The Advantages of Procrastination

In all my 15 years, I have thought procrastination to be a bad trait. When I delay or postpone something (like this assignment) it always gets me nervous, but, when I am rushed it helps me think more clearly. It seems like I am completing assignments and doing homework the day before the deadline. I think about doing them earlier but it is never on the top of my priority list. My father urges me every day to get my homework done sooner so I don’t have to worry about it later. I am writing this paper the day before it is due, and this I believe: Procrastination is not a terrible thing like I have thought it is.

Don’t get me wrong, procrastinating is not the greatest thing to do, but it isn’t the worst. I do procrastinate a lot, but I always get it done in the end. It is better to procrastinate, rather then not doing it at all.

Don Marquis once said, “Procrastination is the art of keeping up with yesterday.” When I hold off on an assignment, and decide not to do it, then it gives me immediate relief. I just forget about it and relax for a while. That clears my head, and when I really need to work on it, I am well rested. When I decide to work on an assignment early, I end up wasting hours of my time because I am not disciplined to get it done. I usually end up getting a low grade and I feel really stressed.

When an assignment or paper is due the next day, and I only have a allotted time to complete it, then the rate I work at increases by a lot. Also, I get many new ideas by doing nothing. For instance, I come up with the cleverest ideas when I am standing in the shower, just thinking about different topics. I thought of this topic by ironically, doing nothing and procrastinating. I know that procrastination seems like it is a horrible thing, but it has its advantages. This, I believe.