Confessions of a procrastinator
“Procrastination is the practice of carrying out less urgent tasks in preference to more urgent ones, or doing more pleasurable things in place of less pleasurable ones, and thus putting off impending tasks to a later time, sometimes to the “last minute” before the deadline.”
I have just been on ‘holiday’. When I have not been busy working (yes, thats a contradiction of terms – just roll with it) I have been practising my ability to procrastinate. By that, I mean take things a little easier and do ‘nothing’. Sometimes, when our lives are busy and stressful, it is ok to take some time out and fluff around doing very little – to find ways to procrastinate. It may seem counter intuitive, but go with me on this – to procrastinate can sometimes actually increase productivity. Yes, thats right – I said to sometimes procrastinate a little, can aid in productivity.
Let me elaborate.
Sometimes, your procrastination is ‘active procrastination’, whereby you avoid doing what you are meant to be doing and thereby do something more pressing or important. This is better than ‘passive procrastination’ whereby you are doing nothing. I would argue however, that the odd occasion of passive procrastination where you lie around on your couch doing very little but chilling out, is good for your soul and to help recharge. But, like eating too many chocolates, over indulgence is not advised.
Actually – there is method to the above memes madness. It all comes down to problem solving. If you know how long you have to get something achieved then you know how long you have to procrastinate until you need to do something and get it completed. By understanding your deadlines better by a bit of proactive procrastination, then you actually manage your time better.
Finally, a little bit of procrastination can be a powerful tool to assist you in unwinding, recharging, giving yourself a creative boost, sorting your priorities and managing your deadlines. Like everything moderation is the key.
I would elaborate further but that couch of mine is calling….