11 Chapter 9 B: “P” Word
“Procrastination is the thief of time.”
-Charles Dickens
Following the introduction to time management (self-management) and procrastination, this chapter provides a deeper dive into understanding procrastination and finding solutions for it.
Tim Urban’s Ted Talk shines a light on procrastination.
Video: Inside the Mind of a Master Procrastinator, Tim Urban TED Talk
Complete the exercise below to help you solve what is arguably the number one detriment to effective learning at school, home, and/or on the job (aka procrastination).
- usually
- sometimes
- rarely
- never
2. I am disorganized when it comes to getting my assignments and/or work done.
- usually
- sometimes
- rarely
- never
3. I get confused about what I am supposed to do for the assignment or task.
- usually
- sometimes
- rarely
- never
4. I have a hard time saying “no” to others which puts me behind in my work/studies.
- most of the time
- sometimes
- rarely
- never
5. I have this sinking feeling that I will succumb to the usual reasons for procrastinating, no matter what they are.
- most of the time
- sometimes
- rarely
- never
6. I just don’t think I have the organizational abilities to be able to stop at least some of my procrastinating.
- most of the time
- sometimes
- rarely
- never
7. When I was in high school it wasn’t a problem studying for most tests the night before.
- most of the time
- sometimes
- rarely
- never
8. I work best under pressure, so I think that procrastinating is really good for me.
- most of the time
- sometimes
- rarely
- never
9. When what I have to study or accomplish is just not that important to me, I find it more tempting to procrastinate.
- most of the time
- sometimes
- rarely
- never
10. I have a hard time talking myself into maintaining a better attitude about not procrastinating.
- most of the time
- sometimes
- rarely
- never
11. I think I have more time to finish something than I usually do.
- most of the time
- sometimes
- rarely
- never
12. It annoys me that some instructors assign so much homework when I have a life outside of school, too! So, I believe that it can be their fault that I have to procrastinate on certain things.
- most of the time
- sometimes
- rarely
- never
13. I am very social and spending time with my friends sometimes gets in the way of doing my work.
- most of the time
- sometimes
- rarely
- never
14. I can’t seem to stay away from social media.
- most of the time
- sometimes
- rarely
- never
15. Here is something (or perhaps more than one) not on this list that also causes me to procrastinate. (Possible issues might include a disability or some kind of learning challenge, homelessness or some other kind of living situation challenge, pregnancy, work hours and responsibilities, and/or personal life stress.)
_______________________________________________________________
- most of the time
- sometimes
- rarely
- never
As promised above, let’s get started with some immediate solutions as well as so