Why Procrastination Isn’t “Bad”

Why Procrastination Isn’t “Bad”

We’ve all been there – knowing that we need to finish that important presentation while somehow finding ourselves searching for that perfect Spotify playlist for the third time this week. If procrastination was an Olympic sport, I know I might have more than a few medals hanging around.

As we know, the way we think creates our experience moment by moment. When we think “This task is overwhelming” or “I’m not ready yet,” or “I’m such a procrastinator,” those thoughts feel absolutely real in that moment.

The beautiful part? Thought can change in an instant, just like it always does when the deadline looms close enough. I know I spring into action when the rubber meets the road. The only thing that has changed in those moments is my thinking. Suddenly, my thinking shifts, and, to borrow Nike’s slogan, I just do it.

This means we don’t need a complex productivity system or another app promising to revolutionize our workflow. Sometimes the best strategy is simply recognizing that our resistance to a task is just temporary thinking, not a permanent character flaw. When we see procrastination for what it really is – just thoughts passing through – we often find ourselves naturally moving into action.

So the next time you catch yourself alphabetizing your email inbox instead of tackling that quarterly report, take a breath and remember: you’re just having thoughts about the task, not experiencing an unchangeable reality. Fresh thinking is always just around the corner, and with it, the natural motivation to get things done.

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a newsletter to finish…right after I check whether my shoe collection needs reorganizing.

Happy doing,

Nikki Platte