I am a born procrastinator, bone idle when it comes to doing the hard yards. But I don’t see this as a self-regulatory failure. With a careful selection of the things which I plan or must do, I can avoid many unpleasant tasks for endless periods of time, sometimes forever.
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Unfortunately, there are unpleasant matters which appear to be unavoidable if deep trouble is to be avoided – such as tax returns, the washing up, an assignment, that bill to be paid etc. Here it is important to take particular care to place them in order of priority and, again leaving to the last minute, finally do them under duress, if you have to.
This is known as ‘positive procrastination’ and often results in a better job being done after leaving it to cogitate in your mind for a day, or weeks, waiting for inspiration. It can produce a more interesting or creative result than if you did it as soon as it became apparent.
The key is to be methodical about it. At the top of your to-do list put a couple of daunting, if not impossible tasks that are vaguely important sounding (but really aren't) and seem to have deadlines (but really don't). Then further down the list, include some doable tasks that really matter. With this appropriate task structure, the procrastinator becomes a useful citizen. Indeed, the procrastinator can even acquire, as I have, a reputation for getting a lot done.
In summary: procrastination is putting off tasks you have to do. Positive procrastination is the art of making this trait work for you. Purposeful procrastinators of the world unite. Go forth and, um... actually, don't do anything for a while.
Psychology Today’s blog In the Age of Anxiety suggests procrastination offers these benefits:
• You get to put off unpleasant tasks in favour of more enjoyable things.
• Problems may end up getting solved without any effort from you.
• You can avoid the possibility of failure – or success.
• You get to avoid the discomfort of doing something you dread.
• You can avoid the anxiety you feel about the task.
• Someone may come to your rescue and do it for you.
• The demands placed on you get lifted because you dragged your feet.
Would you like to hear my favourite procrastinator joke? I’ll tell you later.
I originally planned to write this article last year but put it off till now.
