Procrastination: Thief of Time Thought leads to behavior

Who procrastinate  Raise your hand!?! –Why do you procrastinate?  The choice of procrastination is yours. Take responsibility!

The Why of procrastination  Rationalization –one way to explain (think) away your actions when they don’t match up with your values or plans.  original mind game  It may seem reasonable but don’t reflect the real reason

3 components to rationalization  Who - often it is you  situation - often it is academic  excuse - sounds reasonable… but is it?

Real reasons for procrastination  Lack of self-confidence  Low frustration tolerance –Under pressure - proactive vs. reactive  Hostility “ideal fairness” –Life/time is not giving what you want  It is important that you can see the difference from rationalizations and real reasons

Procrastination Cycle Self-beliefs (can’t cope w/ this) Behavior ( procrastinate ) ( Run away ) potentiallydifficultsituation (getting squeezed) Feelings ( anxiety, fear, anger ) Next time

How Did This Happen?  A LITTLE DEMON You!

A LITTLE DEMON  The pleasure Principle –You want to have Fun  The finger of Blame –You externalize and blame others  Unmask the Demon

Procrastination “Busting”  Make a conscious effort to change –Use feedback to fight back –Keep track - monitor –Tell yourself - best buddy –Ask others how they do it –Set goals w/ bite size pieces –Take responsibility to respond –Think positive and Plan!

Main Point Differentiating between “rationalizations” and “real reasons” affect what you believe, thus affecting everything else.

“Life often gets in the way of the best-laid plans.”  UFOs (UnForseen Obstacles)  Setbacks in your quest for better time management –productive vs. less productive days  Still stick with it - this is a learning process  Avoid procrastination in your goal of avoiding procrastination!  Remember you control/manage your life