We can all think of times when we’ve trudged aimlessly into the dining hall or trolled Facebook simply to avoid the menial task of homework. Throughout the course of our lives, there are those occasions where it seems all we’re looking for is a way to put off the inevitable.

By definition, a procrastinator is someone who “delays or postpones actions.” However, it has always been a particularly confusing phenomenon at which some people excel, while others fall by the wayside, even though they both leave their work until the last minute.

A new CNN Living article suggests that perhaps those who excel aren’t really procrastinating at all.

According to Robert Biswas-Diener, programme director for education and learning at the UK’s Centre of Applied Positive Psychology, and publisher of the article, there are some who procrastinate because it is essential to their work.

Biswas-Diener explains that although many who are afflicted by the above descriptions are indeed procrastinators, there exists a rarer and more gifted breed of people, whom he refers to as “incubators.”

“Procrastinators may have a habit of putting off important work. When they do complete projects, the quality might be mediocre as a result of their lack of engagement or inability to work well under pressure,” Biswas-Diener wrote. “Incubators tend to be bright, creative people with an amazing gift to work hard under pressure. As such, they can be very dependable in work situations that require last-minute changes or tight deadlines.”

Professor Christopher Bishop, a Binghamton University assistant professor of psychology who specializes in learning, believes that procrastination is triggered by life experiences.

“Procrastination is all about your cognitive mindset,” Bishop said. “If in your experience working hard got good results, you would be more likely to push yourself to work in the future.”

On the outside, procrastinators and incubators may look the same; both use the pressure of a deadline as a catalyst to launch into their work. While the differences may seem trivial, they are in fact a key to this psychological enigma.

Professor Bishop admits that Biswas-Diener may have a point with his incubator idea, but that a procrastinator can also be an incubator, depending on the task.

“From my own experience procrastination stems from active avoidance. But, when I have a task that I am aware needs to be completed I let my mind think about it, although I do not write anything down,” explained Bishop.

Regardless of whether you view procrastination as a cognitive mindset or as a type of work method with a negative connotation, you realize that active avoidance is very different than marinating. You may assume that you’re lazy when, in reality, your mind is subconsciously working to provide you with perfection as your deadline looms closer.

Also, both procrastinators and incubators are very difficult to work with. In a group setting, they may get frustrated with their inability to get work done without the stress factor to motivate them.

While Biswas-Diener may believe that there is a vast difference between a procrastinator and an incubator, some disagree as to where he draws the fine line.

Sharon Benzaquen, an undeclared freshman, believes procrastinators are just what society views them to be.

“These procrastinators may be smarter than others, but the only thing that makes them actually accomplish their task is a drive, motivated by stress,” Benzaquen says.