Procrastination is a trap. A cozy yet regrettable one at that. We’re all guilty of it — putting off assignments until the last minute, slipping into daydreams while on deadline at work, ignoring important life-admin tasks — you know the drill.
Considering procrastination doesn’t generally end in satisfaction, it’s probably worth figuring out ways to make that time productive. Just because you’re technically wasting time doesn’t mean you need to waste time, if you know what I mean.
Unproductive procrastination is stuff like scrolling through IG or TikTok, snacking mindlessly or flicking through YouTube without actually settling on anything to watch. They’re not bad things at all, but if you’re looking to make your life more effective, here’s a couple of things you can do to maximise your time.
Make Money
We all want more money. Even Rihanna wants more money. So, find ways to make extra moolah while you procrastinate (it’s possible). You’ve got your basic options like posting your old stuff on Depop or Facebook Marketplace, where you’re guaranteed to reap the rewards of your efforts there. Then there’s tapping into the micro-investing sphere – read up on Dogecoin, crypto and all that jazz.
If you’re not into either of those options, suss out a service like OpinionWorld, where you’ll literally be paid for sharing your opinion. Basically, they get users to take quick, easy market research surveys in return for a gift card reward at well-known retailers like Woolworths, Myer, Priceline, Rebel Sport, Supercheap Auto and Harvey Norman. It’s free to join and accessible online, and you can also cash out through PayPal, making the whole process that much easier.
Apply for a job
There could be a real reason for your work procrastination. Are you burnt out? Are you tired as hell? Are you simply bored to death with your job? Does it cause you physical pain to action tasks?
Use your procrastination time to apply for other jobs. If you work at a desk job, it’s probably easier, considering you’ll be able to mask your sneakiness. If you’re writing a resume or cover letter, you can easily pop it into a blank email to make it look as though you’re simply drafting up a message to a coworker. If you’re in a non-desk job, there are ways around this too – for example, I would use my retail ‘toilet’ breaks back in the day to hand out my resume at other stores.
No one will suspect anything.
Work on your side hustle
Heaps of us have a side hustle of some form these days. If you’re procrastinating at work or while studying, use the time to develop and sink your teeth into your side hustle. This way, you can turn it into a full-time hustle that you’ll also procrastinate at one day. It’s the circle of life, baby.
Generally, people tend to be more emotionally invested in their side hustles because it’s something they dreamed up and steer the ship of. Whether it’s scheduling a few social posts or replying to emails, get it done within a block where you couldn’t possibly think of doing anything else.
Do the life admin tasks you’ve been putting off
Procrastinating life admin tasks like making doctors appointments, calling your grandmother or replying to your friend who messaged you three days ago can become a nasty cycle. I will admit I’m an awful culprit of this. So if you’re procrastinating while completing another life task (e.g. work, study), fill that time to do a life admin task you’ve been putting off.
Make a hair appointment, return that parcel so you actually get your refund back, unsubscribe from all your unwanted mailing lists – you future self will thank you.
