To be proactive is to prepare for or intervene in an expected occurrence or situation, especially a negative or difficult one.
To procrastinate is to defer or delay action leading to a lost opportunity.
One leads to a life of fulfillment and accomplishing work in a sufficient time frame. The other, procrastination leads to stress and being overwhelmed.
When you procrastinate, you put off doing the things that you know need to be done. Then come along new priorities and you are now stressed because you procrastinated and put off the things that needed to be done yesterday until today. The only problem is today never came for yesterday’s task and yesterday’s task is now pushed back a few more days. This kind of life of procrastination can only leave one feeling stressed out, burned out, discouraged and overwhelmed.
I used to procrastinate quite regularly until I got tired of being tired, full of stress and overwhelmed. I now plan out my day’s activities and leave the day in the hands of God. I do what I commit to and when I recognize I can’t, I do my best not to commit at all. I have not arrived but I’m constantly working towards that life of disciplined and consistent proactivity where I no longer put off the things I know to do.
Even a 20% swing towards being proactive will make a significant change in your life and you’ll be well on your way to avoiding unnecessary stress….proactively.
