*IS PROCRASTINATION A PROBLEM?* Procrastination is a deliberate choice to delay actions that we know we could undertake immediately, but we feel reluctant; this act can undermine our goal achievements and become our daily habit. So, do you think procrastination is a problem? Do you think it is a better habit you should cultivate? Aside from other consequences that come from neglecting immediate tasks, we know the kind of regrets we face when we are supposed to do something sometimes and we shift or postpone it. The regrets we feel are enough to spoil our day, and yet we procrastinate the next time. Everyone procrastinates to some extent; everyone does that to some degree, and if you are denying, then maybe you are not aware of your shortcomings. Procrastination is a human problem, and those who think they have overcome it still in some way struggle to deal with it. Do you know that procrastination can result in low achievement? Just imagine a student whose sole aim is to study and graduate with distinction, the individual wishes to, but instead of studying every time, the person chooses to procrastinate till a week before the exam. Yes, he will study, at least a week is enough to read for the semester, but imagine if he makes it habitual and studies every day, imagine how easy it will be for him. When the result was out, as predicted, his performance was poor. And this is what procrastination can do, not just academics. When you are supposed to do a task, and it has a deadline, and in some way you feel like you have enough time, better start now, because waiting will result in low achievement or NO achievement. Procrastination can lead to stress with some health consequences? When you procrastinate, how do you feel afterwards? Tried? You berate yourself? All this most of the time leads to stress. When you now shift all your tasks to a deadline, and you are now trying to meet it, you quickly burn out. You overwork yourself. No wonder some students faint during exams. No wonder most people have headaches at work. They are trying to catch up on work that they should have started a while ago. I mentioned the health implications of procrastination, chronic procrastinators also tend to neglect essential health behaviours, which can result in serious long-term health issues. This delay in undertaking small but significant health tasks can accumulate, leading to detrimental outcomes. You are feeling sick, so why don’t you go for a check-up? Their response is, I will go tomorrow, and tomorrow comes tomorrow till they break down completely. Some will stay busy and keep procrastinating to cook and eat. You should cook now, but the TikTok video seems so interesting, I will cook later until you start treating the ulcer. Some people can even use staying busy to procrastinate. Just imagine when you finally become a successful chronic procrastinator, imagine what your health would look like, what your relationship would be, you neglect healthy conversation, till the relationship is over, just because you feel tomorrow is the best time. I'm sure you have heard stories of people who procrastinate their reconciliation time, till it’s too late. Imagine how all this procrastination will bring low achievement or no achievement. Maybe no student is dull, maybe every student is brilliant, maybe procrastination is the real problem. Maybe we should all focus on helping people to overcome procrastination, then see how brilliant and creative each individual is.
