What causes us to intentionally delay completing certain tasks, even when we know doing so may result in negative consequences? Aside from a lack of motivation, I believe many of us procrastinate because we struggle to properly gauge the value of time. Time disappears quickly, and none of us have as much of it at our disposal as we often assume. As Charles Dickens once observed, “Procrastination is the thief of time.”
Fundamentally, procrastination carries a negative connotation in our culture. While none of us desires to be labeled a procrastinator, a significant portion of the population falls into that category. In fact, according to Dr. Joseph Ferrari of DePaul University, as many as twenty percent of adults identify as chronic procrastinators.1 The percentage among adolescents and young adults who regularly delay school assignments, chores, and responsibilities is even higher.
So how do we reverse this trend? We must first recognize that time is one of life’s most valuable resources. Whether you fully agree with that statement or not, there should be little debate that time possesses tremendous value. The real question is how we maximize that value. Do we rigorously manage every minute of every day and eliminate all spontaneity? Certainly not. Flexibility and unexpected experiences are part of what makes life enjoyable. A better starting point is acknowledging that time management is ultimately our responsibility. We can use our time productively to create, build, and serve others, or we can squander it on pursuits that add little value. Worse still, we can devote it to destructive endeavors.
Scripture reminds us in John 9:4 that we must work while it is day, because night is coming when no one can work. The message is clear: maximize the opportunities before you while time remains available. So what practical habits can help us steward our time more wisely?
- Focus on Consistency
Working on a task every day may seem monotonous, but consistency ensures progress is being made. As Benjamin Disraeli once stated, “Through perseverance many people win success out of what seemed destined to be certain failure.” While a task may feel tedious or uninspiring, persistence often provides the greatest opportunity for success. There is nothing glamorous, magical, or mysterious about consistency. It is simply the discipline of continuing the work. Keep placing one foot in front of the other until the project is complete.
- Prioritize Tasks
Organize your schedule so that critical and time-sensitive responsibilities receive attention first. This may require some enjoyable activities to receive less attention, but remember that not all tasks carry equal importance. Be intentional about allocating your time in ways that maximize its impact.
- Reassess Progress Periodically
Since effective time management can be challenging for all of us, it is important to periodically evaluate our progress. If schedules begin to slip or priorities change, do not be afraid to reassess. Course correction is not failure; it is often the wisest response when circumstances change.While these habits may not instantly transform you into an efficiency expert, they can help you become a better steward of your time.
If you are still unconvinced about the importance of time management, consider this. At the end of each year, people around the world participate in New Year’s traditions. We watch as the final seconds of one year tick away and a new year begins. We celebrate the promise of fresh opportunities and new beginnings. Yet beneath the celebration lies an important reality.
While clocks allow us to measure time, none of us can control it. Much like grains of sand slipping through a clenched fist, time continues moving forward regardless of our wishes. No amount of wealth, technology, medical advancement, or personal determination can reverse its progression. We may set our clocks forward or backward, but time itself remains unchanged. We are either aligned with it or we are not.
I once heard an analogy comparing the remaining years of our lives to the stages of a day. Some people are in the early morning with much of life still ahead. Others find themselves in mid-morning, midday, afternoon, twilight, evening, or perhaps even approaching midnight. The challenge is that none of us truly knows which stage applies to us. We often convince ourselves there will always be more time to improve, course-correct, and pursue what matters most—until one day there is no longer enough time to do so.
Perhaps this reflection sounds overly dramatic. Perhaps we will indeed have ample opportunity to make amends for wasted pursuits and redirect our lives toward more meaningful endeavors. Thankfully, none of us knows the exact length of our days. There may indeed be time remaining to enjoy new experiences, strengthen relationships, and create meaningful memories. The question is whether we will use that time wisely. None of us knows how much time remains, but all of us can choose how we invest the time we have today.
R. Brockman Pierce Author, The Joy of Significance
Encouraging lives rooted in faith, family, fellowship, and lasting significance
1 American Psychological Association. The Psychology of Procrastination: Why People Put Off Important Tasks Until The Last Minute. 2010.