Why Procrastination Can Be Productive

Procrastination is often seen as a productivity killer, but when understood and managed, it can sometimes offer surprising benefits and insights into how we work best

CREDIT: This is an edited version of an article that originally appeared on All Business

Procrastination is something nearly everyone experiences at some point. In fact, research shows that 95% of people procrastinate occasionally, with 20% struggling with chronic procrastination. However, the truth is that procrastination is far more nuanced than most people think. While it’s often seen as a major roadblock to productivity, it doesn’t have to be. In fact, procrastination can sometimes even have its benefits, depending on the situation.

Understanding why we procrastinate and how it affects our work can be key to managing it effectively. Rather than viewing procrastination as a purely negative habit, recognising when it’s hindering progress and when it might be serving a purpose can help us make smarter decisions about how we spend our time.

Active Versus Passive Procrastination

To better understand procrastination, it’s important to differentiate between two types: “active” procrastination and “passive” procrastination. Passive procrastination, the more familiar form, involves delaying or avoiding a task in favour of doing something unproductive or simply putting it off entirely. On the other hand, active procrastination is a bit different. In this case, you might delay one task, but instead of wasting time, you fill the gap by working on another task – often one that’s still important or productive, just not the one you originally intended to focus on.

This type of procrastination can be considered “productivity neutral,” as it doesn’t necessarily harm your overall output; instead, it might even help you make progress on multiple fronts.

Getting Some Emotional Distance

Procrastination isn’t always a negative force; it can serve as a tool for emotional management, particularly when we’re faced with decisions or situations that provoke strong emotions. When emotions run high making hasty decisions can often lead to regrettable outcomes. In these instances, allowing yourself some time to pause and procrastinate on reacting can offer a valuable opportunity for emotional regulation.

For example, instead of firing off an angry email in the heat of the moment, taking a break and delaying your response allows your emotions to settle, enabling you to approach the situation with a clearer mind. By using procrastination strategically in these cases, you give yourself the space to think more rationally.

Realigning Your Priorities

Procrastination can often serve as an insightful tool for uncovering what truly matters to you, but it requires a bit of introspection and self-awareness. When you find yourself actively procrastinating on a particular task, take a moment to ask yourself why. Is it because the task falls outside your expertise? If that’s the case, it may be worth considering whether you can delegate it to someone better suited for the job.

Alternatively, is procrastination occurring because you don’t believe the task is important? Sometimes, we avoid tasks because deep down, we recognise they’re not essential to our goals. Over time, this process can help you differentiate between tasks that genuinely require your attention and those that are distractions, giving you a clearer sense of your priorities.

The Time Isn’t Right

If you’re not yet equipped with all the necessary information or resources to complete a task, it may be wise to hold off until you have everything in place. Rushing ahead without complete details could lead to errors or incomplete results, forcing you to go back and fix things later, which ultimately wastes more time.

By allowing yourself to wait until you have a clearer understanding of the task or more data at hand, you can approach it with greater confidence and accuracy. This delay gives you the opportunity to gather relevant insights, consult with others, or even let ideas develop further, leading to a more effective outcome in the long run.