Procrastination is the Rodney Dangerfield of human experience. It's something you'll never get respect for, it's under-appreciated and underrated. If you tune into your need to procrastinate however, you may just find it serves a purpose. It may just be your mind's way of telling you it's not quite ready to do the task at hand.
Next time you get the urge to procrastinate, don't fight it, but work with it. Surrender to your need and go do something else, but do something rather than nothing. We're not extolling the virtues of being a couch potato, but sometimes your mind does need the freedom to wonder.
Try performing some mindless task, such as doing the dishes or cleaning the bathroom, while giving your unconscious mind the brain-break it needs to do its thing. You may start on your intended task two hours, or even two days later, but you'll do it better and more efficiently, and you'll have a clean toilet to boot!
Need procrastination inspiration? Try hitting these appropriately mindless (in the best sense of the word) sites:
- Procrastinate with eco-friendly, virtual bubble wrap.
http://fun.from.hell.pl/2003-11-24/bubblewrap.swf
- Make music with sheep rather than counting them.
http://eecs.harvard.edu/~nesson/sequencer.html
- A silly story with apples and aliens.
http://souljerky.com/_media/swf/alan_watts_appling.swf
- Projects with tennis balls and tissues.
http://lifehackery.com/2008/01/23/99-extraordinary-uses-for-ordinary-objects/
- A (not-so) physical feat to try at home or in the office.
http://www.sciencemadesimple.co.uk/page73g.html
- If you're looking for a little perspective.
http://slashninja.com/it-depends-how-you-look-at-it/
- Try procrastinating to stop hunger.
http://www.freerice.com/
- Become our friend online.
http://www.myspace.com/thedailymantra
http://www.facebook.com/people/Daily_Mantra/539823722
- Know your dreams can become a reality
http://www.slipperybrick.com/2008/01/star-trek-gadgets/
- A moral to bear in mind before you take action.
http://freshgasflow.com/ourcrazyplanet/transport/crazy_cranes.htm
Author’s note: This story is a testament to the power of procrastination. It was conceived in October or November 2007. I first sat down to write it on Tuesday February 5. I finally actually wrote it between 9 p.m. and 10 p.m. on Tuesday February 6 after mindlessly Stumbling around the internet for an hour. Then, in the spirit of the piece, I sat on it for a day or so before finally posting it.
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