ACTIVE PROCRASTINATION FOR SUCCESS & HAPPINESS

Procrastination is something we all do and often those who procrastinate too much are thought to lack the drive to get things done. This however, isn’t necessarily true.  Procrastination needn’t be a bad thing and those who actively procrastinate can use it to their advantage and become quiet successful. So what I am saying is that, that half an hour you spend playing BingoGodz in-between editing essays or researching an assignment needn’t be a bad thing or stop you from getting things done and may in fact help keep you on track and limit stress. Serial procrastinators like myself, can utilize their desire to procrastinate to not only complete the tasks they need to but do so whilst managing stress and task-related anxiety.

Don’t believe me? Well, hear me out:

** THE ADVANTAGES OF PROCRASTINATION **

1. PROCRASTINATION ALLOWS YOU TO GIVE YOUR MIND A BREAK

Nobody works well when angry, frustrated or bored out of his or her mind. Procrastination allows one to set a task aside and have a carefree break. My Mother always says ” Walk away and come back to it with a clear head” and guess what? This totally works for me. As an Active Procrastinator I have no trouble leaving a task à moitié fait in lieu of playing a few Internet games or responding to emails. This is because I know when I do come back to such task my mind will be clear, I will be less frustrated and able to focus. Plus the added buzz of accomplishing whatever else I set off to do, no matter how small it may have been gives me that little bit more of a push to get working on the task at hand to regain that satisfaction.

2. PROCRASTINATION ALLOWS MORE IDEAS TO FLOW

Generally, as I procrastinate and put more and more things ahead of actually completing an important task I spend a hell of a lot more time thinking about such task and the diminishing time I have to complete it. I may not want to write that essay and won’t, but Instead I will spend hours developing ideas, researching and thinking outside the box without putting fingertips to keyboard or even opening a Word doc. Basically I will find anything else other than actually writing the darn thing to do. These ideas and research are often the basis of a great final result and something I would have never thought of if completing such task was my number one priority and sole focus.

3. THE TASKS YOU COMPLETE WHILST PUTTING OFF OTHERS BECOME YOUR BEST WORK

Some of my best work is work I have completed in lieu of not doing something else. Ask any procrastinator and they will tell you that a lot of time and dedication goes into a task that is being undertaken as a way of avoiding another.

4.  ACTIVE PROCRASTINATORS WORK BETTER UNDER PRESSURE

Not everyone produces his or her best work across a long time period.  In fact, some people are more successful when they are given a tight time constraint and a strict deadline. For those who know that this is how they operate, sometimes becoming an active procrastinator is the key to success and results.

So there you have it 4 general reasons why Active Procrastination can be beneficial to success and happiness. Don’t get me wrong Passive Procrastination which often leads to afternoons of nothingness is far different to Active Procrastination but if you are able to channel your Procrastination Actively you are well on your way to becoming what I like to call a Productive Procrastinator.  What do you think? Are you a serial procrastinator who uses this trait to your benefit? And if so, how?

Want to learn more?

Learn more about Structured Procrastination here.

Professor Frank Partnoy tells us why procrastination is good for us in this interview.

Tags: Can procrastination be Good?, Love & Lifestyle, Procrastination, The Advantages of Procrastination