🌀 How to Procrastinate Productively

Hey there! Welcome back to The Flow by Flocus. If you’re new around here, welcome! 👋 You can catch up on our previous editions right here.

For this week’s edition: We're diving into the art of Productive Procrastination. Yes, it’s a thing, and it might just be the productivity hack you didn't know you needed. Let’s unpack it.

🌀 What’s Productive Procrastination?

Procrastination often gets a bad rap. But what if we told you there's a way to procrastinate productively?

Productive Procrastination is about strategically choosing to do lesser, but still important, tasks when avoiding a larger, more daunting task.

Instead of binge-watching a show or scrolling through social media, you choose tasks that are lower on your priority list but still contribute to your overall productivity.

Scroll on for the blueprint!

🗺️ How to Procrastinate Productively

👓 Reframe Your To-Dos

Rank your tasks not only by priority but also by the effort required. When you're avoiding a high effort task, switch to a lower effort yet meaningful task.

🚏 Pick Tasks Mindfully

Choose tasks that are different but complementary to your main goal for the day or week. For example, if you're avoiding writing a report, organize your research notes instead to get the ball rolling.

⏱️ Set Time Limits

Limit the time you spend on the alternative task. This prevents you from getting too comfortable and neglecting the primary task for too long.

🔋 Balance Energy Levels

Use your high-energy times for challenging tasks and low-energy times for simpler, more mechanical tasks.

🪞 Reflect on Progress

At the end of your day, acknowledge the work you did accomplish! Even if it wasn't your main task. This can boost morale and reduce the guilt of procrastination.

🧑‍🏫 Real Life Examples

🎒 School

Avoiding a study session? Organize your flashcards or craft the day’s study plan. You're still contributing to your main goal, just in a different, more manageable way.

🏢 Work

Dreading a big presentation? Work on clearing out your inbox or sorting your workspace. It's a productive shift that still contributes to a better work environment for reviewing your slides practicing the presentation shortly after.

🪅 Personal Projects

Putting off a major home renovation? Start with small decluttering, shortlisting a list of tools needed, or scroll Pinterest to collect inspo. You're still making progress towards improving your living space and will make the reno process easier.

🖥️ Whether you’re procrastinating productively or have found your groove, check out Flocus: our free, browser-based dashboard for focus and ambience — featuring aesthetic worlds, a custom Pomodoro timer, and lots more!

Sometimes, taking the scenic route can be just as effective in keeping your momentum up. If you’re a chronic procrastinator, try this modified approach to turn your avoidance into stepping stones.

Until next Sunday,
Flocus Team