Dearest Darling Friends,

A young apprentice approached his wise master, troubled. “Master, I keep delaying my important work. I always tell myself I will do it tomorrow, but tomorrow never comes.”

The master smiled and took the apprentice to a nearby river, where an old bridge stood—half-built, abandoned. “Do you see this bridge?” the master asked.

“Yes, master. It is unfinished,” the apprentice replied.

“The builder started with great enthusiasm,” the master explained, “but he grew tired and said, ‘I will finish it tomorrow.’ Tomorrow became weeks, then years. Now, the bridge leads nowhere.”

The apprentice nodded in understanding.

“The greatest cost of delay,” the master continued, “is not just lost time but lost opportunities. The river of life keeps flowing, and if you do not build your bridge today, you may never cross it when there is a need.”

Credible Data on the Cost of Procrastination

Procrastination isn’t just a personal struggle—it has real economic and productivity costs:

A study by Piers Steel (2007) found that 95% of people admit to procrastinating, with 20% doing so chronically.

Darius Foroux (2019) analyzed workplace productivity and found that procrastination costs U.S. businesses around $10,396 per employee per year due to lost productivity.

Research from Joseph Ferrari (2010) showed that chronic procrastinators experience higher stress, lower financial security, and poorer health outcomes.

A Journal of Consumer Research study (2013) found that people who delay important financial decisions often lose thousands in missed investments and late fees.

Like the unfinished bridge, procrastination can leave dreams incomplete, goals unachieved and opportunities lost. The best time to start was yesterday. The next best time is now.

With love, prayers and best wishes,