Category: Success Unplugged

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The Thief of Time

Dangers of Procrastination

In the words of Charles Dickens, “My advice is to never do tomorrow what you can do today. Procrastination is the thief of time”. The habit of deferring responsibilities is called procrastination, and it is the thief of time. It is a bane of good time management habits. Procrastination poses a very big threat to success. Many potentially great people have been imperiled, and have missed the opportunity of becoming successful because of this chronic, dangerous, and harmful habit.

What is procrastination?

The word procrastination originates from the Latin word ‘procrastinaire’ which translates ‘to forward till the next day. The prefix ‘pro’ means ‘forward’ and the suffix ‘cratinus’ means ‘till next day’, which came from the Latin word ‘cras’ which means tomorrow. So from all indications, it is the avoidance of doing a task that needs to be accomplished. In other words, procrastination is the deferment of responsibilities for no tangible reason. One universal attribute of procrastination is that it can take place in any area of an individual’s life. The truth is that at a particular moment in life we have fallen victim to this chronic habit. We have at one time or the other procrastinated about keeping appointments, making decisions, taking action, doing house chores, attending lectures, getting up from bed very early in the morning, going on visitation on a rainy day, or quitting a harmful habit like smoking or alcohol, etc.

My experience with procrastination

Procrastination in relation to success is the deferment or postponing of some important tasks that seem difficult at the expense of your success. For instance, I have three tasks that seriously demand my attention. I have official tasks at the office to carry out. I am also a content writer and I must update my blog regularly. Finally, I am into web development, and thanks to Google. So I must dedicate enough time to programming, writing, and debugging codes.

Just lately, I found out that I have been procrastinating when it comes to content writing and updating my blog. In as much as I tried to meet up with my job responsibilities and my course content, I was deferring the responsibility of updating my blog. I started procrastinating thinking I have enough time to write and update my blog. Then before I know it two, or three weeks have gone by without any writing or updating.

This single act of procrastination had a very serious negative impact on my blog. Consequently, the bounce rate of the website increased, the Google ranking dropped, and the web traffic reduced tremendously. And finally, when I managed to write content it would be haphazard and lacked the in-depth analysis that my blog is known for. So when it comes to procrastination, no matter the perspective you are viewing it, it does more harm than good. It is the thief of time. Now let us examine the causes of procrastination.

Indecision



It is common to hear people say ‘let me think over it or let me sleep over it, even in matters that require immediate and urgent action. This is a clear case of indecision. Indecision is a hotbed for procrastination. It makes you defer or postpone actions. Quick decision making to a large extent determines how fast you will take action.

When an individual is undecided about an issue he or she will be unable to take action. Hence quick decision elicits prompt action, whereas the inability to make decisions leads to procrastination.

Fear of failure

Refer to my post on the infidelity of fear. Procrastination is one of the consequences of fear of failure. Let’s say your mind is a treasure box, and inside it is great potential, (treasures) that you must freely express or trade with for you to be successful in life. Now what fear does is that it closes this treasure box and buries these wonderful potentials and makes sure you don’t express them. This is one major reason why many are unsuccessful today. Not that they don’t have what it takes but because they delay or postpone taking action for fear of failure.

Chronic habit

Procrastination is more habitual than seldom. One of the causes of procrastination is the strong inclination toward a chronic habit like an addiction. The struggle to break away from the indulgence of such a habit is always fraught with procrastination when the urge becomes unbearable. For instance, an alcoholic or tobacco addict will always procrastinate about stopping the indulgence even when such a person knows the danger of such a practice. Then it has become a chronic habit that is very difficult to do away with. It is indeed a thief of time.

Overconfidence

Let me just chip this in here, overconfidence or obsession with excellence can cause procrastination. In a situation where you see yourself as being capable of accomplishing a task, you might keep on postponing such task until you perform the task to your own satisfaction.

