Procrastination: Reading Power Class

Procrastination : 

Procrastination “Procrastination is the thief of time.” -Edward Young (1683-1765) By: Brooke Johnson

Statistics : 

Statistics 95% of students procrastinate at least occasionally 50% procrastinate consistently (Lisa Zarick, 2009)

Procrastination is a disorder : 

Procrastination is a disorder Research done by R.L. Strub links procrastination to physical disorders and lesions in the brain, particularly in the frontal lobe- specifically the bilateral hemisphere in the globus pallidus. The prefrontal cortex (PFC) of the frontal lobe controls cognitive processes (your thought processes.) Because the PFC is of importance in the brain, a dysfunction can cause problems with organization, procrastination, judgment, attention span and distractibility. (Jenny Maryasis, 1994-2009)

2 Types of Procrastination : 

2 Types of Procrastination Behavioral: - Behavioral procrastination is equated with self-handicap - This self-handicap provides a means for further blame shifting - For example: A student doing poorly on an exam and using procrastination as an excuse. Decisional: - Decisional procrastination is the pattern of postponing a decision when dealing with conflicts and choices. - For example: A lot of people who lean toward decisional procrastination is because they are perfectionists; therefore, it takes them longer to make decisions. (Jenny Maryasis, 1994-2009)

Characteristics of Procrastination : 

Characteristics of Procrastination Optimistic about their ability to complete a task on a tight deadline. Low self-confidence I’m too busy (Always has something else they feel they need to do.) Stubbornness ( For example one might say, “Don’t think you can push me around. I will do it when I’m ready.”) Manipulation Coping with pressures (Feel pressured that other things are more important.) A Frustrated Victim (The procrastinator often feels like a victim: they cannot understand their behavior or why the cannot get work done like others.) (Student Academic Services:Procrastination, 2009)

Four simple reasons for Procrastination : 

Four simple reasons for Procrastination Difficult: the task seems too hard Time-consuming: task will take large blocks of time Lack of knowledge or skills: no one wants to make mistakes, so wait until you learn how before you start. Fears: everyone will know how you screwed up (Student Academic Services:Procrastination, 2009)

Four complex reasons for Procrastination : 

Four complex reasons for Procrastination Perfectionism: unrealistically high expectations or standards. Anger/Hostility: if we are unhappy with someone, it’ll often withhold our best efforts Low Frustration Tolerance: circumstances overwhelm us easily; we find situations radically intolerable and terribly unfair. Self- Downing: this happens when you continually minimize your own skills and abilities and express doubt about your ability to succeed. (Student Academic Services:Procrastination, 2009)

Ways to Overcome Procrastination : 

Ways to Overcome Procrastination Write down all your goals for the next day the previous night. Turn off all electronic devices and communication just use what you really need to accomplish your task, like paper, computer, etc… Set a schedule for all your work tasks and don’t stop until you have finished your tasks one by one. (Overcoming Procrastination, 2007)

Benefits of not Procrastinating : 

Benefits of not Procrastinating Allows you to be more organized - gives you more space to work Reduces Stress - allows you to sleep better - have a feeling of accomplishment - gives you more down time (Cheryl Walker, 2009)

Bibliography : 

Bibliography Overcoming Procrastination. Retrieved October 28, 2009, from http://www.causesofprocrastination.com Procrastination: Habit or Disorder. Retrieved October 28, 2009, from http://www.serendip.brynmawr.edu/bb/neuro/neuro2/web1/jmaryasis.html Student Academic Services: Procrastination. Retrieved October 28, 2009, from http://www.sas.calpoly.edu/asc/ssl/procrastionation.html Walker, Cheryl. (2009, August 16). Techniques to seize the day. Vol. 27 Issue 1198, p7-9. Retreived 10 November 2009 from California Job Journal. Zarick, Lisa J., and Robert Stonebarker. (2009, Fall). I’ll do it tomorrow. College Teaching, Vol. 57 Issue 4, p 211-215. Retrieved 29 October 2009 from Academic Search Premier.