Procrastination is an old friend of mine. I used to be the kid who did their projects at the last minute. 

As an adult, I’ve chosen work where there are no long term projects, just tasks that need to be done this very moment. I put out a lot of fires at my job, but I rather that than watching a pot of water boil. 

And then there’s writing. 

Probably the definition of a long term project, writing a novel has been challenging for me. Finishing one has been impossible. But I’ve recently found a tool that I think will push me over the finish line. 

Positive Procrastination. 

Specifically, something called productive procrastination, which is where you put off an aversive task by doing a less aversive one. So, for example, I tell myself I have two options: laundry, or a writing sprint. 

I usually pick the writing sprint. 

The tricky part is that eventually both tasks need to be done. So far I’ve managed this – eventually I get tired enough of writing that I’ll take a break to do laundry – but it is something to watch out for. 

In any case, this strategy has doubled my daily word count and helped me write more consistently. The key, I think, is being intentional about it. 

So have you ever tried positive procrastination? How was your experience with it?