All procrastination is delay, but not all delay is procrastination.
I think many people confuse delay with procrastination. Delay is a daily occurence in our lives. It's necessary in fact as we optimize our plans into action. We delay one task, at least momentarily, while we complete another more important or urgent task.
Delay can also be important for safety. A plane is delayed while an irregularity is checked out. A drive is delayed because of a bad winter storm.
Of course a delay can be wise. A confrontation is delayed while you check for additional information. Writing is delayed while you seek out relevant information and gather your thoughts. And, in my case, my research-related blog posting is delayed while I take a much needed vacation (we're off on a wilderness canoe trip today - the first for our (almost) 2-year-old son and 4-year-old daughter - the promise of adventure!).
Procrastination is the irrational delay of an intended action despite the knowledge that we will probably be worse off for the delay in terms of performance and/or our feelings. Procrastination doesn't have a "good side." It's a needless, unnecessary delay that may, by chance alone, at times in our lives "pay off," but that is the exception, not the rule.
Procrastination is a failure of our ability to self-regulate.
Delay is part of our successful self-regulation.
Knowing this difference can make all the difference in our lives.
About the picture in this blog entry
The image of the Prospector canoe that I have included for this blog entry is a copy of a painting by the late Bill Mason, Canadian legend of canoeing, and father of Paul (and Becky) Mason. Paul, like his father, is an artist and canoeing expert. He is also my partner in the cartoon strip for procrastination.ca. The Mason family has contributed an incredible amount to canoeing through their books, films, art and on-water work. You can learn more about the Mason family at redcanoes.
