Blogpost 2: WHY do we Procrastinate?

Procrastination; we humans procrastinate in everything we do even in the littlest ways possible, it's inevitable but why? Regarding the word 'Why' I've looked up, searched high and low for the possible answers. I included my experience and a bit of my knowledge to answer this question. People procrastinate we know that but are there specific reasons to why people tend to procrastinate in any way imaginable?

I came across an article entitled "Putting it off: Why do we procrastinate?", which was written by Amy Reichelt. Where she says that procrastination is just the practice of carrying out less urgent tasks in preference to urgent ones or doing things you enjoy first instead of working right on the task; thus results on the delay of the impending jobs. Now the article states that and I quote, "When deadlines loom, mundane tasks suddenly become more appealing – tidying your office area as opposed to writing a report, or cleaning the car instead of revising for an exam."

Which is quite true for most of us because as my previous blog: "What is procrastination?" has stated; our limbic system is in charge of our pleasure zone which automatically activates when you feel bored or out of it when doing tasks that are not enjoyable which isn't really out of the norm now is it?

We procrastinate because we think we're incompetent and that we lack skills in a specific field that will require us to finish a task. But that's just it, those are just excuses we give ourselves to put off the things we need to do. What will come out of that? You'd just have a ton load of work to do later on.

People procrastinate, yes I know but isn't it just a state of mind to procrastinate and to not procrastinate? I guess it all comes down to how you feel and see about the task that is in front of you.

Procrastination as we know it is part of our daily lives and there are quite a few reasons why we procrastinate. According to an article by Halvor Gregusson called, "7 Surprising Reasons You Procrastinate", procrastination might have had come from our childhood, where it functioned as a sort of rebellion against strict parents or as a way to disobey our responsibilities even for a moment's notice. Procrastinators are trained from birth… to some extent.  That’s the gist of psychological research into the art of stalling. Are we programmed for postponement and delay?

• Lack of motivation
• Lack of time
• Fear
• Laziness

Some of the symptoms of procrastination that always occurs on a daily basis. People face these symptoms everyday in their lives, wherever or whenever it's inevitable. The article says that being overwhelmed is also a reason to why we procrastinate so we should really organize our thoughts and things before doing anything that'll lead to stress and eventually lead to procrastinating a task.

The article states that and I quote; "According to an article in Psychology Today, 20 percent of people chronically avoid putting their nose to the grindstone and actively look for distractions!  That seems incredible in a society that values efficiency and “multitasking” ."

Now I may be one of the people that make up that 20 percent but I don't really give a damn. That's how I am and will probably still will be in the coming years. Multitasking is only efficient if you know how to handle your priorities well and if you haven't got time left to individually work on a task but multitasking always leads to procrastination one way or another.

You have to be in the mood before doing anything and that applies to everyone. Every one of us has a specific preference on how their work should be done and how fast; in other words it depends on the person's personality and how they put the task in front of them as a priority or just a measly thing that they need to finish.

Blogpost 1: WHAT is Procrastination?

Man today
 

Our general idea of procrastination is "The action of delaying something" might be because we're lazy and just want to laze about all day and not finish any work.  Procrastination is an infamous act most people generally the teenage youth is familiar about. They tend to procrastinate when they feel stressed about University or maybe their relationships and what not. It's an act of escape from reality and responsibilities.

I read an article that was included in the Self-Help Leaflets by the Students of The University of Cambridge; “What is Procrastination?” Where they say that we often preoccupy ourselves with something a bit more interesting and probably useful but not towards the subject that is required doing. Now the article states what Procrastination is and I quote, “The avoidance of doing a task which needs to be done – postponing until tomorrow what can be done today. Procrastination not only affects a person’s work, but also commonly involves feelings such as guilt, inadequacy, self-disgust, stress and depression.” Procrastination has it's pros and cons; affects a lot of things in a persons habit, his feelings and probably his self-worth too but it really depends on how you view things and how you get back on your feet with what load you carry on your back.

We know that all of us procrastinate in any way imaginable, it's a way to take a break or let loose the pent up stress you gain from working and or thinking about your welfare; be it for your family or for yourself.

We know procrastination is an infamous phenomenon; it's a regular occurrence or seldom for other people. According to an article by Amy Spencer called, "The Science behind Procrastination" , procrastination can be related to Charlie Brown's Seesaw Sensibility as a fight that is sparked between two parts of the mind when it’s faced with a distasteful activity: a battle of the limbic system and the prefrontal cortex; where as the limbic system is deeply connected to our pleasure and entertainment zone and the prefrontal cortex is associated with our  internal “planner” or the logical part of our brain.

Amy Spencer also stated and I quote, "The moment you’re not consciously engaged in a task, your limbic system takes over. You give in to what feels good—you procrastinate."

I going to have to agree with Amy, it's the truth. Being a procrastinator myself to me and presumably this also applies to a lot of people when they face tasks that don't interest them and provide little entertainment. Taking in that the limbic system is wired with our pleasure zone, once the brain feels bored on the given subject in front of you; distractions are every where just to keep you from doing work.

Putting Things Off: The Deeper Truth
Most studies about procrastination say that avoiding tasks has very little thing to with time management; your brain considers YOUR feelings and attention for the tasks that you will be doing.

• Are you interested?
• Are you confident in your skills?
• Do you like what you're doing?

Basic questions your brain asks and answers based on your feelings and attention span.
Considering I'm a person with a quick attention-span I ask myself these questions frequently mostly when in regards with school work.

According to David McRaney in his book entitled as  "You are Not so Smart." Procrastination is not just about time management it's also about how and what you choose that will lead to your next move. David McRaney said something about procrastination being that "The problem isn't that you're a bad manager of your time it is because you are a Bad Tactician in the war that is inside your brain"

As a fellow procrastinator I felt no link with this article for I actually manage my time well considering the statement above this; based on what interests me first before doing any work related things because if I don't do the things I like first, I wouldn't be able to concentrate on the work I will be doing. I guess it depends on the person and what personality they have.

 

Being Man, we try to avoid the inevitable and that results us to procrastinate and never get things done. It's not being able to decide to do anything and what way to do something; over complicating things for yourself, afraid to finish something and not knowing where to start or how to end it. We do things that intrigue us and bring us joy; unlike working but not as much as the other guy. People differ from each other, some find working on tasks enjoyable so they do those first and some do the opposite it just depends on who you are.
Procrastinating is inevitable but wasting time by doing the things you like and that brings joy to your being is not really wasting time now is it?