes i put off things until the next day cause i'm lazy to do so.But when i wake up next morning,i feel so upset that everything needs to put off from the schedule.So i always decide that i should do things before the schedule or it could such delay my plan.LOL Have a nice day.
1 person likes this
@imkong (30)
• India
1 Sep 11
The best time to plant a tree was 20 years back, the second best time is now. So what is gone is gone. But we have today, now - the gift of life of being alive and well. Therefore lets make use of the present moment to our best and let what is gone be gone.
1 person likes this
@kccrystalsachi (117)
• Philippines
1 Sep 11
There will always be times when we feel being "lazy" but being lazy for a couple of days doesn't help you grow and become successful, no matter how simple your goals and dreams are.
As human as we are, we tend to choose the comfortable way or being just relaxed instead of doing what should be done, right away.
I prefer to not wait for tomorrow with what I can do today because in the end, it will be me who would also suffer the consequences or could be would regret for not doing what is supposed to be done during that particular day or time.
Also, I've learned from this aspect to at least, do what's needed to be done because it makes your day worth it because you are able to accomplish what's needed instead of having to wait for tomorrow.
@savypat (20216)
• United States
31 Aug 11
Maybe the secret is that most things that seem important are not. It seems to me that if you can put it off over and over again it just isn't something you need or want in your life. Even if it's things you think will hurt you if you don't do it, if you are honest with yourself you really don't believe that they will hurt you or you would do it. So,maybe you are just getting rid of clutter not procrastinating. Love that word
1 person likes this
@airasheila (5454)
• Philippines
31 Aug 11
Good day Pose123,
With reference to your main topic discussion, I am not used to delay the things which I need to be done today. As I believe in this saying "I shall pass through this world but once. Therefore, any good thing, that I can do or kindness I can show let me do it now. For I shall not pass this way again."
Due to reason I stated above, I am doing the best of everything everyday as I do not know what will happen to me the next day. Aside from that, I am doing the best that I can as if the Lord Our God is the one I am serving.
Have a nice day.
@snowhybiscuis (1882)
• Philippines
31 Aug 11
Thank you for this post Pose123. It serves as a reminder to young people that time is important. When we are young and have all the capabilities to get what we want, we tend to set it aside and think that it can be done tomorrow. I am actually guilty of that. I was always get sidetracked by other activities and lure of the non-essentials.
However, somewhere in the very recess of my mind, I get that nagging feeling that I have to finish this or that. I now have these values to help me... commitment, focus and sense of urgency. I admit that I haven't fully developed it yet. But I hope I'll get it in my system the soonest possible time.
Best regards to you.
1 person likes this
@thatgirl13 (7294)
• South Korea
31 Aug 11
I procrastinate a lot and am not even slightly proud of it. This habit of mine, putting things off for the other day, has made me so lazy it's beyond explanation! And it has also made me develop a habit of making excuses. I seriously have to stop it now or it's never. I don't wanna be this way. This past few months have been the laziest months I've ever had. Time to wake up and brush things up. And I hope you do good with your things too. Good luck to the both of us
1 person likes this
@Bashful87 (123)
•
31 Aug 11
Absolutely right! Don't do things tomorrow if you can do it today. I eventually realizes those things lately and now I'm starting buying a lot for my self so that after a year or so, I can have my own house and lot.
1 person likes this