This obsession with excellence or overconfidence makes you procrastinate or defer a task till the time you feel you can accomplish it perfectly. It makes you want to buy time until the time you feel you are capable. Procrastination is the thief of time. This stems from the fact that you cannot meet your own standard because of your obsession with excellence.

Distraction

Refer to my post on distraction. Distraction is also a major cause of procrastination. Distraction is anything that is not your intention. Whatever is not part of your vision is a distraction. I did say also that anything that does not contribute to your success in life is a distraction. It is also a distraction to do everything or to be everywhere at the same time. Therefore, it becomes procrastination when you are so much engrossed with trivialities or unimportant tasks as to postpone the difficult albeit important ones and allow the opportunity for success to slip out of your hands.

Complacency

Complacency is yet another cause of procrastination. Refer to my post on complacency. I did say that it is the feeling of smugness or calm satisfaction with your own abilities, achievement, or situation that prevents you from taking action. Complacency comes with the ‘I have arrived feeling’ a situation where one feels lackadaisical about improving his or her situation. It entails retreating to the comfort zone because one feels a sense of security. Procrastination is a thief of time as it can lead to putting off or postponing tasks that can improve one’s situation to a later date.

Stay tuned as we bring you the concluding part of the dangers of Procrastination. Till then;

Imagine it, believe it, and dare to succeed.

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World of Endless Possibilities.

world of endless possibilities

The realm of success is a world of endless possibilities. I remembered vividly in August 2000, when the then president of the United States of America Bill Clinton visited Nigeria. And in his speech he said that the country is a ‘land of possibilities’. That statement generated a lot of controversies, people misinterpreted it especially the press. The statement was critically examined and analyzed, and critiques were of the opinion that the statement meant that it is a land where anything goes.

Critically, analyzing the statement to the best of my knowledge confirms that it is a land of great potentials for greatness. It is a world of endless possibilities. No matter the adverse socio-political and economic situation of the country, there is still potential for success and greatness. Everywhere in Nigeria there are possibilities for greatness despite the adverse economic situations and financial hardship.

One thing we should know for sure is that there is always a ray of light at the end of the tunnel. And that no matter the hopelessness of our situations there is always a glimpse of hope. Hence, each time we face challenges of adversity there is always the possibility we will overcome and succeed, if we persevere. However, we must understand that we ably enamored to handle challenges. And there is also a way out of every adversity if we can cultivate the right attitude. The sooner we understand this rudiment of life the better.

When one door closes another opens, but often we look so long regretfully, upon the closed door that we fail to see the one that has opened for us – Helen Keller

In adversity doors are closed but the earlier we understand, that when one door closes another one opens, the better for us. This makes our conquest over challenges of adversity very easy. The human nature is such that the momentary response to problems is that of hopelessness, frustration, and despair. We brood too long over the calamities and misfortunes of adversity to the extent that we see nothing good in adversity. We tend to forget that we are not meant for problems rather problems are meant for our promotion in life. And each time we solve problems new doors to world of endless possibilities are opened up.

In times of adversity challenges abound, and these challenges are the realities of adversity which we must encounter. These challenges are not only temporary, we can also overcome them. Even though they seem like stumbling blocks they are indeed stepping stones to our promotion in life. Moreover, every challenge you overcome in life is an opportunity for greatness in life. Therefore, the reward of overcoming challenges is greatness.

For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us, (Romans 8: 18).  


Like I said earlier there is seemingly nothing good about adversity, but when you overcome the challenges of adversity then you will know that is not bad in its entirety. Adversity works to bring out the best in us. Nevertheless, the best of us will not emerge until we pass through the hot fiery furnace of adversity. The furnace of adversity refines us like gold, taking care of every impurity of fear and weakness.

… that which does not kill you makes you stronger. Nietzsche.

According to Nietzsche, “that which does not kill you makes you stronger’. Challenges can only make you stronger by taking care of your fears and weakness. I remembered during the economic meltdown, many companies had to downsize their workforce as a response to the challenges of the syndrome. Many of people were affected by the retrenchment exercise. One of them, a woman was so upset about the whole exercise.

