"إذا قمت بالأمور في الوقت الذي من المفترض أن تقوم بها فيه فإنك دائمًا تكون متقدمًا على الآخرين"

Staying ahead of the curve means keeping up with your responsibilities and tasks as they come, rather than letting them pile up. Imagine you’re in college, and you’ve got a paper due in two weeks. The professor says, “Start early, folks.” If you dive into the research and writing as soon as possible, you avoid that last-minute panic, and you might even have extra time to refine your ideas. Essentially, doing things when you’re supposed to gives you a head start, and you’re less likely to get overwhelmed.

The idea here isn’t new. Think about how ancient farmers worked. They knew that if they planted their crops on time, they’d have food to harvest later. It’s a timeless principle. In more modern times, this advice rings true in so many contexts—from school, to work, to personal projects. The sooner you tackle your tasks, the more breathing room you give yourself. And let's be real, it's a great way to reduce stress.

Consider this: you’re managing a big project at work. It’s a multi-phase project with several deadlines. Many people wait until the last minute to start key phases, which often leads to rushed, sloppy work and missed deadlines. But if you begin each phase as soon as you receive the go-ahead, you’re not only likely to finish on time, but you’ll also have extra moments to deal with unexpected challenges—because they always pop up, right?

One way to apply this wisdom in your daily life is to use a planner or a to-do list. Write down your deadlines and break your tasks into smaller chunks. Then, commit to working on these chunks regularly. It might feel weird at first—almost too organized—but soon you’ll notice you’re less stressed and more productive.

Think about a time you had a big test. Remember that sense of dread when you hadn’t studied enough? Now, imagine if you’d started reviewing your notes a little bit each night, right from the start. You’d walk into that exam room confident, your mind sharp and ready. That’s the power of doing things when you’re supposed to.

Or picture this: you decide to train for a marathon. You’ve got six months. If you run a little bit every day, gradually increasing your distance, by the time the marathon rolls around, you’re in top shape. But if you put off training until the last month, you’re going to struggle, maybe even get hurt. It’s all about pacing yourself and staying ahead.

In short, tackling tasks when they’re assigned, rather than delaying, allows you to manage your time better, do higher quality work, and maintain your peace of mind. It’s about building a habit of promptness that helps you navigate through tasks efficiently. It’s not always easy—procrastination is a wily beast—but the payoff is well worth it. Start small, stay consistent, and watch how your life gradually shifts from frantic catch-up to smooth sailing.