MESSAGE #59 - DON'T PROCRASTINATE

On the wall of a runners' store in Princeton is an Adidas poster...
"Sweat, pain, and exhaustion are all temporary - finishing Boston is forever."

This poster refers to the Boston Marathon. Even if you're not a runner, this poster refers to you as well because you're in a marathon too. Getting your degree is a marathon - not a sprint.

Whether it's an athletic marathon or an academic marathon, there are two things you have to do to cross the finish line:
Number one is start.
Number two is continue.

Sounds simple . . . but it's not that easy. As a matter of fact, only 42 percent of students who start four-year colleges in the U.S. ever receive their diplomas.

1) Start: It's the start that stops most people. Most people plan on getting started. They hope to get started. They want to get started. But they never get started. Why? Because they procrastinate. Procrastination is a killer. Procrastination is getting ready to get ready. The secret is that you don't have to feel like getting started - you just have to get start. Don't wait until you feel like doing it . . . just do it and then you'll feel like it! So today start going to all your classes, start studying, start doing your assignments - whether you feel like it or not.

2) Continue: In other words, "Keep on keeping on." Why do so many people fail to continue once they get started? The number one reason for quitting for marathon runners is pain and exhaustion. The number one reason for college students is discouragement. In the long run, it hurts more to quit than to continue.

Question: How do you fight discouragement?
Answer: With success.

Let me explain . . .Nothing succeeds like success. When you actually start seeing results, your whole world changes. Results change attitudes.When you actually start seeing good grades on your quizzes, exams, and assignments - these results are powerful motivators. Nothing succeeds like success.

Start.
Continue.
Cross the finish line!

The tassel is worth the hassle.

Do you need a little more motivation? Call Success Hotline at (973) 743-4690. Recorded messages are available 24/7 with new messages every day at 7:30 a.m.