Procrastination is something I never took seriously until it took something important from me. I always thought I had time. I always felt I could do it later. I didn’t know I was slowly building a habit that would one day slap me so hard.
It happened after graduation, I spent some months searching for jobs like most fresh graduates do. One day, a close friend sent me a job vacancy. It was everything I wanted, a well-known company, a great salary, a creative role that matched my skills, and the location was perfect. The kind of job you will ever pray for. I was so excited.
The application deadline was in ten days. I told myself, “No rush, I’ll take my time and make the CV and cover letter perfect.” So, I relaxed. I watched movies, scrolled through social media, and told my brother that I was working on something big whenever he asked me about it because we were living together But the truth was, I hadn't even started.
Each time I opened my laptop, I would say, “Let me eat first.” After eating, I would say, “Let me rest a little.” Then the day would end. Like that, five days passed. I hadn’t written a single word. On the sixth day, my friend called to remind me. I lied and said I had submitted it already. That lie gave me temporary peace, but deep inside, I panicked. I knew I was playing with fire.
On the eighth day, I finally opened my laptop to start the application. I realized the job required a professional and tailored CV, a strong cover letter, and answers to three essay questions. I felt weak. I thought it would be easy. But now, I have just two days left and nothing ready.
Still, I tried to rush it. I stayed up all night writing, copying formats online, and trying to perfect them. I didn’t review my work, I just typed and submitted everything on the final day which was one hour before the deadline. Two weeks later, people started getting interview invites. I didn’t get anything. I checked my email like twenty times a day. Still nothing. I started feeling anxious. I told myself maybe they would still send mine. But after another week, I saw a post online from someone who got the job. I was crushed.
I called my friend again and she asked if I got in. I told her no. Then she said something that still rings in my ears: “You had everything they were looking for. If only you had submitted a stronger application.” That sentence broke me. I knew she was right. I knew I didn’t give it my best. I knew I rushed it. And the painful part was, I had time. I had ten full days, but I wasted eight pretending I still had more. I lost that job not because I wasn’t qualified, but because I waited too long to take action.
That moment changed me. It felt like I had disappointed myself. For days, I couldn’t sleep well. My heart ached, and not because I didn’t get the job, but because I knew I had all it took to get it but I allowed procrastination to win. Since then, I started treating every opportunity like it’s the last one I will ever see. If something is important, I start immediately even if it’s just small steps. I’ve learned that life doesn’t always give second chances. Sometimes, you don’t get to go back and fix it. You just live with the “what if.”
Now, anytime I see a job application or a new opportunity, I remember how it felt to miss out on something that could have changed my life. I remind myself that procrastination is a slow poison. It doesn’t kill immediately, but it kills slowly and you may not notice until it’s too late.
This is my entry for day 4 of the #aprilinleo of the inleo daily prompt. If you wish to join this prompt then you can click on this
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