Do you believe in the power of “now”? Procrastination is often viewed as a negative habit that interferes with productivity and efficiency. However, recent research suggests procrastination may have some positive benefits, particularly in creativity. Many highly creative individuals are known for their tendency to procrastinate.

So, what is the association between procrastination and creativity? Some researchers have suggested that procrastination allows individuals to engage in more divergent thinking, a key component of creativity. Divergent thinking involves generating various ideas and possibilities rather than just focusing on one solution. When individuals procrastinate, they may have more time to engage in this thinking since they are not rushing to complete a task.

Additionally, procrastination may allow individuals to engage in more creative problem-solving. When faced with a problem or task that needs to be completed, individuals may need to think outside the box to come up with a solution. By delaying the task, individuals may have more time to think about different approaches and ideas they might not have considered otherwise.
Furthermore, procrastination may allow individuals to engage in more incubation, a key part of the creative process. Incubation involves stepping away from a problem or task and subconsciously allowing the mind to wander and make connections. By procrastinating, individuals may give their minds more time to incubate and generate new ideas and insights.
However, it is important to note that not all forms of procrastination are beneficial for creativity. For example, if an individual is procrastinating due to anxiety or fear of failure, this can hinder creativity. Additionally, if an individual consistently misses deadlines or fails to complete tasks, this can negatively affect their work or personal life.

Furthermore, it is important to distinguish between productive and unproductive procrastination. Productive procrastination involves delaying a task to work on other important tasks or engaging in still-productive activities. For example, an artist may delay working on a specific artwork to work on other projects that inspire them. Unproductive procrastination, on the other hand, involves delaying a task to engage in activities that are not productive or beneficial. For example, an individual may spend hours scrolling through social media instead of completing a work project.

Overall, the association between procrastination and creativity is complex and multifaceted. While procrastination may have some benefits for creativity, it is important to distinguish between productive and unproductive forms of procrastination and to be mindful of the reasons behind why we procrastinate. By understanding the link between procrastination and creativity, we can work to harness the benefits of procrastination while also ensuring that it does not negatively impact our productivity or well-being.