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Procrastination: A Deadly Habit I would like to introduce to you to a special someone. However, I have a feeling you might have already met him. His name is Procrastinator. Procrastinator is misunderstood, mistreated, and punished at times. Procrastinator is always thought to be the bad guy because he is a bad influence. On the other hand, Procrastinator has more to offer than dark circles and sleep deprivation. He teaches you a lesson about time management, responsibility, owning up to your actions, and many other values that you otherwise would not have learned on your own. There are no exceptions to anyone when it comes to procrastination. Even the greatest minds of the world have been interrupted in the middle of their work by a sudden urge to clean their rooms, do their taxes, or call up some relatives. In modern society, certain figures have become a symbol of laziness and procrastination. For example, Homer Simpson from the show The Simpsons, known for his portly figure and love for beer, is an ultimate example of what our vision of procrastination has become. So why exactly do we procrastinate? Many just assume that it roots from pure laziness. However, some believe every individual has a specific reason that causes one to procrastinate (Cal Poly). So, who procrastinates? How do we procrastinate? And how do different people view it? Procrastination is a natural process that everyone has to cope with. Most of peoples lives revolve around the definition of procrastination. For this reason, it is essential to understand what it is exactly and how to deal with it. According to dictionary.reference.com, procrastination is defined as to defer action; to delay; to put off till another day or time (Dictionary). Although it pinpoints the exact definition of procrastination, it seems like a very vague definition with no psychological basis to it. That is because the triggers behind procrastination are too complex and

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personal to be defined in a few words. Before starting the journey into the world of procrastination, let us look at some of the symptoms. Signs of procrastination include pulling all-nighters, rushing through homework in the morning, performing meaningless tasks, or simply no task at all. Professional procrastinators, when they are aware of the mountainous amount of work they have to complete, decide to simply enjoy the moment and pull an all-nighter thinking they have acquired immunity to it. Most of them regret this decision. Even skilled procrastinators reach a point during their all-nighters where the words on their paper look like little dancing ants. When one hits the dozing danger zone, he or she may make the mistake of taking a power nap, the biggest lie known to mankind. Even though in some cases one may wake up feeling refreshed, most of the times you just end up falling into a trap of eternal drowsiness. For example, just the other night, I realized I had more work to finish than I expected. However, I was enjoying my time on the television too much to really give a care. Instead, I simply decided stay up all night. The symptoms stated above are exactly how my night went. So, why exactly do people continuously fall into this trap even though they are fully aware of the consequences? In fact, there are many complex reasons to why a person may procrastinate. Few of the factors include lack of motivation, false hope and self assurance, and fear of failure. Everyone experiences a lack of motivation at some point. However, a person can wise up and get the work done. It is the complete opposite with a chronic procrastinator. A procrastinator does not believe in doing work that he or she does not find to be beneficial or a pleasure to do. They may have a mindset that anything that does not seem worth their time or disturbs their time of fun is not worthy of being completed. Another reason which may lead to procrastination is false hope and self-assurance. The procrastinator is so confident about their ability to complete the task in a short period of time that

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he or she ends up pushing it further and further away. Procrastinators have a system of belief that they only work better when under pressure, which in this case is a ticking clock. Procrastinators are not dumb. As a matter of fact, most of them are over the average intellect in certain areas. From past experience, our friend Procrastinator probably had several incidents of severe procrastination. He might have finished the assignment in the last second but in his opinion was low quality. The surprise is that he received a decent mark for it. Procrastinator is always complimented for his work even though it is a last-minute-put-together (Structured Procrastination). This replenishes his ego and belief that he is invincible and father time is nothing to fear. Therefore, the cycle is repeated and becomes a lethal habit. Another characteristic that exists between procrastinators is the fear of failure. Poor Procrastinator, even though filled with so much confidence in his intellectual ability, is overwhelmed by the high expectations placed upon him. He is so afraid that he might disappoint someone that he decides not do it at all. These types of procrastinators do not believe in the idea that something is better than nothing. Their idea is perfect or nothing (Good and Bad). Unless the work is done to their fullest potential and the procrastinator is fully satisfied with the result, he or she does not believe it is worth turning in. The shame, the looks, the idea of a teacher or boss asking them What happened to you? strikes so much fear in the procrastinators heart that it immobilizes them physically and mentally. So what kinds of procrastinators are there? Is it only students? The answer is no. Procrastination exists amongst all ages and genders. From my experience, it hits somewhere around fourth or fifth grade. Your general knowledge that was embedded in you from birth is starting to run out and become inadequate. You actually have to start using your brain. The first incident that I can remember was in my fifth grade math class. I did not do my math homework. My mentality was that school consumed more than half of my waking hours already and I was not

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going to let it take up anymore than that. My assignments were always partially completed and handed in unfinished. I knew that my parents and teacher would raise hell itself when I did this, but my mind would not waiver on this. Since I had been able to get through all of grade school without homework why should I have any now? Great reasoning for a fifth grader. As one matures and more responsibility is placed upon them, he or she becomes more prone to procrastination. In middle school, it is the simple reason that none of the grades received really matter in life. The middle school years may be perceived as the last time of ones that is really free from responsibilities, therefore does not matter. As a procrastinator enters high school, the pressure multiplies. Procrastinators are fully aware of the consequences of their actions yet it is so hard to get rid of old habits. A procrastinator will only do the amount of work that will get them a decent grade. However, there are exceptions. When a procrastinator is genuinely interested and consumed by a subject, he or she will put all the effort and time required to receive a perfect mark. Still, the procrastinator will sacrifice other assignments for this one project. The procrastinator will try to complete the absolute bare minimum to survive and occasionally misjudge what is needed done. After the atrocious high school years, the procrastinator finally gets into college. Life is more lenient and no one is breathing down the procrastinators neck to finish assignments. For a procrastinator with a decent mind and goal, this can be a positive environment. However, for an unceasing procrastinator with a terminal condition, it is a road to failure. Classes are skipped, research papers are ignored, and days and nights are spent meaninglessly and unproductively. As the procrastinator looks back at those four years, nothing worth remembering will be found except memories of drinking the nights away.

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Even throughout ones adult life, procrastination plays a big role. Whether it is a business report, balancing your checkbook, or finally building that kitchen shelf you promised your wife, procrastination becomes an essential part of our lives. It becomes a part of our entity. Without procrastination, we would all be perfect human beings who start an assignment the second it is given and completing it days ahead. What fun is that? While many people view procrastination to be a hindrance, from personal experience, I think it ends up being one of the biggest life lessons. I believe that the most valuable lessons a person learns in life are not in school or college but on their own. During my freshman year, I reached rock bottom in terms of productivity. Actually, I think I created a new level of rock bottom. In my case, I had my future planned out for me. I had no goal of my own and that kept me from doing any work to achieve anything. Each time I skipped class, called in sick, and cut a few corners, it just became easier and easier. What was not an option before now became a lifestyle. It became an addiction. But in the end, like most addictions, it was self-destructive. Destruction in the form of a report card. I forgot how good it felt to complete a big project and know I did my best. I forgot what it felt like to be proud of my work and receive a good grade. I was so trapped in my own world that I thought I could get away with anything. In the end, I think I really learned my lesson. Through procrastination, failure, and consequences, one learns to make prudent decisions that will bring him or her closer to success. Even though it may be a momentary pleasure, it will eventually lash back and in the process, teach you a great lesson. How you take that lesson and utilize it is up to you. Whether you decide to ignore it and continue your corrupt lifestyle, or pick yourself up and actually put some effort is your choice. But by bettering yourself, you grow and mature intellectually and eventually become a better, more productive version of yourself.