The Unexpected Virtues of Delay

Procrastination is the art of keeping up with yesterday. — Don Marquis

We've all been there. The deadline is looming, and the task is straightforward, but we can't seem to get started. We delay, dawdle, and distract ourselves with anything but the task. This is procrastination, a typical human behaviour that is often seen as a negative trait. But what if I told you there's more to procrastination than meets the eye? And what if I told you that it's closely related to a concept called Akrasia? Let's dive in.

Akrasia, a term coined by ancient Greek philosophers, refers to the state of acting against one's better judgment. It's when we know what we should do for our good but do something else. Sounds familiar, right? That's because Akrasia is the philosophical cousin of procrastination. They both involve a disconnect between our intentions and our actions.

The Unexpected Benefits

Procrastination is my sin. It brings me naught but sorrow. I know that I should stop it. In fact, I will--tomorrow! — Gloria Pitzer

Procrastination and Akrasia often get a bad rap. They're seen as barriers to productivity and hurdles to overcome on the path to success. But here's a thought: what if they're not entirely wrong? What if, in some cases, they can be beneficial?

Consider this: procrastination can sometimes be a form of incubation. It gives our minds the space to mull over problems and develop creative solutions subconsciously. During these periods of delay, we often have our 'eureka' moments. As the acclaimed screenwriter Aaron Sorkin once said, "You call it procrastinating. I call it thinking."

Similarly, Akrasia can signal that we must reassess our goals and priorities. If we're consistently not doing what we think we should be doing, it may be time to question whether it's really what we want or need.

In the words of Jerry Seinfeld,?"Night Guy always screws Morning Guy. There's nothing Morning Guy can do. The only Morning Guy can do is try and oversleep often enough so that Day Guy loses his job and Night Guy has no money to go out anymore."?This humorous take on Akrasia highlights the internal conflict we often face between our present and future selves.

Finding Balance

So, next time you are procrastinating or experiencing Akrasia, don't be too hard on yourself. Take a step back and consider what these behaviours are trying to tell you. Are they providing you with the space to think creatively? Are they signalling that you need to reassess your goals?

Remember, as with most things in life. It's all about?balance. Too much procrastination or Akrasia can certainly be detrimental. But they can provide valuable insights and unexpected benefits in the right amounts.

Procrastination is the thief of time, collar him. — Charles Dickens

Yes, collar him, but let him steal a little time. You might be surprised at what he leaves behind in its place.