The habit of procrastination is deadly and must be discouraged if you truly want to live up to your full potential in life. 

Procrastination is the postponement and delay of the needful due to unnecessary excuses. This habit keeps one from doing what is needed until it’s too late. 

Unfortunately, it begins gradually until it wrecks the entire life of a person. Hence, you need to learn how to stop procrastinating before it’s too late. 

Oftentimes, people become victims of procrastination for so many reasons;

• Fear of the unknown 
• Fear of what people will say
• Idleness for a long period
• Desire to remain in comfort zones
• Living without purpose
• The grip of laziness

Permit me to say that procrastination can become habitual. This is what makes how to stop procrastinating difficult for some people, although it’s achievable.

I’ll walk you through how to stop procrastinating in 5 simple steps.

Why You Need to Learn How to Stop Procrastinating

Let’s begin:

Procrastination Breeds Lukewarm Christians

A believer who procrastinates will soon become a lukewarm Christian.

These are the types that have refused to grow from being a baby Christian to a mature Christian—they’re satisfied with their current level in God and don’t desire more of Him. 

God Himself distaste lukewarm Christians.

So, because you are lukewarm and neither cold nor hot, I will spew you out of My mouth!—Revelation 3:16. 

In other words, God doesn’t count lukewarm believers as His own.

Procrastination Leads to Backsliding

Without knowing how to stop procrastinating on time, believers begin to draw back from the things of God.

This includes; 

• Continuous fellowship with the brethren
• Intense study of the word of God
• Prayer
• Evangelism e.t.c

They keep on delaying and giving flimsy excuses for their absence. Gradually, they fall out of faith.

A Procrastinator is the Breeding Ground for the Adversary Lies

Procrastinators never aim for something high and always think less of themselves. 

This is because they have refused to study the word of God to know the promises of God concerning their lives. 

Hence, the adversary can easily tell them lies about their identity and keep them from living up to their potential.

A Procrastinator Lives in Secret Sin

A person who procrastinates continues to postpone the day of their repentance from secret sin. 

They believe they still have enough time to repent later in the future— they continue this way until their life is destroyed.

A Procrastinator Can’t Fulfil Purpose

No matter what prophecy has gone forth regarding a person, if such a person doesn’t know how to stop procrastinating, it won’t come to pass. 

For faith without works is dead. 

God can’t entrust valuable things into the hands of a person who isn’t ready to work on them to achieve success. 

How to Stop Procrastinating in 5 Effective Steps

Irrespective of your present level with God, here is how to stop procrastinating:

1. Ask the Lord to Help You

Perhaps, you’re reading this and you know your life hasn’t made progress due to your attitude of procrastination—it’s time to surrender all to the Lord and ask Him to help you. 

By your strength you can’t overcome it. But, when the Lord empowers you, your victory is guaranteed. 

Don’t feel ashamed to approach God for help. That is why He is your father and always there to come to your rescue.

2. Daily Confess God’s Strength Into Your Life

Having asked the Lord to help you on your journey on how to stop procrastinating, it’s time to declare to yourself that you’re more than able to overcome 

Break free from the grip of laziness through the word of God.

I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me [I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who infuses inner strength into me; I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency].—Philippians 4:13.

You should adapt apostle Paul’s affirmation as yours even as you walk through how to stop procrastinating.

3. Begin Now!

Procrastination creeps in when we’re always seeking the right time to begin doing something. 

However, we mustn’t wait forever to begin. 

Refuse to stay idle and start from somewhere no matter how little. You need to see life as a process, hence, you must begin taking one step at a time to fulfill your purpose here on earth.

4. Discover Your Purpose

Those who don’t have a purpose are most likely to fall victim to procrastination.

They find it difficult to understand how to stop procrastinating because they don’t even know what they’re living for.

There are virtues deposited in you by God, something only you can do best. 

Prayerfully discover that thing and it will certainly guide you into your purpose in life. 

5. Set Goals and Work Towards It

Always plan beforehand the things you want to accomplish in a day, week, month, or year. 

This activity log keeps you occupied doing the needful without wandering off track. 

In other words, set both short and long term goals for yourself—there is satisfaction and happiness that comes from achieving your laid down goals.

Final Thought on How to Stop Procrastinating

You may not be where you want to be in one day, but check your life, you’re no longer where you used to be.

Refuse to be stagnant, get something done and break free from the trap of procrastination.

It won’t be easier at the start but begin with one step at a time applying the tips on  how to stop procrastinating shared in this guide.

What’s that thing you’ve procrastinated for a long time? What step are you taking to get back on track? Do share your experience in the comments.