How Procrastination Can Make You More Productive

You are probably reading this because the title feels counterintuitive.

After all, since childhood, we’ve been taught that procrastination is the thief of time – the dreaded habit our parents, teachers, and every self-help guru warned us against.

But here’s the thing: time theft is only half the story.

The other half is what we’re going to talk about in this post.

IS PROCRASTINATION REALLY BAD?

For one, procrastination is inherent to the human nature. No matter how disciplined or organized we try to be, we can never completely eliminate it. Why? Because there will always be more tasks than the time we have to accomplish them. So, procrastination isn't about if we’ll do it – it’s a question of when we'll do it and, most importantly, what we’ll choose to delay.

But if procrastination is so universal, why does it carry such a bad reputation? Who decided it was the villain in our pursuit of productivity?

The answer lies not in procrastination itself but in the CHOICES WE MAKE and how those choices are perceived by others.

Consider this scenario: Teddy, a tax consultant, has two tasks on his plate.

Task 1: Respond to a client’s urgent request for a call to address a sensitive issue (the call duration is unspecified).

Task 2: Attend a training session that might last two hours.

Teddy has two choices:

Choice 1: Take the client’s call first and join the training later, if time permits.

Choice 2: Attend the training and delay the client’s call.

No matter which path he takes, procrastination is at play – one task will have to wait for the other.

If Teddy chooses Choice 1, he is praised  by his boss for prioritizing business needs. Therefore, his decision to delay the training isn't tagged procrastination; rather, it is rebranded as TIME MANAGEMENT AND STRATEGIC PRIORITIZATION. Big quality, yeah?

On the other hand, if Teddy opts for Choice 2, he is criticized for neglecting business priorities, even if the training benefits his long-term growth. In this case, his boss doesn’t rebrand it as any other thing other than what it originally is – PROCRASTINATION.

The above analogy just goes to reveal a simple truth: procrastination itself isn’t bad. It is the outcome of what you procrastinate on that shapes perception.

HOW PROCRASTINATION CAN MAKE YOU MORE PRODUCTIVE

Building on the earlier point, we can safely conclude that the difference between high performers and low performers lies in what they choose to procrastinate on.

Over the years, I have come to realize that the reason many busy people rarely feel accomplished is because they engage in unconscious procrastination. They procrastinate without thinking about it. As a result, they unknowingly delay the high-impact tasks that could have significant long-term consequences in their lives and careers.

To become a high performer means you must shift your perspective and reframe procrastination as a strategic tool. You must be intentional about what you delay, postpone, or put off. Read that again.

Naturally, when you deliberately defer low-priority tasks, you free up time and mental energy for the activities that truly drive progress in your life and career. This shift in mindset therefore transforms procrastination from a "bad habit" into a productivity superpower.

But let’s be honest—deciding which tasks to prioritize and which to delay isn’t always straightforward, especially in high-pressure, fast-paced environments. To help with this, I recommend using a simple tool that helps clarify what should get your immediate attention and what can wait: the Eisenhower Matrix.

Basically, the Eisenhower Matrix helps you make this decision by dividing your tasks into four categories:

1. Urgent and Important (Do it now) – Tasks that require your immediate attention and are crucial for your success.
2. Not Urgent but Important (Schedule it) – Tasks that matter, but can be scheduled for later when you can give them proper focus.
3. Urgent but Not Important (Delegate it) – Tasks that demand quick attention but can be delegated to others or handled more efficiently.
4. Not Urgent and Not Important (Eliminate or Defer it) - Tasks that are neither time-sensitive nor important, and can often be avoided altogether.

At this point, I believe you can figure the rest out yourself.

You see, procrastination isn’t the villain we’ve been led to believe—it’s a powerful tool waiting to be harnessed. The truth is, every decision to delay something creates an opportunity to focus on something else. The question isn’t whether you procrastinate; it’s whether you procrastinate on the right things.

When you consciously delay tasks of lesser significance, you reclaim time, focus, and energy for what truly matters. You shift from being busy to being purposeful. You stop running in circles and start moving forward.

So, the next time you find yourself procrastinating, pause and ask: Am I procrastinating with intention or out of habit? Your answer could be the difference between mediocrity and greatness.

For what it’s worth, procrastination is only a thief of time if you let it steal from the wrong places.

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