Don't delay, act today to avoid procrastination

  • Published
  • By Chief Master Sgt. Robbie Wellbaum
  • 9th Air Refueling Sqaudron
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  We're all familiar with the infomercials for products sold on TV. Some type of prodding tactic is used to make us get out a credit card and "dial while supplies last." These companies know that to sell their products they need to get past the natural tendency to postpone taking action. Often, they rely on catchy slogans like, "Don't delay... act today."

Most of us are not natural born procrastinators. However, we've learned there can be advantages to putting off tasks. For instance: the task may simply go away, someone else eventually does it, or it's forgotten by the boss in favor of a new, higher priority. There's even an entire genre of humor dealing with laggards, although at times it may seem like a perfectly reasonable tactic procrastination has some not-so-hidden dangers as well.

Take a moment to reflect back on your life and career. Most of us can remember lost opportunities because of decisions that were delayed too long. Jobs we hesitated to complete or projects put off until it was too late. This was the case of both an officer and Senior NCO I talked with recently. The officer had not finished the graduate schooling needed for promotion and the SNCO failed to take advantage of a career enhancement opportunity. Both had compelling reasons why they never got around to it. Work, family and other obligations topped the list. At the root was a failure to take timely action. So how can we avoid the natural tendency to procrastinate?

Getting from need-to-action, idea-to-accomplishment or start-to-finish can be helped greatly with a few simple techniques. One of the most effective methods to combat procrastination is to use a positive, self-correcting affirmation. Classical sayings like, "Delay not to seize the hour," by Aeschylus can prompt you when you don't feel like getting started. Another great affirmation, "No excuse sir." is used by U.S. Air Force Academy Cadets when asked why they are not in compliance or a task is not completed. It's incredibly empowering and motivating when you shed the cover of an easy excuse. Another way to help stop procrastination is to be selective about the company you keep.

We are influenced greatly by our social circle. Spend time with those who are consistently on-time and on-target in their work and professional life.

Procrastination runs contrary to our military service. Air Force Instruction 36-2618, paragraph 4.1.1. states that Airman must, "accept and execute all duties, instructions, responsibilities and lawful orders in a timely and efficient manner."

Simply stated, we cannot indulge in feet-dragging.

So the next time you face the temptation to slow-roll a task, just repeat that classic TV commercial, "Don't delay, act today."