“What’s your biggest weakness?”
It’s the question you’ve heard at every interview and my answer is always: “I’m a huge procrastinator.”
Procrastination is something I’ve struggled with ever since I can remember. I wait until the last minute to do things, I create schedules I don’t abide by, I leave places with just enough time to get to where I need to be and, for that reason, I’m always fashionably late. I’m constantly scolded by everyone I know to get my seemingly uncontrollable life together, but I don’t think that procrastination is always a bad thing. Maybe I’m using it as an excuse to watch a few more episodes of “The Office,” but I’ll roll with it, and you should too.
1. Procrastinators have more fun.
Whether you want to hear it or not, it’s true. Procrastinators really do have more fun. Because homework doesn’t start until 3 a.m. the night before and that very important doctor’s appointment doesn’t get scheduled until the the day of, your daily schedule is freed for more more nights out and more time spent hanging out with friends.
2. Procrastinators get more done.
The same logic applies here. Putting off activities leaves room for things that are not only more fun, but also more productive. Procrastinators have time to do things others normally wouldn’t have time to do: clean their rooms, empty their email inboxes and keep up with the news.
3. Procrastinators have the best sleep schedules.
That chapter you have to read? It can wait. And, when things can wait, procrastinators get to catch some zzz's. Do non-procrastinators even know what an 11 p.m. bedtime feels like? Probably, not (it feels like heaven, BTW). Procrastinators have aced the ultimate sleeping routine. Until the next night comes around and, of course, bedtime gets pushed into the wee hours of the morning.
4. Procrastinators deliver a more effective apology.
Another reason why procrastinators are on the way to mastering a healthy lifestyle. According to Frank Partnoy, author of “Wait: The Art and Science of Delay,” waiting to make an apology gives the wronged party time to access the situation, time to realize that their feelings have been understood, and time to calm their emotions, which makes them more willing to accept it. So that one thing we hate to do? You can wait to do it.
5. Procrastinators make more informed decisions.
Putting off any decision leaves room for more time to weigh your options, play out scenarios and research. According to Partnoy, it’s something we’ve been doing for centuries and something that used to be highly regarded by Greeks and Romans. If that doesn’t convince you to continue thinking by sitting in your bed and staring at the wall, then I don’t know what will. We should all "do as the Romans do."
6. Procrastinators are more creative.
More time to think not only improves decision making skills, but also creativity. Let that DIY project collect dust, ignore that essay that needs to be outlined. Give yourself some time to think and brainstorm. There’s a reason why people say that their best work was done last minute.
