I think that quote is much too broad with the modifier “might.” If you should procrastinate based on a possibility of improved odds, I doubt you would ever do anything. At least a reasonable degree of probability should be required.
Not to mention that the natural inclination of most people toward procrastination means that they should be distrustful of feelings that delaying will be beneficial; it’s entirely likely that they are misjudging how likely the improvement really is.
That’s not, of course, to say that we should always do everything as soon as possible, but I think that to the extent that we read the plain meaning from this quote, it’s significantly over-broad and not particularly helpful.
There’s also natural inclinations towards haste and impatience. (They probably mostly crop up around different things / in different people than procrastinatory urges, but the quote is not specific about what it is you could put off.)
I think that quote is much too broad with the modifier “might.” If you should procrastinate based on a possibility of improved odds, I doubt you would ever do anything. At least a reasonable degree of probability should be required.
Not to mention that the natural inclination of most people toward procrastination means that they should be distrustful of feelings that delaying will be beneficial; it’s entirely likely that they are misjudging how likely the improvement really is.
That’s not, of course, to say that we should always do everything as soon as possible, but I think that to the extent that we read the plain meaning from this quote, it’s significantly over-broad and not particularly helpful.
There’s also natural inclinations towards haste and impatience. (They probably mostly crop up around different things / in different people than procrastinatory urges, but the quote is not specific about what it is you could put off.)
That’s certainly a fair point.
I suppose it’s primarily important to know what your own inclinations are (and how they differ in different areas) and then try to adjust accordingly.
I’m reminded of the saying, “A weed is just a plant in the wrong place.” Different people require different improvements to their strategies.