Procrastinate on Purpose

Success doesn’t come from doing everything; it comes from doing the right things.

1. Stop Complaining About Being Busy

Complaining about being busy doesn’t solve the problem. Instead, it wastes mental energy that could be used more productively. High performers, referred to as multipliers in Rory Vaden’s book, view their busy schedules as a result of their choices, not as burdens imposed upon them. They possess a mindset of ownership and responsibility.

Vaden learned from multipliers that they never use busyness as a badge of honor. Instead, they focus on their tasks without complaint or victimhood. Complaining distracts from solving the actual issue: managing responsibilities effectively. By accepting their commitments, multipliers maintain peace of mind and reduce stress.

The first step to better time management is recognizing that you are in control of how you spend your time. By taking responsibility for your commitments, you empower yourself to find solutions, prioritize effectively, and work toward being less overwhelmed.

Examples

• Research shows the average executive receives 116 emails daily, yet multipliers handle this without complaint.
• Rory Vaden realized his own complaints about busyness were driven by a false sense of importance.
• Multipliers believe stressing over responsibilities is a waste of energy better spent completing tasks.

2. Less Is More: Eliminate Unnecessary Tasks

Productivity does not lie in how many tasks you do but in how significant those tasks are. Multipliers focus on eliminating activities that don’t contribute to their goals. They understand that more tasks don’t equal more productivity.

Human nature often motivates people to seek fulfillment in trivial tasks, such as crossing items off a list, even when the tasks lack importance. To truly free time for essential responsibilities, start by identifying what you can remove from your current schedule. Time suckers like excessive television viewing or unnecessary meetings are good places to start.

Eliminating the unnecessary creates space for attention where it matters. By focusing on results instead of busywork, you can achieve more impactful outcomes. This systematic decluttering of activities is one of the most effective ways multipliers expand their valuable time.

Examples

• The typical American spends 34 hours watching TV a week, costing them years in wasted time.
• A survey found 47 percent of professionals blame meetings for wasting their days.
• Multipliers ask themselves which tasks genuinely contribute to their goals and cut the rest.

3. The Wealthy Invest in Time, Not Just Money

Adopting an investment mindset doesn’t only multiply wealth; it multiplies time. Multipliers evaluate whether a purchase might cost them missed opportunities for future gain. This long-term thinking applies to both money and time management.

For instance, automation is an excellent tool for saving time, yet many businesses hesitate to invest in it. Multipliers understand that time saved today, like money invested wisely, creates greater returns in the long run. By automating repetitive tasks, they open up more hours to dedicate to meaningful work.

Investing in automation, tools, or resources upfront may seem costly, but the compounded benefits of regained hours quickly outweigh the initial expense. It’s a mindset that transforms how time is understood and valued.

Examples

• A $5 coffee costs $35 over 30 years when considering compound interest and lost investment opportunities.
• Automating customer emails can save significant time otherwise spent on repetitive work.
• Companies that invest in tools for efficiency often see both time and financial gains.

4. Delegate to Free Your Hands and Mind

Delegating tasks effectively can save time and increase productivity. Many people hesitate to delegate because they doubt others’ abilities or think doing it themselves is faster. However, the 30x rule demonstrates the value of training others.

This rule advises you to spend 30 minutes training someone for every minute the task typically takes you. A five-minute daily task, for example, requires 150 minutes of training. While this may feel time-consuming at first, it can save 1,100 minutes annually.

Delegating also reduces mental load, allowing you to focus on higher-order priorities. By letting go and assigning work suited to others’ skills, you free yourself to excel in areas that truly matter.

Examples

• Training a team member to handle routine spreadsheets can save hours annually.
• Leaders free up time to strategize by delegating administrative work.
• Delegating household chores can create time for personal or professional growth.

5. Procrastinate with Purpose

Procrastination can sometimes save time if used strategically. Multipliers understand that waiting for the right moment can prevent doing unnecessary or futile work. Patience lets them adjust to changing circumstances.

For example, a business owner packing early for a customer order might waste time if the order changes later. Waiting ensures the task is done correctly the first time, avoiding rework. This disciplined delay is what sets multipliers apart from regular procrastinators.

Using procrastination wisely prevents wasted efforts in a fast-changing world. The key is not avoiding tasks but recognizing when waiting serves long-term efficiency.

Examples

• Farmers wait for optimal weather conditions before harvesting crops.
• Businesses that wait to finalize plans can adjust for market changes.
• A writer who gathers feedback before editing avoids unnecessary revisions.

6. Focus Entirely on Priorities

Multipliers give their most important tasks their undivided focus. By fully immersing themselves in one priority at a time, they maximize their output while minimizing distractions.

Research shows only a small number of people plan their weeks with a written schedule, but nearly all multipliers do. These detailed plans help them allocate time effectively. They also mentally commit to the task in front of them, avoiding the trap of multitasking.

This disciplined concentration allows multipliers to achieve high-quality results and ensures their priorities truly take precedence. The lesson is clear: focus on one thing at a time to do it better.

Examples

• A farmer prioritizes harvesting during the short window when crops are ripe.
• Multipliers use schedules to structure their weeks and avoid chaos.
• Concentrating fully on a single task reduces errors and improves efficiency.

7. Organizations Must Value Time as a Resource

Businesses lose millions annually due to wasted employee time. The average employee spends over two hours daily on unproductive activities. Companies need strategies to tackle time waste as aggressively as they handle budget management.

Organizations rarely monitor or audit time like they do finances. Implementing multiplier strategies—eliminating busywork, investing in automation, and focusing team priorities—can transform productivity.

A workplace culture that values every minute is more profitable and efficient. By treating time as a nonrenewable resource, businesses can optimize operations and lead their industries.

Examples

• American workers waste 2.09 hours daily, costing companies $10,396 annually per employee.
• Companies with streamlined, delegated tasks see a marked increase in output.
• Regular audits of employee time usage can reveal and solve inefficiencies.

8. Patience Leads to Better Decisions

Rushing often results in poor outcomes. Multipliers know that stepping back and waiting can produce better solutions. They are unafraid to let decisions mature until the perfect timing presents itself.

For instance, waiting gives room for more data, feedback, or external changes to inform better decisions. This patience is not laziness but deliberate planning. It prevents rushed mistakes and ensures execution is as impactful as possible.

Multipliers demonstrate that when done with intention, patience serves as a powerful tool for better productivity and results.

Examples

• A journalist waits for confirmation of facts before releasing a breaking story.
• A chef delays cooking a dish until all ingredients are fresh and available.
• An investor holds on to stocks for long-term growth instead of selling in panic.

9. Investing in Health Multiplies Lifetime

Good health supports better productivity and longevity. Multipliers view health not as a chore but as an investment in the time they’ll have available to achieve their goals over years or decades.

Regular exercise, nutritious eating, and mental well-being practices expand both your energy and your lifespan. Ignoring health today often leads to preventable problems that steal time in the future.

By taking care of themselves holistically, multipliers ensure they remain at their peak for years to come. Health investments today create a foundation for sustained success.

Examples

• Cooking daily keeps you fit and reduces dependence on processed foods.
• Exercising improves stamina, focus, and performance.
• Regular health check-ups catch issues early, avoiding future complications.

Takeaways

1. Review your daily tasks to identify what you can eliminate, automate, or delegate to save time.
2. Create a detailed weekly schedule and fully commit to one priority at a time for greater focus.
3. Treat health as an investment in your future time and energy by cooking real food and exercising regularly.