Procrastination a habit
Procrastination is a habit but with focused goals and a constant change in behavior it could be changed for the best.
I would say that I work best under pressure with smaller itmes; however, on the larger "life" matters, I tend to attack them as soon as I can.
I have asked my students to write what they feel is their number one weakness as a student, they often say procrastination.
i have a bad habit of keep putting off till another day. when there is a deadline i do better and keep myself more focused.
I agree! Starting IS frequently the hardest part. I find that once I start a task I will usually complete it without any problems. However, before I start grading a stack of papers, I often get my house cleaned because I don't feel guilty about procrastinating if I'm doing something else that I also consider to be important. I have found that lists really do help me to get started - I love to be able to put a checkmark next to that difficult task!
Focus and behavior change do go hand in hand. Some people feel like they work better under pressure.
Michael, You raise some important questions and at a guess, procrastination behavior is both a habit as well as a natural tendency in some people. I believe a portion of it can be unlearned and that people can change.
Dr. Melissa Read
Is procrastination a "habit" or rather a "personality trait"? I have procrastinated all of my adult life (becasue I don't ever remember doing it as a child or maybe it was considered something else when encountered in children). If it is a habit, then the behavior can be unlearned. If it is a personality trait, then it will be a lifetime struggle to manage (not necessarily overcoming it).
In my professional life it is at a minimum and does not affect my work (at least I think it doesn't). I am very concerned about how my superiors and peers view me. If they thought of me as a procrastinator, they would have a diminshed level of respect for me. The respect of peers and superiors is very important to me. Now, I don't do everything as soon as it comes to me. I prioritize, and am sure to get things accomplished prior to the deadline just incase something unforseen arises.
However, it is not a "habit" that has been broken. I manage my procrastination. I've been in the workforce for more than thirty years. It shouldn't take that long to break a "habit." I'm pretty good with it in my professional life. My personal life takes a little hit due to procrastination.
I'm with you. However, I force myself to do the task I hate the most and get it done first. Once I do this I find that I don't put off the other things since I got the hardest one out of the way.
My personal mission is to succeed at home first, this is the balance that works for me
changed for the best is the right way to say it.. An unfinished task hanging over your head weighs heavy
Michelle, I understand where you are coming from and there are a lot of instructors who are in a very similar situation. Sometimes it's hard to get motivated to complete tasks. I might recommend breaking some of your most daunting tasks down into more manageable chunks. That's a way to sometimes make them more palatable.
Dr. Melissa Read
I am a procrastinator especially when there is a task that I don't like. I will do everything else and leave that until I absolutely need to complete it. I have been trying to focus on completing tasks in the order of importance so that I may break that habit.
Bruce, It sounds like you are really on top of things. At the same time, you may struggle with the challenge of immediacy. You should know that every once in a while, it's ok to take a break and save tasks for next time.
Dr. Melissa Read
Patricia, These are all great points. I can especially appreciate your approach of tackling the hardest portions of your tasks first. While a bit painful to start, it can make the rest of your day much better by comparison.
Dr. Melissa Read
I have always been lucky in that sense. I try to tackle the issue at hand or task as soon as I possibly can. I may be on the other side of things where I am kind of OCD when it comes to getting started and completing a task regardless of its nature be it small or large.
Staying focused is important. Many taks are geared around the computer. Managing time on the computer and setting limits on a task will help resist the habit of procrastination. Jump in to begin, I find just starting is the hardest part of an unwanted task. Be sure to allow enough time for the task.
Demetrias, Absolutely. Old habits die hard, but it is possible to break them with focused attention and a deliberate approach.
Dr. Melissa Read
