"Procrastination is one of the most common and deadliest of diseases and its toll on success and happiness is heavy"

Procrastination can be a real killer when it comes to getting things done. It's that sneaky habit of putting off tasks until the last minute—or not doing them at all. We’ve all been there, right? You know there's something important you need to tackle, but somehow, you find yourself cleaning the kitchen, scrolling through social media, or doing anything else but that task. It’s like a thief in the night, stealing not just our time but also our potential for success and happiness.

Historically, procrastination has been a problem for ages. Think about the ancient Greeks—they had a word for it: akrasia, which means the lack of self-control or acting against one's better judgment. Even back then, people struggled with it. And today, with all the distractions around us, it's even more prevalent.

Take the example of a student, let’s call her Sarah. Sarah has a big history exam coming up in two weeks. She knows she should start studying early, but every day she tells herself she'll do it tomorrow. When tomorrow comes, there's always another excuse. Finally, the night before the exam, she’s in a panic, cramming information, stressed out of her mind. Sarah ends up barely passing the test. If she had only started studying earlier, she could have aced it and felt way more confident and less stressed.

So, how can you beat procrastination? First, break tasks into smaller, manageable pieces. That massive project won’t seem so overwhelming if you handle it bit by bit. Second, set clear deadlines for these small tasks. It’s easier to commit to short-term goals than to one big, looming deadline. Also, get rid of distractions. If your phone is a temptation, put it in another room while you work. Lastly, reward yourself. Finished that chapter you needed to read? Treat yourself to a snack or a short break.

Imagine this: You’re at a coffee shop with a friend, catching up. Your friend mentions they’ve been putting off writing a report for work. You tell them about Sarah and how she struggled with her history exam because she kept procrastinating. You share your tips on breaking tasks into smaller pieces and setting mini-deadlines. Your friend nods, looking thoughtful. “I think I’ll try that,” they say. “Starting tonight.”

A week later, you get a text from that friend. “Hey, those tips really worked! I finished my report early and it wasn’t nearly as stressful as I thought it would be.” You smile, knowing you helped someone conquer the plague of procrastination.

Procrastination doesn’t have to rule your life. By taking small steps to manage your time and tasks, you can dodge its heavy toll on your success and happiness. So next time you’re tempted to put something off, remember Sarah and take action—your future self will thank you.