Productive procrastination can benefit you

The sweet stress of procrastination.

That might be a stretch. But is being a procrastinator always bad?

In the photo above is a Christmas stocking with a hand-stitched 24 days of Christmas theme, complete with miniature ties to attach pieces of candy.

It is my first adult memory of biting off more than I could chew, creatively.

With zero cross-stitch experience, I confidently purchased this kit to make for my husband.

Not just zero experience in that, but zero training in any handiwork arts. I made it through all of one row or so.

Then, like any self-respecting quitter would do, I called Grandma.

Eventually, my project was rescued from procrastination purgatory.

I am proficient at taking on projects that I have zero experience in. Only now, I don’t “quit”. I may never finish, but I am okay with that.

Productive procrastination (also known as structured procrastination) involves doing beneficial things while delaying doing more important things- Solving

What is an example of productive procrastination?

Process is a pleasing, albeit sometimes frustrating, place to sit.

I love to learn, to experience, to create. I am not afraid, generally, of trying new things. I also am not afraid of dumping what doesn’t fulfill me.

Procrastinating has the power to drive creativity.

Imagination only comes when you privilege the subconscious, when you make delay and procrastination work for you –Hilary Mantel

How can productive procrastination benefit you?

For deep thinkers, delay involves careful analysis. Procrastination allows the brain to consider many angles; all potential possibilities. Ideas that might be missed if rushed thinking prevailed
Putting off until tomorrow what can be done today? If the creativity isn’t ready to display itself, then forced work cheats the outcome. Sometimes, the postponement of a project is better. There is value in coming back to projects with fresh eyes
The body has a chance to restore creativity, and a project might blossom into a new direction. A better direction

I’ll be frank, sometimes this can be frustrating, a seeming inability to focus and produce. I seldom have one thing going, in any area.

7 books read at the same time. 4 projects all clamoring for space and attention. Classes signed up for but inconsistently attended. But…when it comes? It will be worth the wait.

I appreciate the surprise deferment can bring.

Productive procrastination is a tool not a lifestyle

Let me clarify that procrastination can be good for creativity but not as a lifestyle.

I don’t leave others hanging. I don’t promise things and not deliver to commitments. However, most definitely, procrastination can hinder a rich life by constantly putting off what needs doing as a habit.