I recently discovered that a tactic to get things done that I have used for some time is actually a recognised way of managing procrastination. I had always thought it was an unwise way to function because it relies on the continuation my own bad habits, and may therefore encourage me to indulge in them, rather than overcome them.
However, since reading Structured Procrastination by John Perry, I am somewhat reassured that I am not alone in using my own procrastination to get things done. Let me explain.
The theory of structured procrastination is based on the fact that procrastinators rarely do nothing. What procrastinators do is they do things that are less important, in order to keep themselves busy and avoid doing the most important task on their list – the one they should be doing. Based on this knowledge, many procrastinators create an artificial (but plausible) ‘most important’ task. If we can convince ourselves that that task is the thing we should be doing, we can then do the remaining tasks on the list, ostensibly as a way of avoiding the top one.
I have used this technique for years, without knowing that it had been named. I can tidy when I am supposed to be writing; I can write when I am supposed to be making a phone call; I can do research when I am supposed to be tidying up… I am still not convinced that in the long-term it is a great strategy, because it encourages rather than discourages procrastination.
About this, Perry said:
The observant reader may feel at this point that structured procrastination requires a certain amount of self-deception, since one is in effect constantly perpetrating a pyramid scheme on oneself. Exactly. One needs to be able to recognize and commit oneself to tasks with inflated importance and unreal deadlines, while making oneself feel that they are important and urgent. This is not a problem, because virtually all procrastinators have excellent self-deceptive skills also. And what could be more noble than using one character flaw to offset the bad effects of another?
And while I still have some doubts about this as an overall strategy, as a means of actually getting things done it is undeniably effective and useful.
(Photo Credit: Rob and Stephanie Levy)
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