I have this love-hate relationship with procrastination. Here’s the thing: I don’t like it for the reason that teachers tell you not to do it – it causes more stress because work piles up over time.

But… we all do it. Procrastination seems to be the one mistake from which we never learn. The world’s greatest people have procrastinated at one point or another – probably more often than not. Is it because we’re human? Because our brains are programmed to forget the pain we felt when attempting to write that forty-page paper the morning it was due?

I honestly can’t answer that question. I don’t know why we do it. But I can tell you something your teachers probably won’t ever mention:

Procrastination is beautiful.

Have you ever overslept? Woken up at 7:10 or 7:15… and miraculously made it out of the house by 7:20?

Well there’s the beauty I’m talking about. When you procrastinate, you discover that you have an ability (more like a magic power, really) to do things fast.

If I have an essay to write over the weekend, and I start it on Friday, I’m likely to spend all weekend writing that essay. But if I start Sunday night… hey, what do you know? I’m forced to finish it in a couple of hours. More importantly, I realize I have the ability to finish it in a couple of hours. It’s beautiful.

People at school do homework during lunch on the day it’s due.

Or they do it during other classes.

Or five minutes before class starts.

BUT WAIT. I am not advocating procrastination. Really. It’s not something you should do on a daily basis. I don’t necessarily admire procrastinators.

The people I admire are the ones who are efficient. The people who prioritize and figure out the best strategies for managing their time. They don’t wait until the last minute – but they also don’t spend too much time on one thing. This is the type of person I strive to be. Living a balanced life takes skill.

But even a balanced life is allowed a hint of procrastination, right? Just to keep us human. And just to show us what we’re truly capable of now and then.

At any rate, I guess I’d better get started on that math homework. 😛