Procrastination is Creativity's Evil Twin

Musings

Procrastination is a common problem that many people face, especially when it comes to creative tasks. It's easy to put off starting a project or to get sidetracked by other tasks, but the truth is that procrastination can be a major obstacle to creativity. In fact, procrastination and creativity are often seen as opposing forces, with one hindering the other. But is this really the case?

Photo by Radoslav Bali on Unsplash

Not a Sign Of Lack of Motivation

Many people believe that procrastination is a sign of laziness or lack of motivation. However, this is not always the case. In fact, some researchers suggest that procrastination may actually be a way of coping with the anxiety and uncertainty that comes with creative tasks. When faced with a challenging or unfamiliar task, it's natural to feel apprehensive or overwhelmed. Procrastination can be a way of avoiding these feelings and delaying the discomfort.

We Miss Out

However, while procrastination may provide temporary relief from anxiety, it can also prevent us from fully engaging with our creative work. When we put off starting a project or delay making decisions, we miss out on opportunities to explore new ideas and to make progress towards our goals. Procrastination can also lead to rushed, last-minute work that is of lower quality than if we had taken the time to work on it consistently over a longer period of time.

Natural part of creative process

So how can we overcome procrastination and cultivate our creativity? One approach is to recognize that procrastination is a natural part of the creative process. Instead of viewing it as a negative force, we can embrace it as a sign that we are engaging with our work in a meaningful way.

Break down tasks into smaller, more manageable lists.

We can also try to break down our creative tasks into smaller, more manageable steps. By setting achievable goals and working on them consistently, we can make progress towards our larger goals while also reducing the anxiety and uncertainty that can lead to procrastination.

Supportive Circle

Another strategy is to create a supportive environment for our creative work. This may involve setting aside dedicated time and space for creative activities, or seeking out the support of a community of like-minded individuals.

By surrounding ourselves with people who understand the challenges of creative work, we can find motivation and inspiration to overcome procrastination and pursue our creative passions.

While procrastination may seem like creativity's evil twin, it doesn't have to be. By recognizing procrastination as a natural part of the creative process and taking steps to overcome it, we can harness our creative energy and produce work that is both meaningful and fulfilling.

So the next time you find yourself procrastinating, remember that you are not alone and that there are steps you can take to overcome this common obstacle to creativity.