I know many of us have procrastinated at one time or another in order to avoid rejection, failure, or working on something that really doesn’t interest us. I catch my kids holding up the homework train with text messaging or television – wondering when is this homework going to get done? I guess there are days I can even admit I ask the same thing about housework, laundry, and the odd business process. The other day my daughter came home from school and started explaining to me that she was at study skills session and the teacher said procrastination is not necessarily a bad thing. I thought, “Oh no – Here it comes!” My dear daughter said, “See Mom, not all procrastination is bad.” Her learning and declaration really got me thinking – maybe procrastination does have a purpose after all.

PROCRASTINATION STIMULATES CREATIVE THINKING

When you are crunched for time to get things done, you need to be creative and innovative with how you use your time. You might start with jotting down notes of all the pros and cons of a project, mind-mapping ideas, or drawing pictures of what needs to get done. Out of the box ideas may come from time constraints.

PROCRASTINATION LEADS TO HIGH PERFORMANCE/HIGH QUALITY

If you are one of those people who waits until the last minute to execute and achieves high results, you are amazing! I bet if you planned everything out you would probably not get the same results as you do when you are under pressure. Some individuals say they actually do not do as well by planning to the last detail. You have learned to use your procrastination to your advantage.

PROCRASTINATION LEADS TO CLARITY AND GOOD DECISION MAKING

By holding off on making a decision until you weigh out all the facts and information, you can reach clarity and make a decision you feel satisfied with. You gain better insight by reflecting on your next steps of action.

PROCRASTINATION MAY LEAD TO QUALITY “ME” TIME

Chances are you are a high achiever but high achievers still need to take a break to regroup and re-energize. Hopefully, in the process, you decided to play the piano, cook a gourmet meal, take pictures, or play a board game with your child. Whatever, you did instead, must have been more fulfilling at the time. Procrastination may be the “pause” in life you need.

PROCRASTINATION LEADS TO GREATER FOCUS AND GETTING MORE DONE IN A SHORTER AMOUNT OF TIME

You can hear the clock just ticking – you only have 20 minutes to get things done. Does your panic button alarm go off? When you have a shorter amount of time, you have to really work with purpose and take decisive action. You learn to get laser-focused and prioritize very quickly. I encourage you to set a timer and see how much you can get done in just 20 minutes. You will be amazed. Think of how fast you tidy up when someone says they are coming over to your house in 20 minutes.

Procrastination may have a purpose after all but it is not healthy if it cause guilt, perfectionism, or hinders action based on fears and self-doubt. I enjoyed reflecting and thinking about how there can be purposeful procrastination. The next time my daughter starts on her assignment at 10 p.m. maybe she needs to set herself a deadline and I need to be an observer of a procrastinator in action getting the results she wants. Thankfully – what we procrastinate about is a matter of choice. For the most part, procrastination is not a permanent way of being but a tool for high performance.

How has procrastination served you? Please share this article with the procrastinators in your life and comment below.