A Last Minute Lesson in Procrastination

I am a procrastinator, but I rarely miss deadlines. For me, it’s the last-minute urgency that sparks focus and motivates me to power through. However, if I’m being honest, this habit can sometimes backfire. Case in point: our family holiday cards this year.

After receiving a few early cards from friends far more organized than me, I jumped onto Snapfish on December 11 to create and order our cards. With delivery scheduled for December 17, I thought we’d have plenty of time to get them out before the holidays. What I didn’t account for was a missing package and the need for a re-order, which delayed delivery until December 23.

So, our cards are going to be a bit late this year. But on the bright side, this experience inspired a blog post about procrastination—so there’s that. ??

If you’re a procrastinator like me, or know someone who is, here are a few tips for navigating procrastination successfully:

1. Be aware of your dependencies. Procrastination can work when you’re the only one involved. But when others are part of the process—whether it’s colleagues, clients, or the U.S. Postal Service—you’ll want to factor in some extra time to account for delays.

2. Recognize the impact on others. This is especially important at work. Colleagues and clients may rely on you, and delays on your end can cause a domino effect, leading to missed deadlines or less time for others to complete their work. Fortunately, in the case of our holiday cards, the stakes were low—but that’s not always the case.

3. Plan for procrastination. Procrastination is essentially prioritizing by due date. If you have multiple deadlines converging, you’ll need a plan to manage them effectively. Otherwise, you’re setting yourself up for long, stressful days. Even procrastination requires good planning.

4. Take responsibility. Procrastination is a choice. If something unexpected happens—like getting sick or facing a last-minute emergency—it can’t be an excuse for missing deadlines. You must own the decision to procrastinate and the consequences that come with it.

5. Know when procrastination isn’t an option. Some tasks or projects simply can’t afford delays. When the stakes are too high, or when ample time is needed to refine ideas or deliverables, procrastination isn’t viable. Plan accordingly in these cases.

While many might argue that procrastination is a bad habit, I believe it can be an effective strategy in the right circumstances. The key is understanding the risks and planning for them—both for yourself and for those who depend on you.

As always, if this message resonates with you, feel free to share it with someone who might benefit. And if you have any thoughts or reflections, I’d love to hear them here.