“A stitch in time saves nine”—I never truly understood the meaning of this proverb until a particular experience in school during an exam . One of my courses,BCH 323(Biochemistry of nuclei acid), was taught by six lectures, each providing their own notes, PDFs and some other printed material. You could imagine how bulky it is. I had the time to prepare, way before the exam was to begin, yet I kept telling myself “ there’s still time”. I wound pick up my note to read and after reading two-three pages, I would convince myself that I had done enough for the day “besides exam isn’t coming anytime soon “ I would reassure myself. It kept on going like that till exam timetable came— lo and behold, I was having BCH323 and some other challenging course same day, 8:00am and 2:00pm respectively.
Immediately I saw the timetable, my heart rhythm skipped — I had not cover up to 10% of either of the courses. My mind, conscience and every being of me started beating me up, there comes the regret. I was so frustrated, scared and discombobulated. When the result of the exams came out, I barely passed. I cried and bit myself so hard because I knew it was all my fault.
This experience taught me a hard truth—Procrastination is one of the greatest enemies of success. It often starts small: “ oh! I will check the mail later”, “I will tidy up my space later”, “i will fix the wardrobe later”. These little delays can accumulate into missed opportunities and regrets. It takes a great level of discipline and intentionality to be able to overcome procrastination. And over the years I’ve come to build a strong resilience to it. And one simple shift in my mindset has helped me greatly “ why do it later when I can do it now?”.
Why submit that resume later when you can do it now ? Why tidy up that space when you can do it now ? Why apply for that job later when you can do it now ? Why sign up that gym membership later when you can do it now? Why read that book later when you can read it now? Why do that thing later when you can do it now ? . I always say do that task as it comes. The key to productivity and success is taking action as soon as possible. It is better you do that thing now than live in regret later.
Thank you for reading.
