We Put The “Pro” In Procrastination

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Whenever we are asked to identify our shortcomings, most of us will say, or at least think, “Procrastination.”

But why is this considered a bad trait? One might argue that it is due to the belief that a procrastinator won’t accomplish their tasks. However, look up procrastination in a dictionary and you’ll find its definition: the act of delaying or postponing something. There is nothing in this sentence that implies that the “something” won’t get done—it just will be done later.

If we follow this definition of procrastination and do not give into the extraneous falsities that come along with procrastination’s generally negative connotation, we can consider procrastination to be a positive thing.

For example, right now, I should be writing a thesis that is due in less than 72 hours. Instead, I’m rediscovering Shakira’s music, writing this article, and shopping online for half-price Prada shoes. I’m sure you can relate to this.

The normal person may consider these seemingly pointless activities to be hindering the process of my paper, but in fact they are merely aiding my procrastination—my “act of delaying or postponing something.” And, you see, if I had not decided to challenge myself to find Prada sandals for under $150, I would not have found my new summer staple. Nor would I have burned 100 calories from dancing to “Hips Don’t Lie,” and I certainly wouldn’t have pushed my creative limitations to explore the connotations of procrastination.

If you think about it, scheduling is a form of procrastination, one that we all do. By scheduling out our days, weeks, and months, we are really just deciding if we should delay and postpone our obligatory lunch meetings longer than going out to see the new Veronica Mars movie (the answer is yes, yes we should.)

So here’s to changing the underlying negative beliefs of procrastination. When we give into procrastination, we allow our minds to wander, to be free, to create, and to challenge. I would be willing to argue that the longer we procrastinate, the more creative our minds get, trying to find those little tasks that trump the bigger and more important ones. We are giving our minds an exercise by procrastinating.

So go ahead and do some online shopping, clean your room, and go out for coffee. As long as you get your work done eventually, it’s all beneficial in one way or another.

featured image – Shutterstock