Adam Grant: Learn how to procrastinate wisely

Summary

The speaker, a self-proclaimed procrastinator, explores the unexpected benefits of delaying tasks for enhancing creativity. Contrary to immediate action, which can lead to tunnel vision, procrastination allows the mind to incubate ideas, fostering unexpected connections and leaps in thought. The speaker cites a student's research indicating a link between moderate procrastination and increased originality and creativity, suggesting a 'sweet spot' for harnessing the power of delayed action without the stress of last-minute rushes.

Takeaways

• 🤔 Procrastination is often viewed as a negative trait, but it can also be a virtue when it comes to fostering creativity and originality.
• 🏃‍♂️ The speaker, contrary to being a procrastinator, has always felt an urgent need to complete tasks as soon as possible, which they initially believed was efficient.
• 📧 The immediate response to tasks like emails can create a sense of urgency and control, but it might not be conducive to innovative thinking.
• 🤓 When one jumps straight into a task, they may experience 'tunnel vision,' limiting their thought process to linear and obvious ideas.
• 🔄 Taking a step back and delaying the start of a task can allow for unexpected connections and leaps in thinking, which are crucial for creativity.
• 🎓 A student's research suggested that moderate procrastinators tend to be more original and creative compared to those who never procrastinate or always do.
• ⏳ There is a 'sweet spot' for procrastination where it can enhance divergent thinking and the ability to make nonlinear connections.
• 🚫 Waiting until the last minute to complete a task can lead to rushing and settling for the simplest, least creative ideas.
• 🧠 The incubation period, where the mind subconsciously works on a problem, can be a beneficial aspect of procrastination that leads to more innovative solutions.
• 🔄 The speaker advocates for a balanced approach to procrastination, where tasks are not immediately tackled but are allowed to simmer in the background of the mind.

Q & A

What is the speaker's general attitude towards procrastination?

The speaker initially considered procrastination as a vice but has come to believe that it can be a virtue under certain circumstances.

How does the speaker describe their own tendency towards tasks?

The speaker describes themselves as someone who feels a strong impulse to get things done as soon as possible, indicating they are not naturally inclined to procrastinate.

What does the speaker suggest can happen when one immediately addresses a task?

When one dives right into a task, they may experience tunnel vision, thinking in linear ways and only accessing the obvious and familiar ideas they initially started with.

What is the potential benefit of delaying the start of a task according to the speaker?

Delaying the start of a task can allow for unexpected connections between ideas, promoting leaps from one possibility to another, and fostering creativity.

What role does the speaker believe procrastination can play in the creative process?

The speaker believes procrastination can aid in divergent thinking, incubation, and the formation of nonlinear connections, which are essential for original ideas.

What evidence does the speaker provide to support the idea that procrastination can be beneficial?

The speaker cites a student's data suggesting that people who procrastinate to some extent are more original and creative than those who never procrastinate or always do.

What is the 'sweet spot' the speaker refers to in relation to procrastination?

The 'sweet spot' refers to a moderate level of procrastination that enhances creativity and divergent thinking without leading to the stress of last-minute completion of tasks.

How does the speaker feel about their own productivity?

The speaker feels that their immediate response to tasks is efficient and productive, but they acknowledge it may not be the best approach for generating original ideas.

What is the speaker's advice for someone who wants to be more creative?

The speaker advises taking a step back and delaying the start of a task to allow the mind to incubate and make unexpected connections.

What is the potential downside of procrastination as discussed in the script?

The potential downside of procrastination is that if one waits until the deadline, they may only have time to rush and complete the simplest idea, which does not foster creativity.

What does the speaker imply about the relationship between urgency and creativity?

The speaker implies that a sense of urgency can lead to tunnel vision and linear thinking, which may not be conducive to creativity and the generation of original ideas.