The Unveiled Virtues of Procrastination and the Beauty of Being Unfocused

“When you are in action, hesitation is the worst crime.” – Sadhguru

There was a time when I found myself mired in regret—especially for the days or even weeks when I failed to make headway on my New Year’s resolutions. This internal tumult persisted until I discovered the transformative powers of meditation and yoga, particularly Isha Kriya and Upa Yoga.

Meditation’s ability to anchor me in the present liberated me from the shackles of regret. I came to realize that all past actions—or karma—that led me to the current moment could serve as stepping stones for future growth. In this light, procrastination merely deferred tasks that, perhaps, didn’t hold intrinsic value. At the final juncture of life, what matters is not the to-do list you’ve conquered but the joy and happiness you’ve accrued. A day spent scrolling through your phone becomes less a wasted opportunity and more a moment that simply hasn’t revealed its significance yet. Whether you’re indulging in digital entertainment or snacking—those small doses of dopamine—they can be neither good nor bad in themselves; it’s all about how you integrate these experiences into your life’s tapestry.

My journey towards identifying a career focus—especially in the realm of research—was fraught with self-doubt and confusion. I delved into diverse fields, from Chemistry in undergrad to a stint in securities, from Precision Medicine in graduate school to my current PhD work in imaging and optics. Along the way, I discovered something counterintuitive: I wasn’t necessarily passionate about the technical minutiae in any of these domains. Whether it was synthesizing a new molecule, developing a groundbreaking neural network, or identifying a novel cancer pathway, my response was often subdued. It’s not that I was indifferent; rather, I lacked a visceral enthusiasm for these specific tasks. While I deeply respected the collective effort that has gone into these fields, I found myself yearning for a more holistic solution—a system-wide epiphany—instead of mere symptomatic relief, like a doctor prescribing ibuprofen for a persistent headache.

This led me to an enlightening realization: perhaps my so-called ‘procrastination’ or ‘lack of focus’ was not a failing, but rather an indicator that I hadn’t yet found my true calling. This notion echoes the wisdom shared in The Almanack of Naval Ravikant, which suggests that when you discover your natural talents, time ceases to be a factor—you engage with your work as effortlessly as playing a game. When I write, the words spring forth naturally, almost intuitively. While I’m certainly open to constructive criticism, neither negative comments nor slander can perturb me.

In embracing this perspective, you liberate yourself from the self-imposed pressure to be different. After all, you are inherently unique, and that is your superpower.

So, the next time you find yourself ‘procrastinating’ or being ‘unfocused,’ consider this: maybe you’re just waiting for the right moment or the right endeavor that speaks to your soul. And when that happens, you won’t just be living—you’ll be thriving.