Overcoming procrastination: Self-accountability, a key tool

By Christabel Oboshie ANNAN, Accra

PRESIDENT and Co-Founder of the Pan-African Leadership Institute, Dr. Kofi Osei-Kusi, has urged individuals to prioritize self-accountability as a key tool in overcoming procrastination.

Procrastination is the act of delaying or postponing tasks or decisions, often unnecessarily or irrationally, despite knowing that doing so may have negative consequences.

He noted that while having external accountability partners can be helpful, the most important factor is personal responsibility.

“Self-accountability is crucial. You are the one who truly understands your own vision and mission in life, and therefore, you must hold yourself accountable for achieving your goals.” he said.

In an interview on Zed 101.9fm, Dr. Osei-Kusi pointed out that common tools like to-do lists, alarms, and diaries are practical elements of a self-accountability system.

He explained that these tools help individuals stay on track, encouraging them to regularly check in with themselves both at the beginning and end of each day.

“In the morning, you should ask yourself, ‘What am I going to do today?’ And in the evening, ‘How did I perform?’” he advised.

He further illustrated his point by referencing the discipline of animals such as ants, which work diligently without external supervision.

“If animals like ants can organize themselves without a ruler or commander, surely we can learn from them and establish our own systems of accountability,” he said.

While Dr. Osei-Kusi acknowledged that external accountability partners can be beneficial for ensuring progress, he stressed that relying solely on others is not enough.

“You must first develop a strong self-accountability system before expecting others to help you manage your time,” he cautioned. “Even CEOs need checks and balances—it’s always good to have another eye watching you,” he added.

According to him, without accountability, individuals easily go off track and feel isolated but having supportive people helps to ensure that individuals stay on course.

He emphasized the importance of developing a balanced attitude toward time management to combat procrastination.

He highlighted the cultural differences in time perception and how they impact productivity, drawing comparisons between different societies, such as the West, the Arabs, and Ghana.

He acknowledged that some cultures are more flexible with time, yet they still manage to achieve significant progress.

“Look at the Arabs; they are flexible with time but have still managed to build Dubai into a thriving city,” he noted.

According to him, the key lies in understanding when strict adherence to time is necessary and when flexibility can be allowed.

Dr. Osei-Kusi stressed that while time management is crucial, it’s important to strike the right balance.

“There are certain situations where time must be respected and strictly followed—like when you’re dealing with trains, airplanes, or important deadlines. However, in other cases, such as personal interactions or moments of crisis, being flexible with time can have significant emotional value,” he explained.

He advised that individuals must develop a sense of self-discipline and awareness to manage their time effectively, as poor time management is often a root cause of procrastination. “At the end of the day, it’s about balance. Understanding the power of time and applying it wisely can make all the difference,” he said.