How to Procrastinate ‘Strategically’ for Better Outcomes
Not all procrastination is bad.
Procrastination, often seen as a negative habit, may actually be beneficial for artists and content creators. Though not recommended as a 9–5 employee because you can’t afford to do so.
Many artists may find that procrastination allows them to think about their work for a longer time before starting, resulting in new and creative ideas.
In fact, some of the greatest works of art may have been created by procrastinators.
One example is the famous painting, “The Persistence of Memory,” by Salvador Dali. Dali was known for his procrastination and would often take months or even years to complete a painting. He would let the painting sit for long periods of time before coming back to it, this allowed him to look at it with fresh eyes and make new discoveries and innovations in his work.
Another example is the novel “Moby-Dick” by Herman Melville. Melville procrastinated for several years before starting the novel, allowing him to gather and process a wealth of information and inspiration. This led to the creation of one of the most famous and enduring works of American literature.
Procrastination also helped author J.K. Rowling to finish her first book, “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.” She started writing the book while she was working as a researcher and bilingual secretary, she had a lot of free time at work and when her work was done she would write and procrastinate.
She took several years to complete the book, which allowed her to develop the story and characters in great detail, leading to the creation of one of the most successful and beloved book series of all time.
Good things take time.
Normal procrastination vs strategic procrastination
It is important to notice that normal procrastination and purposeful procrastination are two different types of procrastination.
Normal procrastination is the act of delaying or postponing tasks or responsibilities without a specific reason or purpose. It is often motivated by feelings of anxiety, fear, or lack of motivation and it can lead to negative consequences such as stress, decreased productivity, and missed deadlines. This type of procrastination is often seen as a bad habit and is associated with poor time management.
Purposeful procrastination, also known as strategic procrastination, is the act of intentionally delaying or postponing a task or responsibility for a specific reason or purpose. It is motivated by a desire to gather more information, improve the quality of the work, or create a sense of anticipation.
In short, normal procrastination is an unproductive habit, while purposeful procrastination is a productive one.
Normal procrastination is often driven by a fear of failure, while purposeful procrastination is driven by a desire to improve.
The main difference between the two is that normal procrastination is often unintentional, while purposeful procrastination is intentional.
Now as you understand the difference between the two, how do you know when to purposefully procrastinate?
Here is when
#1 — When you need more time to gather information or research
Sometimes, a task may require more research or information before it can be completed.
Purposefully procrastinating in this situation can allow you to gather the necessary information and improve the quality of your work.
Let’s say you are a tech podcaster who wants to create a new episode about the latest developments in virtual reality technology.
You begin to gather information and conduct research for the episode. You read articles, watch videos, and listen to other podcasts about virtual reality technology. However, as you begin to record the episode, you realize that there is a gap in your knowledge and more information is needed to make the episode more informative and engaging.
Instead of rushing to record the episode, you decide to take a step back and take the time to gather more information and research the topic. You reach out to experts in the field, look for new studies, attend virtual reality conferences, and test new virtual reality products.
By taking this extra time to gather more information and research, the quality of the episodes greatly improves and your audience absolutely loves them.
#2 — When you need to gain perspective
Sometimes, it can be hard to see the big picture when you are too close to a project.
Purposefully procrastinating can give you a chance to step back and gain perspective on the task, which can lead to new insights and ideas.
Let’s say you are a fiction writer working on a new novel and are stuck on a particular plot point.
Instead of forcing yourself to continue writing, you decide to purposeful procrastinate. You take a step back and take a break from the novel, go for a walk, read a book, or do something else you enjoy.
During this break, your mind is free to wander and make connections that you might not have made while you were stuck on the plot point.
As a result, you gain new perspectives on the story and are able to come up with new ideas to move the plot forward.
#3 — When you need to avoid burnout
When you are under a lot of pressure, it can be easy to burn out.
Purposefully procrastinating can allow you to take a break and come back to the task with a fresh perspective, which can help you to avoid burnout.
Let’s say a developer is working on a complex and time-sensitive project, he has been working long hours and starting to feel stressed and burnt out.
Instead of pushing it through, the developer decides to purposefully procrastinate. He goes for a walk, exercises, or does something else he enjoys.
During this break, the developer’s mind and body are able to relax and recharge. As a result, he returns to the project with a fresh perspective and renewed energy.
He is then able to maintain a healthy work-life balance and be more productive in the long run.
#4 — When you need to improve your skills
Purposefully procrastinating can give you an opportunity to experiment with different techniques or materials, helping you to improve your skills.
Let’s say a musician (she) is working on a new album and wants to experiment with new sounds and techniques.
Instead of rushing to finish the album, she decides to purposefully procrastinate. She attends workshops, listens to different genres of music, and collaborates with other musicians.
The musician then creates a more diverse and dynamic album which will increase the chances of it being successful.
Conclusion
It’s important to note that while purposeful procrastination can be beneficial, it should be used in moderation and not as an excuse for avoiding responsibilities.
It should be used as a tool for creativity and productivity. And you should also be mindful of the deadlines and make sure to meet them.
The keyword here is ‘deadline’.
If you are not constrained by one and see that your situation fits those criteria, don’t worry too much about procrastinating the tasks for a little while.
Remember that only procrastinate when you:
- need more time to gather information or research
- need to gain perspective
- need to avoid burnout
- need to improve your skills
Some planned procrastination can turn out to be beneficial after all.