According to her she is not yet prepared for such challenge. She failed to see possibilities in her adversity. She fails to realize that when one door closes another one opens. When she eventually gathered herself together she was able to see the possibilities in her adversity. She is now a dealer in fabric material, firm and established. Not until she took her eyes off the closed door of her job, she could not see the possibilities of a looming international business.

Have you lost your job? Are you highly indebted? Have you closed shop as a result of bankruptcy?  I encourage you to be strong. Understand that no matter the hopelessness of your adversity there are still possibilities of success. That is the incentive you need in the quest for success. However, you must understand that it is your knowledge of possibilities in adversity that gives impetus to your quest for success in life. One major lifeline of success is for you to see possibilities. No matter the magnitude or toughness of your adversity you must see possibilities. Finally, what guarantees your success in life is your ability to see a world of endless possibilities even in the middle of your adversity.

Imagine, believe, and dare to succeed

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Call to Action

mystery of tomorrow

The quest to succeed in life is a call for action. Success is a game of actions. So you must be responsible for every action you take in life. Interestingly, the sum total of all these actions determines whether you will have conquest, and succeed in life or not. In fact, you must understand that until you take action towards your challenges no one will take it for you. No one but you will be responsible for your failure or conquest in life. You must also understand that you cannot climb the ladder of success with your hands in your pocket if you don’t want to crash land.

It is only action, not inaction that can guarantee your success and fulfillment in life. This call to action is to urge you to take action. As one of the requirements of success is to be proactive. Do something about your situation.

Action

Action, according to Dictionary.com is an act that one consciously wills and that may be characterized by physical or mental activity. Thus, action includes all the conscientious efforts you make to salvage your situation in times of adversity, whether spiritual, physical, or mental effort. However, for your efforts to have any effect on your challenging situations they must be driven by determination.

It might interest you to know that the average human being in the face of challenges does not like to take responsibility. The truth of the matter is that such an individual does not want anyone to hold them responsible for failure in life. Either he feels the time is not ripe for such action, or he is afraid of the unknown. He is afraid of what lies ahead of him, the consequences of his actions.

Action Without Sentiment

It is important to note that in taking action you don’t allow sentiments, emotions, or feelings to becloud your sense of judgment. You must rise above your sentiments to take bold and decisive actions. We must understand that where we are today is a function of the responsibilities and actions we have taken in time past. And that where we will be in the future is a function of the responsibilities or actions we will take now.

Life itself is a function of the sum total of all the responsibilities and actions we have taken, even those yet to be taken. These actions determine whether we break through or breakdown in life. And until we understand that the best time to take that life-transforming actions is now we cannot make any headway in life. There is no better time to heed this call to action and take that right decision than now. Stop that procrastination right away.

In the words of Arnold Glasgow, ‘find an aim in life before you run out of ammunition. You must learn to take responsibility in time when you still have the necessary wherewithal intact. At the time when you still have the ammunition of life, you must find an aim and take action towards success. Taking action entails rising above self-pity. You cannot add any value to your life by indulging in self-pity.

Don’t feel sorry for yourself. Nothing good can come out of feeling sorry for yourself.
Henry Bane.

I do not know the realities of your challenges; neither do I know what you are passing through in life. Maybe you have lost a job, or you are having a career crisis. Maybe your business is winding up, or your marriage is heading for the rocks. It could be you are under the scourge of a terminal illness. Whatever might be the circumstance surrounding your life, understand that an attitude of self-pity cannot bring any good to your situation. It is your self-confidence to take constructive action that matters and that is what can guarantee your conquest in life. It is high time you stopped that self-pity. Stop feeling sorry for yourself in your adversity. You must pick up your gauntlets and take the action that will enforce your success. Taking action also implies you are strong.

Call to Action requires Strength

Be strong therefore and let not your hands be weak: for your works shall be rewarded, (2 Chronicles 15:7).   

