We’ve all been there: a looming deadline, but somehow, checking social media or binge-watching that show we’ve seen a million times seems like a better use of our time. Procrastination often gets a bad rap—it’s considered the villain of productivity, a sign of laziness, or a fatal flaw that leads to failure.
But what if I told you that procrastination, when used strategically, can actually help boost creativity, improve decision-making, and even make you more productive?
If you look through history, some of the world’s greatest thinkers were also masters of procrastination. Leonardo da Vinci, for example, took years to finish the Mona Lisa, and Steve Jobs was known for delaying decisions, believing that time allowed ideas to grow stronger. Studies show that when we procrastinate, our brains don’t just shut off—they continue processing in the background, often leading to more creative ideas. So next time you find yourself stuck, maybe stepping away from the task can give your subconscious a chance to work its magic.
We’ve all rushed into a decision only to regret it later. One of the benefits of procrastination is that it gives you extra time to think things through. When you delay making a choice, you allow yourself the space to reflect, gather more information, and consider different perspectives. This thinking time can help you avoid rash decisions. For example, if you take a break while writing an essay, you might return to it with a fresh perspective, spotting mistakes you didn’t notice before.
Not all procrastination is wasted time. “Structured procrastination” is a concept that lets you delay one task by tackling another. Instead of staring at a blank page, you might clean your desk, reply to emails, or brainstorm ideas for another project. You’re still being productive—just in a different way than you originally planned.
Tips for Making Procrastination Work for You:
- Use the “Two-Minute Rule” – If something takes less than two minutes, do it right away. This will help you keep small tasks from piling up and becoming overwhelming later.
- Set a “Procrastination Timer” – Let yourself procrastinate for a set amount of time, then commit to jumping into your work when the timer goes off. This can create a balance between rest and productivity.
- Embrace Mind-Wandering – Instead of trying to focus non-stop, allow yourself to take a break and let your mind wander. It might help you come up with unexpected ideas or make connections you wouldn’t have noticed before.
Make Your Procrastination Productive – If you’re avoiding a major task, use that time to do something else that’s still useful, like exercising, brainstorming, or tidying up your space. At least by the end of the day, you’ll still have accomplished something!
