The problem with procrastination is procrastinators who panic when people do not jump into action when the pressure of a deadline arrives.

As the saying goes,

“Your lack of preparation does not constitute an emergency on my part.”

Of course there is a worse problem, procrastinators who don’t really care if they put other people in a bind.

My life, like many other people, is a paradox. In many ways I am focused, organized, energized and I can visualize what I want to accomplish and where I want to end up. I am willing to pay whatever legal, ethical and moral price I must pay to be successful.

On the other hand, there are times when I am apathetic, scattered, disinterested and just plain lazy.

I have found that when I am passionate about something I do not procrastinate but when I am not passionate about something I might procrastinate. I have found that when I give my word that I will do something or be somewhere at a specific time I do not procrastinate but when I have not committed myself I might procrastinate. I have found that when other people are depending on me I do not procrastinate but if I am the only one affected I sometimes slip into procrastination.

“It is better not to promise anything than to promise something and not do it”

Ecclesiastes 5:5 NCV

I have never understood people who take on responsibilities and then act irresponsibly [don’t do what they said they would do in the time frame they said they would do it].

The people depending on us have a right to expect us to be responsible. Irresponsibility is the fruit of childishness. A childish person has little to no value for other people. They are so self-centered they are not aware of the problems that are generated by their unwillingness to do what they said they would do and be where they said they would be when they said they would be wherever they said they would be.

Growing up may be hard to do but it is not impossible to do.

The apostle Paul said this, “It’s like this: When I was a child, I spoke and thought and reasoned as a child does. But when I grew up, I put away childish things” [1 Corinthians 13:11 NLT]. The writer of Hebrews said of Moses, “When he grew up he forsook Egypt.”

Maturity is an option. Just because a person grows older does not mean they grow up. Paul is saying that he decided to deal with his childish [selfish] behavior and become responsible. Moses apparently decided that the ways of the world would get in the way of his fulfilling his destiny as a deliverer.

I love it [not really] when people use the excuse, “well if you knew how busy I was” line. If you were so busy then why did you commit to something else? If you are so busy then why not empower someone else to help you or replace you? Oh, and don’t go to the place of just dropping what you said you would do in the lap of the person you promised you would do it.

Do people really believe that those who were promised something would get done are not busy? Even if they have never been busy a day in their life it is still not right to promise someone something and then no do it!

It is not right to tell someone we will do something and not do it – in a timely manner!

Here are some typical excuses procrastinators use [I am not going to use the dog ate my homework excuse] ~~~~~~

• I am soooo busy
• I am a volunteer [this is really funny, especially when the volunteer is hoping to get a paying job with the person they “work” for]
• I am a night owl so I sleep late
• I did not expect the traffic to be so bad
• My kids were up all night last night

People must not realize that promotion equals more responsibility.

Jesus said this about responsibility ~

• Matthew 24:45-51 NLT – 45 “Who is a faithful, sensible servant, to whom the master can give the responsibility of managing his household and feeding his family? 46 If the master returns and finds that the servant has done a good job, there will be a reward. 47 I assure you, the master will put that servant in charge of all he owns. 48 But if the servant is evil and thinks, ‘My master won’t be back for a while,’ 49 and begins oppressing the other servants, partying, and getting drunk – 50 well, the master will return unannounced and unexpected. 51 He will tear the servant apart and banish him with the hypocrites. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
• Matthew 25:21 NLT – “The master was full of praise. ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together!'”
• Luke 16:10-12 NLT  – “10 Unless you are faithful in small matters, you won’t be faithful in large ones. If you cheat even a little, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities. 11 And if you are untrustworthy about worldly wealth, who will trust you with the true riches of heaven? 12 And if you are not faithful with other people’s money, why should you be trusted with money of your own?”

Jesus is the One who promotes and He is watching to see if we are responsible!

For HIS Glory!

Dr. Kevin M. Drury
Positioned for Purpose, Promotion & Prosperity!
And A Hisstorymaker