Procrastination - A Short Film

There are many different types of writers; the grammatically superior method my father employs in his office work vastly differs from the emotionally charged approach my mother takes. We each have our own subtle habits, our proper compétence to get from point A to point B when it comes to writing. Out of all the different writers; the researcher, the word counter, the artist, the teacher; I am the procrastinator.

I don’t believe I’d venture so far as to say we’ve all been the procrastinator before at one time or another. Time and time again I fall into this archetype; even now as I hastily write this essay in my room.

A diagnosed procrastinator may have some things in common with others who struggle to write within an acceptable time frame. Procrastinators are masters of mental incubation. Because a writer who delays his writing to the very end has the least amount of time to write he also has the greatest time to allow his ideas to percolate and mature in the mind. Stepping away from a project for a time allows for some subconscious processing to occur in the brain, leading to more creative and insightful solutions. This break can lead to a renewed passion to create but also a fresh perspective on the topic at hand.

I suppose it goes without saying but procrastinators often thrive under pressure, not just for writing but in life. I found my younger self in the video, “Book Report,” struggling to make the 100 word count minimum. Back then, writing was among my least favorite activities right up there with cleaning the baseboards. I recall as a homeschooler in sixth grade I had procrastinated not one, but TWO essays til the due date. With my diminutive hands, I carefully crafted two essays duly earning A’s for my efforts. Such writers flourish under a good deadlines pressure and take advantage of the boost in productivity one gains while the clock is ticking.
While there are many pros that can be found among the procrastinator, their merit proves unconventional and any positive effects are often outweighed by the negative. For one, continually putting off work til the end can become a precedent for the rest of your life. This can lead to a lack of motivation in other areas such as work, school and even your relationships. Promises become harder to keep as your self-discipline steadily declines. It becomes easier to fall into the same traps with instant gratification such as checking your phone or watching TV instead of working on important tasks.

Those who lean towards leaving all the work towards the end may experience a level of perfectionism in their work and life. For me personally, drawing is something I do both as a hobby and for work; I would be lying if I said I haven’t developed some irrational expectations of my work being perfect. This unrealistic goal has caused me to miss out on multiple commissions, several personal projects and rare opportunities. Striving for perfection can be a double-edged sword, while it can lead to a level of professionalism I strive for in my work, it can also lead to potential abandonment among certain projects and procrastination.
Overall, I believe the adverse effects of procrastination prove to be substantial. Lack of motivation and self-discipline is something to be worked at overtime and continual neglect to foster healthy writing habits may result in inconsistent productivity and a catastrophic workflow. Consequently, leaving my written tasks towards the end has almost always held negative effects producing lower-quality material, incomplete ideas and leaving little time to edit or refine potential errors. In conclusion, whether you enjoy planning your essays with pages of outlines