There are times when procrastination isn’t a bad thing. I’ve let many opportunities pass me by that I never regretted having missed. There are also times when procrastinating has cost me big time. The unfortunate part is that you can’t really tell which kind of opportunity you’re letting slip through your fingers by procrastinating until the opportunity has already gone. Or can you?
When Procrastination Makes Sense
I procrastinate doing the laundry sometimes. Not as much as I used to do, but I still let it get away from me sometimes. However, since I usually end up doing fewer loads, use less detergent and hot water, and make fewer trips up the stairs putting things away, I consider it a job perfect for procrastination.
I have a boss who likes to assign tasks but then come back later and say things like "I don’t really need that thing I asked for because I’ve decided I don’t really think it’s a good idea to share that much information…." I admit, I took to procrastinating on the tasks he assigns unless I know it’s something he would never change his mind about. I haven’t had a problem yet and it’s been about 6 years.
Anything that you can see yourself doing quicker, better, or just more easily later is often a good candidate for some strategic procrastination, or at the very least, an opportunity to let yourself indulge in a bit of putting-off, if that’s the kind of person you are. Sure, this kind of behavior is likely to drive a certain kind of person crazy, but as long as it’s not your boss or your husband, you’ll probably find it makes your life a lot less stressful.
On the other hand, there definitely times when it doesn’t make sense to procrastinate, when procrastination will clearly damage your career, your self-worth, your relationships, and just generally make your life harder and more stressful than it has to be. Those are the times when we really notice our procrastination habits and wish we could stop procrastinating.
When Procrastination Doesn’t Make Sense
There are certain things that you do that you know you’re going to have to do at some point anyway, no matter how long you put it off. If I don’t pay my electric bill when I get the bill (or the money to pay it), I’m still going to have to spend the same amount of time paying it later. The same goes for picking up my dry cleaning, or stopping at the post office to check my box.
Here are two important questions to ask yourself when you feel tempted to put something off.
- Am I just shifting my time?
- Are there significant negative consequences if I procrastinate?
If you don’t gain anything from procrastinating other than the shifting of time that comes with choosing to spend ten minutes or an hour doing it now or ten minutes or an hour doing it later, then most of the time, you’re better off just doing it. Otherwise, you have to deal with the added stress of trying to remember that you haven’t done it and still need to do it, and even though that might not add up to a lot of stress individually, it can sure add up to a lot of stress collectively.
The thing is, many of these kinds of tasks have penalties associated with them. You have to pay a late fee when you don’t remember to pay your electric bill on time. Your clothes are donated because you didn’t pick them up in a timely matter. You missed an important time-sensitive letter because you waited to check your box.
Next time you notice yourself choosing to put something off, remind yourself that there are often times when it’s perfectly okay and when it can even benefit you to procrastinate. But if this isn’t one of those times, make yourself do the task anyway. In the end, you’ll be a happier, less stressed person for having done it.
