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What if I told you procrastination can be good??
//A thread//
//A thread//
We live under constant pressure, always pushed to our own limits.
There is never enough time to get everything done.
But does this always mean we are getting the rights things done?
There is never enough time to get everything done.
But does this always mean we are getting the rights things done?
Personally I see productivity as:
The creation of systems and habits that maximize the outputs derived from my inputs.
Productivity makes us focus on the quality rather than the quantity of our outputs.
The creation of systems and habits that maximize the outputs derived from my inputs.
Productivity makes us focus on the quality rather than the quantity of our outputs.
More does not always equals better.
It's by focusing on creating more, that you challenge yourself repeatedly to get better.
And by actively engaging in procrastination to hijack the focus on quality of your output when you are working for limited amounts of time.
It's by focusing on creating more, that you challenge yourself repeatedly to get better.
And by actively engaging in procrastination to hijack the focus on quality of your output when you are working for limited amounts of time.
What do we think about procrastination?
We have two camps:
1. It's a regulatory failure and a personal anti-productivity disaster
2. It is a potential enhancer of creativity and focused work.
We have two camps:
1. It's a regulatory failure and a personal anti-productivity disaster
2. It is a potential enhancer of creativity and focused work.
History examples in defence of procrastination
Charles Darwin who did 20 years to write and publish his book "On the origin of species." Leonardo Da Vinci who never published most of his ideas, inventions or artwork like the Mona Lisa.
Were they so maladaptive?
Charles Darwin who did 20 years to write and publish his book "On the origin of species." Leonardo Da Vinci who never published most of his ideas, inventions or artwork like the Mona Lisa.
Were they so maladaptive?
They performed active procrastination
Active or creative procrastination can lead to more productivity. It can be during times of leaving your projects, that the biggest ideas and innovations can rise from the ground up.
It can be the fight against "productive mediocrity."
Active or creative procrastination can lead to more productivity. It can be during times of leaving your projects, that the biggest ideas and innovations can rise from the ground up.
It can be the fight against "productive mediocrity."
But if procrastination is good, then why do we do it?
- Out of fear and lack of self-efficacy.
- Low frustration tolerance and low self-worth.
Basically we don't see ourselves as capable of finishing the task in a way that is deliverable to others, so we distract ourselves.
- Out of fear and lack of self-efficacy.
- Low frustration tolerance and low self-worth.
Basically we don't see ourselves as capable of finishing the task in a way that is deliverable to others, so we distract ourselves.
What are the potential benefits most of us don't recognize?
1. More selective attention.
2. Learning new skills. (while you procrastinate)
3. More eye on details.
4. More creativity.
5. Room for innovation.
1. More selective attention.
2. Learning new skills. (while you procrastinate)
3. More eye on details.
4. More creativity.
5. Room for innovation.
If procrastination is not that bad. How can it be used?
You can use active procrastination as way of directing your attention to more urgent tasks. This will lead to more focus and clarity while you do the task and more creativity when you interleave the task.
You can use active procrastination as way of directing your attention to more urgent tasks. This will lead to more focus and clarity while you do the task and more creativity when you interleave the task.
Next time when you procrastinate, say that you do this because of these three dimensions:
1. Cognitive dimension (smart decision making)
2. Affective (You like the pressure and time constraint.)
3. Behavioural (The challenge of completing tasks in a set time-frame)
1. Cognitive dimension (smart decision making)
2. Affective (You like the pressure and time constraint.)
3. Behavioural (The challenge of completing tasks in a set time-frame)
Next time when other complain about your procrastination, you can say this:
"When I actively procrastinate, I deliberately choose to regulate how much time I allocate to and when I work at a given task. This enhances my performance and my well-being."
"When I actively procrastinate, I deliberately choose to regulate how much time I allocate to and when I work at a given task. This enhances my performance and my well-being."
This was the thread about active procrastination.
Share this with fellow procrastinators to let them know they are maybe being smart by including this practice in their work routine.
Do you actively choose to procrastinate sometimes?
Share this with fellow procrastinators to let them know they are maybe being smart by including this practice in their work routine.
Do you actively choose to procrastinate sometimes?
