Procrastination

Have you ever wondered how a moment of laziness could cost you a lifetime of regret? Okay, maybe I was exaggerating it but indeed I felt truly humiliated this afternoon when I boarded the public bus service 66 for home this afternoon.

The previous night, after attending another session of my weekly math tuition, I decided to take bus service 196 back from the centre, which was located along West Coast Road. I was delighted to find that the bus was pleasantly empty and I plopped myself onto the long aisle of seats on the first storey of the double decker bus. I recall that just a few days ago, the school had invited a guest to speak about the recent changes to the public bus services and promptly identified the service I was on as one of the newer bus models. Not that it made much of a difference. I was overcome with fatigue after finally completing my tests for the term and then having to go for tuition. I am not trying to be complacent or anything but tuition directly after the tests was a pushing it a tad bit too far. I just wanted to rest.

I arrived at the old Clementi bus station and took a short walk down the road to the new terminal just a traffic light away. I noticed that my EZ-Link card was already running out of money when I alighted from the bus but I couldn't care less. Why did the LTA just have to implement the new bus fare scheme? It's causing me to finish the topped up value in my card even after than usual and frankly speaking, I think it is burning a huge hole in my pocket.Oh wait, I am digressing again, aren't I? Well, back to the topic. I knew I needed to top up my EZ-link card. Otherwise I would have to pay more in coins when I traveled back from school the next day. The top-up machine was just an escalator ride away from the new Clementi Terminal. I chose not to top it up, reasoning that I would just do it the next day.

Incidentally, on the next day, as I boarded the bus service 66 for home, I was greeted by the unpleasant beeping of the EZ-link machine after I tapped it. I suddenly remembered that my EZ-link card was out of balance and as I fished out my wallet for coins, it came as an awful shock that I had already burned up all of them during recess on that play of chicken chop that I couldn't even finish. I tried to smile at the bus driver, who seemed to look increasingly incensed, and stepped out of the bus immediately, unable to utter a word. I swear I could hear a few guys snickering behind my back and a horde of girls talking amongst themselves. Procrastination, Jiankai? Think again.

Teachers had always preached about handing in work on time and preparing for examinations before the pressure begins. I never seem to get that lesson into my head and constantly choose to do things at the last minute. Perhaps I am too optimistic, hoping for a miracle, or I am just plain foolish. Even my parents have commented on this fact, urging me to try to make a change. For example, clearing the trash before I start giving myself excuses. However, old habits die hard and I don't think I will be getting more initiative any time soon.

In my opinion, procrastination only seeks to create frustration and stress. Yes, I am saying that procrastination has no benefits at all. When we pile up all our work to the last moment, we are indirectly building up pressure on ourselves, which damages the quality of work produced and if accumulated to an unprecedented level, might result in it being detrimental to health. People might argue that procrastination gives one more time to think about their work but it doesn't strike me that people who choose to procrastinate would use the free time they had gained to improve their work quality. Procrastination, to me, is just one of the long list of excuses we come up with to pardon our laziness or incapability.

The results of procrastination might eventually end up well, though. By dragging a deadline, we might produce a piece of work which still surpasses those who have completed it on time. However, I feel that it is will prove less productive as compared to the individual who has pushed himself to meet the deadline because the amount of effort put into the assignment is not congruent.

Therefore, though it might be hypocritical for me to say it, procrastination is indeed the thief of time and should be discouraged no matter what the circumstance. I wonder then, how am I supposed to get rid of this bad habit of mine?