Introduction

Looking back, it’s obvious procrastination has been a lifelong companion of mine.

It’s always been easy to find other things to blame. But digging down deep unearths the truth—I put things off that I really should do. And in doing so, my to-do list gets out of control.

My procrastination first showed up in school, when I’d wait until the last minute to finish an assignment. Just good enough to make the grade . . . but never feeling like I’d done my best.

It then showed up at my first job, when I faced hard, challenging work that quite honestly made me wonder what I’d learned in four years of college. It was easier to plead busyness than to admit I felt underqualified and afraid to try. Would my work show I didn’t have what it took?

Procrastination then popped up its bossy head as I got involved in church, volunteering, and leading small groups and Bible studies. But its influence truly escalated when I answered God’s call to write and speak. It hasn’t controlled all areas of my life, but it’s impacted me enough that I finally said no. No to the lies that tomorrow would be easier. No to the fear that I’d look like a fool. No to the threat that my best wasn’t good enough.

And I also finally said yes. Yes to addressing the underlying issues of my procrastination. Yes to being brave enough to face some weak areas. Yes to hard choices that bring my responsibilities under control. And yes to sharing it all with you.

Here’s what you won’t find in this book: advice written from someone who has only studied this topic in a classroom or laboratory. Or advice from someone standing on the sidelines with a megaphone yelling instructions. You won’t find any advice like “Just do something” or “Get over yourself!”

Rather, what I hope and pray you’ll find is encouragement from someone who knows all the doubts, frustration, and personal disappointment procrastination causes because she has lived it. But you’ll also find hope, encouragement, and truth that procrastination doesn’t define you. Plus I’ve included practical tools that have helped me, and others, face the reasons we delay addressing our highest and best work.

We’re on even ground, you and me. And we’re both standing in the shadow of the cross of Jesus, where there’s much-needed grace to be found.

Thank you for joining me here.

In His love,

Glynnis