There comes a time when procrastination is absolutely necessary.

1. When you're having a bad week.

2. When you're all out of ideas, and you can't fathom putting anything else down on paper.

3. When the very idea of completing something you've set out to do will actually make you shrivel up and die. You can die from overworking, right?

It's okay. I get it. We've all been there. Well, except for the people who haven't, but we're not talking about them. This is about you and your need to procrastinate.

But, are you taking the right steps to procrastinate?

Here is a very simple guide that will help you procrastinate in the most efficient way possible. Just follow this step-by-step approach, and you'll be procrastinating in no time.

Step One:

Always assure yourself that you have more time to complete the project. This is not wrong. It is called optimism. And studies show that optimistic people tend to lead healthier and happier lives.

Step two:

Tell yourself that you need to make up for some lost time; you have some very important things to catch up on. You know, like that whole season of your favorite show that you've put off watching because you were worrying about deadlines.

Step Three:

The deadline is looming ever closer, and you feel a temporary nag. That little voice that says, "You need to start something." It's always best to go for a run to clear your thoughts and get rid of that nag. You can also think of this as brainstorming. Freeing up your thoughts to consider how you might start the project. Don't worry, the voice will come back later. Go out and get some fresh air. The world needs you. Your work can wait.

NOTE: If necessary, accept offers from friends to go out, so you'll have someone else to help you take your mind off of it.

Step four:

By now, you're a day away from your deadline. You must complain and obsess about the deadline throughout your whole entire day. It is essential that this is the central topic of every conversation you have. It must invade every other thought that you have.

I think I should take a [I have a deadline] shower.

Did I forget to [I have a deadline] respond to that email?

Maybe I'll just [I have a deadline] go on Facebook.

This is not stress but very focused meditation: meditate on that deadline. But, don't start anything, yet.

When it gets late, around 11pm, you'll contemplate drinking coffee until your whole body becomes an earthquake. Do not do this. It's okay. The deadline can wait. Your health is more important.

Get to bed as quickly as possible and make plans to get up early in the morning.

Step five:

It's the day your deadline is due, and you wake up several times during the night from nightmares about sleeping in too late. Don't worry. You still have till the end of the day to get that project in.

However, panic does begin to set in, at this point in the process.

You must update your Facebook status: this will help you to feel like you've actually accomplished something and relieve some of that stress. Unless, of course, someone associated with the deadline is friends with you on Facebook. In this case, avoid Facebook at all costs it will only add to the overwhelming anxiety. Otherwise, Facebook is the best friend of the procrastinator.

An alternative to Facebook is Pinterest. What I like to call the procrastinator's friendly acquaintance: with every inspirational quote, you're one step closer to starting something, and you know you must start something at some point.

I never said you wouldn't have to do your work. Procrastination is just the proven way to more effectively waste your time doing things you want to do.

Step six:

You've somehow managed to complete your project, and, in your eyes, it couldn't be more of a dilapidated heap of rubbish. Unfortunately, you must either turn this in, or accept that you're going to miss your deadline. But you have a point to prove: that you can still complete tasks on time like the rest of the non-procrastinators.

Forget what I said about this being just about you. Because this is not just about you now. It's bigger than you. it's about procrastinators everywhere. You now have a moral obligation to stand up for the success and reputation of all procrastinators. But, with the seventh and final step, you will see there is a way to overcome all of the damage caused by procrastinating.

Step seven:

Get ready for it. Here it is: I'm going to give you the final step. Later. I'll give it to you later.