Procrastination: To put off doing something, especially out of habitual carelessness or laziness. To postpone.
We all do it. We know there is something that we need to do and yet we wait. There might even be a deadline or a late penalty and yet we find reasons or make excuses not to get that something done. I’m guilty of doing it with my vehicle registration all the time. First, I don’t think I should have to pay a fee for the pleasure of driving my vehicle. Second, where is that money going? Not into road improvement for sure. Certainly not to hire faster, more efficient DMV employees. Then on top of the fee, I have to spend the time and pay to get it smogged! No wonder I put it off!
The problem is that procrastinating can become a very bad habit. Without realizing it we could even be hurting or injuring others. We could be holding someone else back without meaning to do so. As coaches and players we have an obligation to be timely and need I say prompt.
As a player, your procrastination could very easily hurt the team and your fellow players. A simple thing like getting to practice on time can become a major problem for the entire team. The coach has to stop what he’s doing to deal with your tardiness. While coach is dealing with you whatever he was teaching is at a stand still. Now the team is waiting around. Time, valuable time is ticking away. Your tardiness has caused you to miss something that the coach no longer has the time to go back over and repeat just for your benefit. Timeliness can cast a big ripple in a team.
Forms and paperwork that need to be turned in on time is another way we procrastinate. How many times as a player have you been given a form to fill out for a camp and given a deadline by which to turn it in? And how many times did coach have to tell you to get it done? What about fundraising? Players are constantly being asked to fund raise in one form or another. Do you jump right on it and make that effort to help out your program or do you wait until the last minute and do a sloppy job of it raising nothing or very little? Your procrastination can definitely hurt your program and your team when it comes to fundraising. Maybe someone doesn’t get to go to camp because just you didn’t make the effort. How sad would that be?
As coaches, we too have an obligation to be timely with the things we are charged with handling. Putting off the practice plan preparation isn’t going to get the job done. The team and staff need direction on a daily basis as to what needs to be accomplished and yet some coaches do it all by the seat of their pants. Lining up camps, weight room sessions, conditioning practices and so forth all need timely preparation.
I have learned both as a coach and a business owner that I cannot afford to put off until tomorrow what I can do today. Camp is in June but we start the preparation for camp in December, just after the season ends. Holding a camp the caliber of LinemenInc, takes a lot of work and preparation. We want for LinemenInc to be the very best of experiences. We want it to be something that is long remembered with pride and yes, affection. That doesn’t happen by waiting until the last minute to get things done.
Like camp, life needs preparation and time, not procrastination. Be men of action and get the job before you done now, not later or when you get around to it. That may mean some sacrifice and dedication but what better way to savor life than to make some sacrifice and earn the reward for it even if it’s just in the knowledge that you did a good job and in a timely manner.
Don’t put off your preparation any longer. After all, camp is now only 36 days away and registration is due in just 11 days on June 1st. See you next month!