Human beings tend to do a lot of procrastinating, and may often wish that there were ways to make procrastination productive, as it often seems like a big waste of time and therefore makes us even less more motivated to do what we should be. However, there are things that can be achieved when you’re procrastinating, so here are 7 ways to make procrastination productive!
If your desk or home is cluttered and untidy, one of the best ways to make procrastination productive has to be to organize it. Or, you can virtually organize your things by sorting out that messy desktop into neat and appropriately labeled files. Not only will it look better, but you’ll also be able to find things more quickly. Now it’s not procrastinating, it’s ‘increasing your long-term efficiency.’
If you need to get some groceries later anyway, why not do it while you’re sat around procrastinating? The change of scenery certainly won’t do you any harm either. Or, if you’ve got some bills to pay, dentist appointments to make or any other dull but necessary task that needs doing, getting these done in your procrastination time is a great idea.
if you’re not going to actually do anything, one of the ways to make procrastination productive is to think or talk about doing something. Identify and schedule all of your tasks to help you get things done when you feel like it again and if you’ve done that, don’t be afraid to start planning that family holiday or big day out. It’s not a waste of time, because you’re going to have to do it at some point anyway!
Coming up with brilliant ideas is certainly very productive, and most entrepreneurs, inventors and smart go-getters have their best ideas when they’re not really doing very much. The only problem with this one is that you can’t do it at will.
If you’re not doing what you should be, you can at least keep your brain active by picking up a good book. If you’re not really in the mood to think for yourself, then you may as well absorb the brilliance of someone else. And who knows? It might inspire you to actually do something.
If you’ve promised someone that you’ll do something to help them but just not got round to it yet, this is a great time to do it. Helping someone else to be productive means you’re being productive too, and you’ll be able to keep your friends, family and colleagues happy, just by procrastinating productively! If you don’t owe anyone anything, why not pop in and see an elderly neighbor? You’ll make their day and it will make you feel great.
This definitely has to be one of the very best ways to make procrastination productive, because exercise is good for you and most of us don’t get enough of it. This exercise can be in any form you like. A walk will help clear your head for when you want to get back on task, but if you fancy something a little more energetic, head down to the gym or just put on some of your favorite tunes and have a dance around the house.
Now that you know a few different ways to make procrastination productive, there’s no excuse for not achieving something when you’re procrastinating, even if it isn’t the thing you were supposed to be achieving! As a result, you’ll hopefully feel better in yourself and be more likely to focus on the task in hand. Do you find yourself procrastinating a lot?