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Procrastination can be a form of active waiting from "summary" of The Art of Procrastination by John Perry

When we think of procrastination, the usual connotation is negative - a delay in completing tasks, putting things off until the last minute, and feeling guilty about not being productive. However, what if I told you that procrastination can actually be a form of active waiting? This may seem paradoxical at first, but upon closer examination, it actually makes a lot of sense. Imagine you have a deadline approaching, and instead of diving headfirst into the task at hand, you find yourself delaying the inevitable. You may start organizing your workspace, checking emails, or even doing chores around the house. While these activities may seem like distractions, they can actually serve a purpose. By engaging in these "productive" tasks, you are not just idly waiting for the deadline to come - you are actively preparing yourself for the task ahead. In the book "The Art of Procrastination," John Perry argues that procrastination can be a way of priming yourself for success. By allowing yourself to procrastinate, you are giving your mind the space it needs to subconsciously process the task at hand. This can lead to moments of clarity and inspiration that you may not have otherwise had if you had forced yourself to start working immediately. Furthermore, by engaging in other activities while procrastinating, you are actually creating a conducive environment for creativity to flourish. When you are not fixated on the task at hand, your mind is free to wander and make connections that it may not have made otherwise. This can lead to innovative ideas and solutions that can ultimately improve the quality of your work. So next time you find yourself procrastinating, instead of feeling guilty or beating yourself up about it, try to see it as a form of active waiting. Embrace the process and trust that your mind is working behind the scenes to help you succeed. Who knows, you may just surprise yourself with what you are able to accomplish when you give yourself the time and space to procrastinate.
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    The Art of Procrastination

    John Perry

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