The 3 Costs of Procrastination – What is it Costing You?
The 3 Costs of Procrastination
What’s the busiest day of the week? Tomorrow. And the busiest time of the day? Later. Yes, we are always, always putting things off. But our procrastination comes with costs.
This may seem off-topic from finances, but it’s not at all. How often do we procrastinate in our money matters? Do you have a 401K with an old employer that you haven’t gotten around to moving? Have you been meaning to open an IRA? Have you ever said, “I’ll start paying off my debt when ____?”
Well, in my wisdom and (almost) forty years on this planet, I have come to the conclusion that procrastination will always cost us one of three things: time, money, or quality.
1. Time
Whether it’s dealing with long lines because we waited until the last possible minute to do something (Christmas Eve shoppers and April 15th, tax return mailers, I’m talking to you), or missing out on the benefits of investing early, putting things off costs us time.
2. Money
Late fees; higher hotel rates and airline fares; missed early-bird discounts; higher-priced seasonal items, etc. By delaying what we need to do, we ensure that it costs us more when we finally get around to doing it.
3. Quality
If you’ve ever waited until the first threat of snow to buy a shovel, then you know that procrastination can cost you quality. If you delay studying or writing a paper, the quality of what you produce will suffer. We sacrifice quality and choice, and we limit our options when we procrastinate.
Triple Threats
There are times when our procrastination will cost just one or two of the three costs: time, quality, or money. But there are times when it will cost us all three. Delaying any financial matter usually is at the expense of all three.
For example, I mentioned investing. By delaying that, we miss out on time in the market; we naturally lose money, and the quality of what our investments produce suffers.
Beware of the triple threats!
Counting the Costs of Procrastination
Extensive studies have been done on the psychology behind our procrastination, and maybe one day I’ll look into them. In the meantime, one tactic I use to combat procrastination is to count its costs.
I encourage you to do the same. When you feel the pull of procrastination, ask yourself, “Which of these three things will my procrastination cost me? Time? Money? Quality? All three?”
In answering that question, you will be more aware of the consequences of your procrastination, and hopefully, that will propel you into action. The worst result of procrastination is inaction. Counting its costs is a good antidote.
Challenge
My challenge to you is select one thing that you’ve been putting off and to commit to doing it. Give yourself a time frame to complete it so that you will be more likely to accomplish it.
What is your procrastination costing you? What have you been putting off regarding your finances? Let me know what it is in the comments, and when you’re going to do it!
I wanted to comment, but really have nothing to add because you nailed this one! Your 3 costs of procrastination are spot on.
I’ve been procrastinating asking for a raise at work but no longer – I’m having that conversation today! Wish me luck
That’s awesome Ty! Report back with the outcome. Good luck!!
Ask and ye shall receive: 4% raise! Effective immediately! What a fantastic way to start the weekend!
Oh wow! Congrats! What a great reward for choosing not to delay any more!
No kidding – thanks for the nudge!
One thing I struggled with a while ago was being stuck with analysis paralysis. I just wasn’t sure what the best thing to do with my money was when I should have just made a decision and entered the market. Now I continue to put money in monthly to dollar cost average my investments.
Yes, that’s a good one! Analysis paralysis can be down-right crippling!
Interesting post. I wrote something about procrastination on my fb page today – very different from what you write here – I was saying how people often say they are lazy and that’s why they don’t do something: look for another job, leave a bad relationship, make a difficult call – while the real reason we often procrastinate is that we are scared. Scared to try to compete for another job; scared to face an angry spouse and say we’ve had enough; scared to make a call for fear of the reaction at the other end. Socially it’s often more acceptable to say we are lazy than to admit we are scared.
Interesting point, Marguerite. You are so right that “lazy” has become socially acceptable. And spot on about being scared, although people definitely feel too justified in their excuses to recognize the fear.