Procrastinate Like a Pro: 8 Pros of Procrastination

Procrastination

You tell me to wait.

I take your bait.

You say, “Go have fun!”

Logic says, “Get things done!”

Deadline draws near.

You disappear.

Blessing in disguise;

Or plotting my demise?

Which one will it be?

Guess I’ll wait and see.

I Put the Pro in Procrastination

Notice I did not include any cons of procrastination. I have heard them my entire life. If you want cons, Google them. In typical text book Toya procrastinator like fashion I began working on this post and fell asleep. I woke up minutes before midnight and clicked “publish.” My little sister taunted me on my Facebook wall with this message. I often joke about having a sleep ministry. Tonight, instead of writing I was doing the work of the Lord, laboring to enter into His rest. God gives His beloved sweet sleep and that is exactly what He gave me tonight, peace that surpasses all understanding.

Gotta love her she knows me well! 😄

The 8 Pros of Procrastination

1. Pressure helps you produce. Allow the stress of knowing you can not put your project off any longer, to help you produce quality work.
2. Embrace your process. As a kid I always seemed to focus better after recess. The sooner you give yourself permission to play, the faster you will be able to focus on the task at hand.
3. Be proactive. Set deadlines that are due before your actual deadline. Change times when you put events on your calendar so that you can allow yourself margin to procrastinate.
4. Maintain professionalism. No one can see your behind the scenes but you. If procrastination works for you then let it work for you. There is a proverb that states, “Only a fool utters all of his emotion.” Not everyone needs to know your creative process, it could damage your credibility. (Like I am probably doing right now.)
5. Provide the gift of presence. Give your full mental capacity while you are working with clients or coworkers. One of the advantages of putting things off until tomorrow is being able to thoroughly enjoy today. For all the time you spend not staying on task,  the least you can do is focus and be present in people’s presence.
6. Trust God’s provision and protection. He always shows up and shines. Trust that He will allow you to do the same. Be fearless in the face of doubt, danger and delay. Allow procrastination to deepen your relationship with God.
7. See problems as a part of your process. If the printer doesn’t work, document doesn’t save or some crazy catastrophe takes place late in the midnight hour, don’t be dismayed. Work was never meant to be drudgery, allow dilemma to be your delight. You are use to performing under pressure, it is all a part of the adventure.
8. Keep calm and proceed with grace. Impromptu visitors or guests who arrive late are an opportunity to make something out of nothing or watch God redeem the time. Change your prayer from “Lord, just let me finish.” To, “Help me finish well.”

The Power of Procrastination

I wrote this under the power of procrastination. God knows I tried all day but words would not come. When I awoke moments before midnight, I felt the super power of panic kick in, the heavens opened up and words started to flow. Perhaps some day I will know what it is like to be fully prepared and work diligently and consistently towards a goal. Until that day comes I plan to do my best (which may not really be my best but is better than nothing at all) and trust God to do the rest.

Like a Pro

Are you a professional procrastinator? If so, share some of the Pros you have discovered in the comments below. Your insight can help others count it all joy and live free from condemnation. Let’s unite (on tomorrow) and encourage one another to cultivate contentment as we wait upon the Lord. How has patience had its perfect work in your experience with procrastination?

 

“My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials,  knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.”

James 1:2-4 (KJV)

“But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint”

(Isaiah 40:31 KJV)

 

Did you notice my Pro words in this post?