Waiting until the last minute is something almost everyone does, even I am procrastinating as I write this.
People think that procrastinating is a bad habit that needs to be fixed. Procrastinating encourages diverse thinking and leads to better ideas. People tend to thrive off the pressure that procrastinating creates.
How exactly does procrastination lead to better ideas? When you wait until the last minute to start an assignment, you still have it in the back of your mind developing, even while you go about your day doing other things. When you go to finally do the assignment, your ideas often feel more organized, creative, and formed after letting it simmer and develop in your mind. Often, last-minute pressure brings out better work than planning time to do the assignment.
Research also supports the idea that procrastinating can boost creativity. A statistic that backs up that is procrastinators who play games before starting their assignment. In a study using students people who played games before starting had 28% more creative ideas than people who started the assignment right away. This proves procrastination isn’t just a bad habit and that it is productive by giving your brain the time it needs to generate better, more creative ideas.
Procrastination doesn’t work the same for everyone. Its effectiveness depends on the individual and how it’s used. For people who struggle with procrastination, there are strategies and hacks to help people use it as a helpful tool instead of a bad habit, turning something that is seen as a weakness into a great way to boost creativity and productivity. Taking the time to understand how and when you work best can make a huge difference when it comes to doing tasks or your work.
In the end, waiting doesn’t always mean you’re wasting time. Don’t panic when you want to put your work on hold because a little delay might be what you need for your work. Strategic procrastination can be a great tool, helping people to think more creatively, organize ideas, and produce great work under pressure.
Emily Carder is a Nickerson freshman studying Business Management and Entrepreneurship. Contact her at [email protected].
