Procrastination — As A Tool For Self-Growth

Jude Manickam
5 min readOct 13, 2023

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Over the past few weeks, the weather in this part of Asia has been alternating between scorching heat and drenching rain almost daily.

This pattern is somewhat unusual for this time of year, even considering it’s the inter-monsoon season.

That’s how I ended up at the laundromat one rainy day, needing to quickly dry the bulkier laundry items that couldn’t be air-dried at home.

The machine duly informed me I had about 30 minutes to “not do anything” while it completed its thing.

Image: Freepik

As I watched the clothes tumble in the machine on medium heat, my mind began to wander.

The Beatles’ “I Am The Walrus” 😆 droned in my head, dancing a tango with my thoughts:

  • Aren’t our lives like these clothes? Tumbling around in an eternal spin cycle, only coming to a halt when the timer stops abruptly?
  • In the midst of this constant motion, there’s a multitude of tasks that demand our attention — a never-ending list of chores, big and small.
  • Unsurprisingly, these chores almost always come with its partner in crime — Procrastination!

Which in turn reminded me of an old classmate’s message in my autograph book from years ago.

I was 15 then. I don’t think I ever grasped the meaning of those words.

My old friend who penned the words died a couple of years ago due to illness.

But over the years, his words have come to ring true.

The dreaded thief of time has been a constant companion in my life, and it doesn’t seem to be leaving the building any time soon 😀.

Image: Bearing News

Let’s cut to the chase:

Is Procrastination bad?

According to research, not all procrastination is bad.

While persistent procrastination can lead to stress and other health-related issues, intentional stalling may not always be bad.

Can I Beat Procrastination?

Procrastination is usually seen as a productivity killer.

What I learned though rather paradoxically, was that it can be turned into a tool for personal growth.

As I dug deeper, I came up with this simple 3-step plan that could be a takeoff point:

  1. Recognizing Procrastination
  • Procrastination is the act of delaying tasks or actions despite knowing that they should be done.
  • It often occurs due to a fear of failure, lack of motivation, or a desire for instant gratification

2. Accepting Procrastination

  • Everyone procrastinates at some point in their lives.
  • Instead of fighting it, if I can acknowledge it, I may be able to turn it into an opportunity for self-growth.

3. Overcoming Procrastination

Case Studies

Perhaps the following 2 case studies can help explore the 3 step plan and identify the core issues related to procrastination:

Andy frequently discusses his aspirations and things he’d like to do but struggles to find the time for them. Other pressing matters often take precedence, causing him to put his grand plans for the future on hold.

Core problem: Unreasonable Expectations

Jimmy has a strong desire to write but claims he lacks the dedication to accomplish it. Despite having numerous ideas and research materials at his disposal, he hasn’t managed to transfer his thoughts onto paper — yet.

Core problem: A Lack of Motivation

Identifying the core reason for procrastination is the first step.

The second is to accept it. After all, it’s a part of human nature.

When I set the bar too high, chances are that I am setting myself up for failure. Maybe I need to re-adjust my expectations.

Human beings are creatures of habit.

We are wired to seek the path of least resistance, which means the most convenient option is often the winning option.

We need to learn to make good choices more convenient and bad choices less so.

When we do this, our behavior will improve naturally.

Let’s take Andy in the 1st case study:

If Andy wants to start exercising, he could do well to follow James Clear’s “Two Minute Rule” which states that, “When you start a new habit, it should take less than 2 minutes to do.”

  • By actually setting a lower entry barrier for himself, Andy can overcome his procrastination in stages.
  • When Andy’s standards for achievement are too high, he will take longer to start going.
  • His goal to “Run 3 kilometers” could be rewritten as “Tie my running shoes at 5 pm”.

Nearly any habit can be scaled down to this 2-minute version.

As for Jimmy the wanna-be writer:

  • His goal to “Write a novel” could be transformed into “Write one sentence a day.”
  • Likewise, for anyone who wants to start reading seriously, it could be rephrased as: “Read one page daily”.

Wrapping Up

A few things to remember:

  • Procrastination isn’t always harmful. It can be beneficial when managed effectively.
  • A slight tweak in mindset and planting new habits can morph procrastination into a stepping stone for self-growth.
  • Seek support from a friend, or mentor. Disclosure: I have 2 close friends who keep me accountable weekly for my own well-being. 😅

Further Action

Check out The Pomodoro Technique. It is a well-established and proven tool for overcoming procrastination and improving one’s focus.

It teaches you to:

  • Identify a task or tasks that need to be completed.
  • Set a timer for 25 minutes.
  • Work on a task with no distractions.
  • When the alarm sounds, take a 5-minute break.
  • Repeat the process 3 more times.
  • Take a longer 30-minute break and start again.

Recommended Reading

Atomic Habits — Tiny Changes, Remarkable Results by James Clear

The Power of Zero Expectations — 7 Steps to Freedom from Disappointment by Frances Ku

Trivia

By the way, I did complete the laundry task that rainy day — which took a load off of my mind. 🙄

Get this funny meme T-shirt for the procrastinator you know!

https://amzn.to/45KcjWh

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Jude Manickam
Jude Manickam

Written by Jude Manickam

🌱 Blogger exploring self-development, AI, entrepreneurship, and health & wellness since the early days. Join me on this journey of insights and inspiration!

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