The Best Ways to Procrastinate

The Best Ways to Procrastinate

Introduction

You know what's not productive? Getting things done. It's true! The best way to get things done is to never start them in the first place. But if you can't do that, procrastination is the next best thing. Let me explain:

Procrastinate by making sure you're ready to work.

• Make sure you have everything you need. If your goal is to get a good night’s sleep, then don’t stay up late watching Netflix.
• Plan ahead and make sure that your plan is realistic and achievable. Don't set yourself up for failure by setting unrealistic goals or deadlines.
• Get as much information about the project as possible before starting it so that there are no surprises down the road when things go wrong and it's too late to fix them (this is also known as "due diligence").
• Have all of the necessary tools at hand before starting on an important task or project—you don't want to be searching around in vain while time slips away!

Do something else that's productive.

If you want to procrastinate, do it right. Don't waste your time on pointless tasks that don't even begin to make a dent in your workload. Instead of staring at Reddit or Facebook all day, why not go for a run and clear your head? Or meditate for ten minutes if you're feeling stressed out? If you can't think of anything else productive to do—and believe me, sometimes this is hard—it's okay just to lie around on the couch and watch an episode of The Office while listening to some music.

Doing something productive in addition to procrastinating might sound counterintuitive but here's the thing: If you work on two things at once (say watching Netflix while folding laundry), then neither activity gets done very well. Think about how many times someone has told themselves they'll get into shape by doing their taxes instead of going for a run; instead of making progress towards their goal, they just wasted time trying unsuccessfully not to fall asleep while battling with TurboTax software (which I'm sure we can all agree is among life's most unenjoyable experiences).

Take a real break.

• Do something. You may be tempted to just sit there and do nothing. Don't do that! Take a walk, go for a run, or do some stretching.
• Don't just sit there and think about work all day long. Work is over, so why not take the opportunity to relax?
• Make sure you don't just sit there and eat all day long either—again: work is over! So have fun with your food (but not too much).
• And lastly: don't just sit there watching TV all day long, even if it's on in the background while you're doing other things (like eating).

Work on something less important or less daunting.

You can also try to work on something less important or less daunting. For example, if you have a huge project due tomorrow, then go and work on part of it now (but don't spend all night doing it). This way, you'll feel like you've done something positive—and at least you'll have made some progress toward your goal. Then when tomorrow comes around and your deadline is looming over your head again, the relief from having accomplished something will help keep the procrastination monster at bay!

Another great way to decrease the likelihood of procrastination? Set up blocks of time for focused work instead of working randomly throughout the day. Studies show that people who block off their work schedule tend to get more done than those who don't because they're able to stay focused longer without becoming distracted by other tasks or errands that need completing elsewhere in their lives (or social media notifications telling them about some new article being shared online).

Figure out which breaks are most effective for you.

Now that you know the benefits of taking breaks and have a few strategies to help you make good use of them, it's time to figure out what works best for you. There are plenty of ways to procrastinate—and so many ways not to!

My personal favorite method is the Pomodoro Technique: I set a timer for 25 minutes (no more, no less), focus on one task until it goes off, take a five-minute break, then start again. This way I get a little bit done every day without working myself into an early grave. If this isn't quite your style but you still need some structure in order to stay on task during work hours, try scheduling regular breaks into your calendar so that they can't be overlooked or skipped over.

There are other options besides just using technology as motivation; some people love getting away from the screen entirely. If your schedule allows for it (and if yours doesn't: talk with someone about changing things), go grab lunch with friends or take a long walk outside on your lunch hour instead of spending all 30 minutes eating at your desk with headphones in ears and eyes glued towards screens!

Get a change of scenery.

If you’re looking for a change of scenery, you might want to consider getting out of the house. It could be as simple as taking a walk around your neighborhood or going on an excursion further away. Either way, getting away from your computer screen will help clear your head and give you fresh ideas. If you can manage it, try searching for creative places in your area that haven't been discovered by others yet.

Work when you feel most motivated or most creative.

Procrastination is a fine line between being creative and being productive. When you feel like procrastinating, it is usually a good sign that you are motivated or creative. In other words, you might be more likely to produce good work if you create when you’re feeling most motivated or creative.

However, there are some things that can get in the way of this process:

• There's no time management plan in place (see the next section)
• You have too many ideas all at once (for example, if someone asks for help on something unrelated)
• Your environment isn't conducive for working well (like if your desk is messy or noisy)

As with any healthy habit—whether it's eating well or exercising—creative procrastination takes practice! But remember: don't put off getting started until tomorrow; start today!

Procrastination can actually be good for you if you do it the right way

Procrastination is not always a bad thing. It can help us get ready to work and help us get a change of scenery, which is good for our brains. When we are procrastinating, we should be working on things that will make us feel motivated or creative. For example, if you have something due at work but don't feel like doing it, don't sit at home watching Netflix; go to the library or coffee shop and read books instead!

Conclusion

We don’t mean to suggest that procrastination is a good thing. But we do want you to know that it can serve as a distraction, and sometimes that distraction is exactly what you need. So if you find yourself stuck on an assignment or project, try out one of these methods—the right one might help you get back on track with your