Don’t Procrastinate
In the whirlwind of modern life, procrastination has become a common roadblock for kids when it comes to taking charge of their responsibilities. Often tempted by distractions and the allure of instant gratification, kids may delay their tasks, leading to stress and missed opportunities. However, teaching our young ones the value of being proactive and tackling their responsibilities head-on can set them on a path to success and fulfillment. Let’s explore three crucial points on how kids can embrace proactivity and overcome procrastination, paving the way for a brighter future.
Know What’s Expected
The first key point to being proactive instead of procrastinating, is to know what is expected of you. You might be asking, “how do you know what’s expected of you?” To start, think about all the things you normally do everyday. That can be brushing your teeth, getting dressed, and doing homework. Be proactive by doing these things whenever appropriate, instead of waiting for mom and dad to tell you. Next, think about the things that you are responsible for doing on a weekly, monthly, or more long-term basis. That can be cleaning your room, putting away laundry, or any chores that you are tasked with. If you are asked to do something often, that means someone expects you to take care of that regularly. So, instead of waiting until the last minute, get it done as soon as possible!
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Act Fast
The second factor of anti-procrastination is acting fast! After you’ve figured out what it is that you need to get done, don’t waste any time getting started. Move right away, and get it done quickly. However, be careful not to rush through it, and make silly mistakes. Do it the right way, giving your all, as fast as you can. Acting fast is the key to getting things done before, or being proactive. If you wait too long, or keep putting it off, then chances are you might run out of time to get it done! That’s why procrastination is no good, and we need to make sure that we proactively take care of our tasks and goals by acting fast!
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Prioritize Tasks
Finally, the last piece of the proactivity puzzle is prioritization. Prioritizing tasks means arranging them in order of importance or urgence. If something has a quickly approaching deadline, or is extremely important, it should be done sooner rather than later. On the flip side, something that doesn’t need to be done urgently can wait a few minutes. You might be thinking that pushing some activities back would be “procrastinating,” but as long as you’re doing something more pressing in the meantime, it’s perfectly okay! In fact, we encourage that behavior, because that’s what strategic thinking and task-prioritization is all about! Think about what’s most important, and do those things first!
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In Our Classes…
Our classes this week will center around being proactive, and not procrastinating. We will be showing our students why procrastination is bad, and how they can overcome its tempting grasp through knowing expectations, acting fast, and prioritizing tasks. The character talks during each class will not only go over these 3 key points, but expand and elaborate on them, offering more insight into the importance of proactivity. Students can practice being proactive and not procrastinating by having their karate uniforms, belts, and sparring gear (if needed) ready to go before they leave the house for class, that way nothing is forgotten. There are plenty more ways that kids can practice being proactive both on and off the mats, so keep an ear out during classes for more tips!
Conclusion
Teaching kids to be proactive rather than to procrastinate is a gift that will serve them throughout their lives. By knowing your expectations, acting fast, and prioritizing tasks, our children can prevent procrastination and embrace a future filled with possibilities. Let us empower our young ones with the tools they need to take charge of their responsibilities, and confidently stride towards a brighter and more fulfilling tomorrow. Remember, the journey to success begins with that first step – taken today, not tomorrow!