Procrastination is a much maligned attribute that I would not consider undesirable, contrary to the world view. It basically means putting off something intentionally or habitually. I would say that “intentionally” intrinsically is driven by some rationale and “habitually” is a consistency of behaviour brought about by ‘decision and action’ based on that rationale. The entrenched negativism towards procrastination could be probably to do with the relative time frames of different people in decision and action, whether in personal or professional lives. It is but natural for a person of speed to think poorly of a person of pause. The effect of either’s behaviour can only be felt in the future and the success or failure of either lead to either encomiums or censure of the procrastination which in turn makes it a virtue or a vice in peoples’ eyes.
I should confess that this attribute of procrastination is quite entrenched in me, but I would also say that I have had happier effects than unhappier ones as a result of this attribute, both on the professional and personal front. Unfazed by the inevitable pressure of deadlines for any decision and action, the quality of the final product and the beneficence of the execution has been far superior than I could have probably imagined. In very many cases of my speed of action, I have had to regret and rue. Pause is indeed welcome rather than speed.
To bring it alive, let me share a few experiences. During my growing up financially independent days in the 1980s, there was a galore of investment options and schemes. I was excited, unthinkingly I should say in hindsight, by the teak plantation and holiday timeshare investment schemes. Both had the investment potential in them on the face of it and I rushed into them based on the information leaflets, driven by immaturity and greed rather than doing my homework and mulling. In those days, there was no on-the-platter Google information to give you any insights or wisdom. Suffice it to say, I lost my investments completely. Contrastingly, in the case of public issues ( IPOs) and retail share investing ( in those days, except for UTI there were no mutual funds ), I devoted enough time and effort and researching the companies, their balance sheets, market share, potential, expansion plans, etc. before I invested in them. This ‘pause and pursue’ approach based on solid rationale, which pejoratively get termed as procrastination, has paid me richer and assured dividends, pun intended. So, has been my approach in my corporate and professional career of near 5 decades. Less to ruminate, more to celebrate, as I look back. On the flip side, some of my indulgences which turned into obsessions and consequent stress were due to the absence of this ‘pause and pursue’.
The corporate world is surfeit of failed expansions/acquisitions as a result of lack of ‘pause and pursue’ approach by irrationally and exuberantly giving into the so called ‘strike while the iron is hot’ mould, only to regret at leisure. Almost all of them have been due to the absence of doing a deep dive across the key metrics. Some notable examples are Time Warner and AOL (America Online), Daimler -Benz and Chrysler, Microsoft and Nokia, Google and Motorola. Closer home, we have the examples of, to name a few, Tata Steel – Corus, RCom and Aircel, Bharti Airtel and Zain, Tata Tele and DoCoMo. The reasons for these failures are aplenty, but it does point out to a hurry and burry and lack of adequate due diligence and long term thinking.
Take the case of Arjuna. At the crucial stage of the Kurukshetra battle, he hesitated and stalled, not being sure if he was doing the right or the wrong thing. It was certainly not because of cowardice, but more to do with the need for the war and its aftermath. It was at this instant that Krishna counselled him and imparted wisdom about life itself and how to approach it. If it were not for Arjuna pressing the ‘pause and pursue’ button at the crucial juncture, mankind probably would not have benefitted from Krishna’s pearls of wisdom in Bhagavat Gita, which makes for meaningful and mindful living. Rama could not have emerged victorious over the formidable Ravana, without pausing, planning and deep thinking before waging the war. It was about striking at the right time, neither before or belatedly, which ensured the victory.
The recent epidemic scourge in Covid saw different countries and different people reacting and responding differently. This was a case where both the basis of thought and the speed of action were necessary for an effective containment. Most are aware of countries and people who failed miserably in containing it because of unthoughtful actions and bravura and those who succeeded because of the ‘pause and pursue’ and cautiousness in approach.
While we can get into endless such examples, the key elements in life and living are prayatna (efforts), kaal (time) and daiva (God or Supreme or Cosmos). Nothing can be achieved without the right self-effort; nothing can be achieved before the right time and nothing can bear fruition without divine intervention.
In the course of my discussions with some smart and bright NxtGen in the corporate world, a differentiated insight that I got was that procrastination could be a good personal trait, but not necessarily good for the team. It did take me back to my own corporate times, both as an underling and as an upper echelon with markedly different perceptions and perspectives whilst at those levels. A nuanced observation indeed, but enough to want us to ruminate and come to our own conclusions – in any walk of life.
Aptly, it is the auspicious occasion of Makar Sankranti (Makar means Capricorn and Sankranti means the transition of the Sun to Capricorn in its journey to the northern hemisphere) and relates to the consequent change of weather. Makar Sankranti heralds the end of winter and the advent of spring. It marks the beginning of the harvest season when the new crops are worshipped and shared. The essence of the festival is captured in people wishing each other a good harvest – agriculturally and metaphorically. It is celebrated across India in various forms with a common thread sewing it together.
“Sow well, harvest bountifully” is the true spirit behind the “pause and pursue” way of life. Happy Makar Sankranti.
