How To Procrastinate And Produce More

“Procrastination is healthy”

If you were to do it in moderation. While I realize there’s plenty who won’t agree with me, however, truth be told, if you don’t procrastinate from time to time, you’re actually missing out on the finer things in life, i.e to live free and just enjoy doing what you like.

Although with that said, procrastination has been a major cause to lack of productivity for many people. Therefore, the best way to do it is to find the right balance.

There seem to be a big misconception when it comes to procrastination. When people hear the word, negative thoughts came to mind.

In reality however, much of the problem does not lie in the act itself, but on how you do it and on what exactly.

And if you were to do it the right, chances are you will be able to get more done versus if you spent more time on your tasks.

Now before you throw a skeptic look right off the bat, I would like to invite you to hear me out for 3 minutes, so I can perhaps prove you wrong.

My mom tricked me

I used to remember how my mom always reminded me to study hard.

“Study hard so you can have a good future Karlil.”

The exact sentence is still ringing fresh in my ear to these days. Like all other parents who love their children, her intention was good.

Over the next couple of years however, I’ve come to learn a new phrase, and it goes something like this:

Study smart, not study hard.

I was skeptical at first, possibly because I would rather trust my mom than the saying of a stranger. Overtime however, I started realizing just how true the concept was. Clearly, my mom was wrong, and i have been made a victim to the old teaching.

So what does this have anything to do with procrastinating and getting more done?

It’s not the amount of time spent that dictate how much work you can get done, but how focus you are on getting it done.

Distractions disrupt focus

Imagine sitting in front of your computer trying to write your new blog post, all while your favorite TV series, Grey’s Anatomy is running on the television. You may choose to switch it off so you can concentrate. However, in the back of your mind, you can’t help but wonder if George will survive the operation (I don’t watch the show).

How do you think this will affect your output? Possibly a lot considering you can’t put all your focus into your writing. And the worst part is, this thought will hardly stop even when the show ended.

On the other hand, imagine if you choose to procrastinate and watch the show instead. And when you’re done, you start on the post. Will it be better that way? Will you be able to focus more? Absolutely!

Focus comes with a limit

But distractions are not the only problem we must face everyday. We also have to face the problem of staying in focus. If you have ever tried to make use of all your time to produce, you would know just how hard it is to stay in focus after some time has passed.

But before you blame yourself for the limitation, know that unless your brain is powered by Mac, there is absolutely no way you can pull off running 100% all the time. Most of us are only running Windows.

How to achieve maximum focus

Maximum focus is gained when your mind does not wonder elsewhere and all your effort and focus are fixated on a single task. To achieve such state of mind , you must first get rid of any distractions that may come in the way.

There are a couple of ways to do this, one being detached yourself from these distractions. It could be switching off your phone or simply plugging out the internet. It does work from time to time for me, but I just don’t think this is the best way to do it.

And then there’s another popular but often less recommended way of doing things, which is by first indulging in these distractions. This act is what most come to define as procrastination, while others who are more laid back simply call it, enjoying life. Take a look at my example below where I procrastinate first and produce later.

Facebook, email and twitter.

These are the three things that I will first check before I put focus into my writing. It usually takes 20 minutes of my time. But by first going through these distractions, I can put maximum focus on my work later because I have killed the curiosity that may linger in my mind otherwise.

There are of course some other distractions that I have, depending on the hour. I will almost always choose to procrastinate and come back later for my work, unless I have something urgent in hand. Enjoying life is high on my priority list, and it should be the same for everyone else.

What to procrastinate

Getting rid of your distractions by going through your own list is a good way to start the day, provided it doesn’t take too much of your time. If your distractions take up a few hours long, you should seriously consider dropping some. Imagine a program that always hangs your PC? Wouldn’t you uninstall it?

Another great way to procrastinate is to take a short nap if you are feeling lazy or tired. As said earlier, focus cannot be maintained at 100% all the time. Taking a short nap can revitalize you and help increase your output later. Albert Einstein and Thomas Edison does it, and you can see just how great it has work for them.

How to procrastinate the right way

There is no doubt that if you can’t control your procrastination, it’s going to consume you. After all, procrastination is a habit, not an act. Perhaps the most used phrase to initiate this habit is:

“I’ll do it later”

The problem with this sentence does not lie on the word “later” which many have come to believe, but the hanging of the sentence.

- I’ll do it later after the show.

- I’ll do it later after a 15-minute nap

- I’ll do it later after the movie

I’ll do it later after…. yada yada yada. The trick is simply to be specific and always commit to your words. I don’t think I can stress this enough. You must always commit to your word. If you don’t think you can fulfill it, don’t say it in the first place, so you won’t break your own word. Here, read this.

I’ll stumble this article later after finish reading it. I will also subscribe to this blog later while I am at it.

Procrastination, if done correctly can boost your focus and result in tremendous productivity. It was never the time spent but the focus.

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