Indeed taking action is not for the weak it is for the strong. You must be very strong to take action. And the actions you take are your work towards success in life which shall receive great reward of success. So, you must be strong, you must work hard. You must take that responsibility to ascertain your conquest in adversity. Remember, adversity is not for the weak it is for the strong. And that whenever you pull through adversity you become stronger.

Finally, if you take action today you have taken a step towards your conquest in life. But if you hesitate to take any action today, you have ended up prolonging your times of adversity. And hence delayed your success in life.

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Risk Taking: Dynamics of Success.

risk taking

Risk taking is one of the dynamics of Success. Life becomes so boring, and meaningless without risk taking. Risk taking is a recipe of life every one that desire to have a successful living must subscribe to. You must take risks if you are willing to have conquest over your challenges and succeed in life. Although nobody plans to fail in life, we are confirmed failures when we fail to take necessary risks in life. Knowing well that it is our ability to take these risks and succeed that adds value and meaning to our lives. It also confers on us the status of  greatness.

Risk taking is a Choice

A meaningful life is all about taking constructive risks whether you succeed or not.
Brian Souza.

However, risk taking is a choice we make in life. It is either you make this choice, rise above your challenges, and succeed or your life will be stalemated. On the other hand, when you don’t take necessary risks you will dangerously enmesh yourself in the complex web of mediocrity.

Understand that life is full of risks. Anything that poses as a threat to life, property, asset and investment is a risk. Risks assume a dangerous coloration. Risks can make or mar your success in life depending on how you handle them. Life comprises of both positive and negative risks. Positive risks are those risks which when taken will add value to your life. Hence, they are the value-adding risks – V.A.R. These are necessary risks. They are risks worth taking.

On the other hand, negative risks are risks that will destroy you. They are unhealthy risks as far as success is concern. Positive risk when taken affords you an opportunity to join great men at the top. It is your leverage to conquest over challenges of adversity. Positive risk is the giant stride; that quantum leap that will launch you to the realm of greatness. Taking this kind of risks without fear is what separate great men from mediocre, and men at the top from men at the bottom. Moreover, taking positive risks without fear will land you on cloud nine of greatness.

Daring Risks

Furthermore, taking positive risks means confronting your fears headlong in order to enhance your life and that of those around you. Let us consider this scenario. It is positive risk taking in its purest form. Four leprous men took a daring risk that will save their nation and turn them to heroes overnight.

… and there were four leprous men at the entering in of the gate: and they said one to another, why sit we here until we die?… now therefore come, and let us fall unto the host of the Syrians: if they save us alive , we shall live; and if they kill us, we shall but die, (2 kings 7: 3,4).

These men threw caution to the wind and advanced towards the enemies’ camp not minding the consequences. They damned the consequence and took the daring risk. The moment of truth came for them to make that decision whether to salvage their situation or to die in their adversity. And they made the wise choice to end their misery that day. They were undaunted in their resolve to embark on that dangerous mission. That is risk taking, and it entails making decisions and taking actions towards those decisions no matter the outcome whether good or bad.

Success Nugget

He who is not courageous enough to take risks will accomplish nothing in life – Mohammed Ali.

From the foregoing we can clearly understand that risk taking is for the fearless, it is not a venture for the fearful. Hence, your attitude of fearlessness is a major determinant of your capacity for risk taking. Just as T. S. Elliot opined, ‘only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go’.

It is now crystal clear that your capacity for conquest, and by extension success is inextricably tied to your ability to take risk. I want you to understand this because it is a very important nugget of success. The more risks you take, and overcome your challenges, the more successful you will become in life. Therefore, to succeed in life you must put away fear and confront the realities of adversity, taking necessary risks.

So what is that thing that portends danger or poses as a threat to your success or progress in life? You must damn the consequences take the necessary risks and move on with life. Take the bull by the horns. Risk taking is the only way for capacity building. It is one of the dynamics of success.

Imagine, Believe, Dare to Succeed.