You know that thing you should be doing right now? Well, you’re not alone in avoiding it. In fact, many of us are experts at finding ways to procrastinate. But what if I told you that procrastination doesn’t have to be a total waste of time? Welcome to the world of productive procrastination, where delaying a task might actually make you a more thoughtful and effective professional.
Before you roll your eyes, let’s dig into how you can turn procrastination into valuable business thinking time.
The Genius of Procrastination
Let’s face it: procrastination gets a bad rap. Society treats it like the ugly cousin of productivity. But some of the greatest thinkers—like Albert Einstein—were notorious procrastinators. Ever wonder how he came up with the theory of relativity? Maybe he was avoiding his laundry. The point is, procrastination doesn’t have to be the enemy. It can be the time when your brain is silently solving problems in the background, like a slow cooker for genius ideas.
Instead of stressing out about not being productive in the traditional sense, embrace the time as a way to let your brain marinate on complex problems. Procrastination can be a mental rest that allows for better insights later.
Turning Procrastination into Strategy Time
The key to productive procrastination is steering it in a way that benefits your business or professional life. Here’s how:
- Make Procrastination Intentional: Decide that you’re going to procrastinate. Yes, you read that right. If you feel that itch to avoid a task, lean into it, but with a plan. Use that time to do something loosely related to work—like brainstorming ideas, organizing your thoughts, or catching up on industry news.
For example, if you’re avoiding writing that report, take 15 minutes to read a relevant article or analyze a competitor’s strategy. You’re still avoiding the report, but you’re doing something valuable with that time.
(Related article: Learn more about intentional procrastination techniques.) - Low-Stakes Tasks = High-Value Thinking: Sometimes the best ideas come when you’re doing something mundane. Think about how many great ideas pop into your head while you’re taking a shower, washing dishes, or pretending to listen to your Zoom meeting. By occupying your hands with a low-stakes task, you free up your brain to wander—and that’s when the magic happens.
Next time you find yourself cleaning out your desk drawer instead of preparing for a meeting, don’t beat yourself up. You might just stumble upon the next big idea.
(Pro-tip: Read about how small tasks can lead to big ideas.) - Procrastinate with Purpose: Ever heard of “active procrastination”? It’s a fancy way of saying you’re doing something else while avoiding your main task. The key is to make that something else productive. Answering emails, organizing your workspace, or updating your LinkedIn profile may not be the main event, but they’re still important.
The goal is to procrastinate with purpose. By choosing productive side tasks, you’re still moving forward, even if it’s not directly on the project you’re dodging. - Create a Thought Parking Lot: When procrastination strikes, your mind is often buzzing with unrelated thoughts. Rather than letting them distract you, create a “thought parking lot.” This is a place—whether it’s a notebook, app, or whiteboard—where you can jot down ideas that pop into your head. Not only does this free up your brain, but it also gives you a stash of ideas to explore later.
Imagine you’re avoiding a deadline, but suddenly come up with a brilliant marketing idea. Park it. You can always come back to it when you’ve got more time.
(Find out more about managing ideas effectively.)
Why Productive Procrastination Works
The beauty of productive procrastination is that it allows your brain to work in the background while you consciously do something else. You might not be tackling the task directly, but your subconscious mind is chewing on it. This often leads to clearer, more creative solutions when you finally get back to it.
Another benefit? Reducing stress. Let’s be real—forcing yourself to power through when you’re stuck only leads to frustration. Giving yourself permission to step back and focus on something else can relieve that pressure and make it easier to dive back in later with renewed energy.
The Fine Line: When Procrastination Becomes Unproductive
While procrastination can be a powerful tool, it’s important to avoid letting it get out of hand. There’s a difference between giving yourself a mental break and falling into the abyss of YouTube cat videos. The key is balance.
To keep procrastination productive, set a timer. Give yourself a set amount of time to procrastinate, and when the timer goes off, get back to work. This way, you indulge your procrastination without letting it spiral out of control.
Bringing It All Together
At the end of the day, mastering the art of productive procrastination is about turning a habit that’s often seen as negative into a positive force. By channeling your procrastination into tasks that are still beneficial, you can keep moving forward—even when you’re not tackling the main event.
So, next time you’re tempted to put something off, don’t feel guilty. Use that time wisely, and you might just find that procrastination was exactly what you needed to unlock your best ideas.If you’re looking to refine your business thinking and strategies further, why not Schedule a Chat? It’s a great way to turn those procrastinated moments into actionable plans.