Positive Procrastination
The right amount
The right amount. You either classify as lazy or not. You either procrastinate or not. You’re hard on yourself because you don’t do something or you’re inconsistent. Maybe you’re trying to do too much. Or, you could be doing something that simply doesn’t matter to you. We all have our preferences on things. What we like and don’t like. The activities that bring us joy and give us life and the things we simply do not enjoy. What if instead of considering yourself a procrastinator, you simply practice positive procrastination.
There is only so much time in a day to get things done. Positive procrastination is simply doing nothing on purpose. Not as a way of life or consequence. Positive procrastination only works when you have done your key tasks in life. For example, being a stay-at-home parent who does nothing once the kids are asleep.
The point here is, when you have intense focus on the job you are designed for or are taking on, positive procrastination is a great way to offset that work. It becomes a ritual that can help you recharge. This can be an hour of mindless TV each night. A nap after work.
Too much work or focus for a period of time leads to burnout. And it many respects to being discontent with the work in front of you. Positive procrastination is a great way to unplug. Now the complicated part is to not procrastinate just because, as this is too easy. Allow procrastination to be your reward. It requires discipline for sure to have this be a way of life. You can have positive procrastination one per day or once per week. You get to decide. The objective is to reward yourself for the hard work you’ve done.
Sometimes you just need to relax. And sometimes you need to find something else to do. Because if you hate the job in front of you, all you’re going to want to do is procrastinate. And it won’t be the positive type. At this point negative and empty procrastination takes over your life and you place yourself in a rut.
By doing something you love, something you’re excited about, than positive procrastination would work for you.
These are my chief tasks in life:
Self-care
This includes a lot. To summarize this is journaling, sleep, proper eating, interacting with who/what makes me happy. Exercise and lots of walks. Being the man I set out to be, actions over words.
Fatherhood
Presence. Being there with my kid and present. Nothing else matters.
Family
Overall, how can I serve and support them. Typically this applies to my immediate family. Those I live with. Then my dad and brother.
Writing
This blog, every day. Working on writing my first book. Includes journaling.
Reading
Every day. I love to read.
Learning
This can be an article or a blog. I am a life long student. Sometimes I play catch up during the week here if I miss a day or more. Regardless, I’m addicted to learning.
Taking care of home
Lawn care, cleaning up and maintenance. I cherish the peace and calm of my home and that must be preserved.
Once these areas are worked on daily or met, I feel good activating positive procrastination. Sometimes that means going to bed early. Watching birds. Or sitting on my porch with nothing in hand and taking in the sounds of nature. Or sitting with a Mexican coke and not a care in the world.
Thought Provoking Questions : What work do you love? How can positive procrastination help you? How can you prevent procrastinating too much?
Dan Roman is a Husband, Father, and writer that releases a daily blog. A quick read. Sharing wisdom and asking thought-provoking questions.
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