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By Rachel Lapidos for Well+Good
Regardless of how many pressing tasks we may have on our to-do list, we can (and do) always find time to lurk on social media (or whatever breed of distraction you prefer)--even if we have a zillion more important things we should be doing.
The good news? Procrastination can actually be good for you. According to an article in The Atlantic, there's such a thing as productive procrastinating (get excited).
The story points out that Charles Duhigg, author of The Power of Habit, classifies procrastination as a habit rather than a moral failing (which, if you're like me, is what you call it as you freak out over a last-minute assignment you have to do yet find yourself scrolling through Instagram).
Duhigg says procrastination involves a cue, a routine, and a reward. It goes something like this: An overflowing inbox (the cue) might lead you to think about checking social media (the routine)--and the idea of a refreshing cognitive break by checking your news feed seems like a reward. But the "cognitive break" often isn't all that refreshing--instead, it just wastes a lot of time. (So true.)
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The key to taking control of your procrastination is to notice "the routine" -- whatever automatic habit is your go-to -- and observe it while it's happening. If you start to notice when you whip out your phone or start typing facebook.com into your browser, you have a better chance of deciding to do something useful instead.
Since that's easier said than done, you can procrastinate better by setting what Duhigg calls an "implementation intention," where you write a list of other things you need to do that have nothing to do with the task at hand--for example, Marie Kondo-ing your apartment or calling your cable company. When you start getting the take-a-break itch, do things on that list. (And step away from the Snapchat...)
If you get used to this, you could become a "structured procrastinator": someone who procrastinates by doing actual work rather than Googling your crush, browsing Facebook, or keeping up with the Kardashians. Talk about #goals.
More Reading From Well+Good:
The Productivity Hack That Actually Makes Your Brain Feel Better
Why A "1-Hour Workday" Could Maximize Your Career
How To Get Ahead At Work--From Outside The Office
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