“You may delay, but time will not.”
Benjamin Franklin
Time doesn’t negotiate. It doesn’t wait while we hesitate, deliberate, or convince ourselves that tomorrow will be better. Leaders, perhaps more than anyone, feel this truth acutely. Every choice we delay has a ripple effect—on momentum, trust, and outcomes.
Procrastination isn’t just a productivity killer; it’s a leadership challenge that demands awareness and intentional action.
The Cost of Inaction
Every leader has faced a moment where hesitation seemed safer than action. Maybe it was a decision that felt too big, or a conversation that felt too uncomfortable. But here’s the problem: inaction creates more problems than it solves.
When you delay, uncertainty fills the void, often leading to doubt and disengagement in your team. Over time, those ripples of hesitation can erode trust—because without clarity, people lose confidence in the direction you’re leading.
So, ask yourself: What’s one decision I’m avoiding right now? What’s holding me back?
Build Momentum: Progress Beats Perfection
Jim Collins describes the power of consistent effort in Good to Great. He calls it the “flywheel effect”—small, steady pushes that create unstoppable momentum. Delays stall that progress, making every restart harder than the last. I love this metaphor and use it often when working with clients and leaders.
To explore this concept further, check out Good to Great by Jim Collins:
Leaders often procrastinate because they’re waiting for the perfect answer, but perfection isn’t the goal—progress is. The truth is, even imperfect action moves the needle forward.
Timing or Avoidance? Be Honest with Yourself
There’s a difference between waiting strategically and procrastinating out of fear. Sun Tzu’s wisdom reminds us that timing is critical to success: “He will win who knows when to fight and when not to fight.”
But let’s be clear—timing requires clarity and preparation. Avoidance, on the other hand, stems from discomfort or uncertainty. The next time you find yourself hesitating, pause and reflect: Is this delay helping you position for success, or are you simply avoiding the discomfort of action?
For insights on overcoming procrastination, Nic Voge’s TED Talk, Self-Worth Theory: The Hidden Key to Understanding and Overcoming Procrastination, is an excellent resource.
Time: The One Thing You Can’t Get Back
Franklin’s words cut to the heart of leadership. Time is a leader’s most precious resource, and once it’s gone, it’s gone for good. That’s why it’s essential to guard your focus and ensure your energy is aligned with what truly matters.
Here’s a simple challenge: Identify one thing you’re delaying that, if addressed today, would move your mission forward. Then take one step—no matter how small—to start.
Closing Thought
Procrastination isn’t just about putting things off—it’s about what’s at stake when you do. Leadership requires us to face the hard things, take decisive action, and own the outcomes. Franklin’s wisdom is a powerful reminder: we don’t get to choose how much time we have, but we do get to decide how we use it.
Stop waiting. Time won’t.
