WordNet defines it as: “the act of procrastinating; putting off, delaying or deferring an action to a later time”.
Or you may prefer a witty video-definition (from Lev Yilmaz):
The etymology of “procrastinate” means very literally: “putting off until tomorrow“. (cras=tomorrow in latin).
In my case I became a devoted procrastineur around high school. … Those assignments, papers and exams always gathered dust on the table while I recorded a tape from the radio, cleaned my desk, composed a lousy song on the guitar, helped in the kitchen or read a magazine. And with every minute lost … I could feel the stress creeping in hand in hand with the deadline.
Why? Not sure. The cause is hard to pin-point as it comprises a mix of over-confidence and low self-esteem. But how can those two work together? Well, I think you postpone what seems easy and boring. Then, slowly you slip inside the time for completion. You only have 4h, but everybody knows it takes 5. And your inflated chest fills with doubts… will I manage? If I only have 4, … wait, 3h48, when and how should I start?
Then fear links elbows with irrational time-management and you clean, stretch, have tea, blog, read about procrastination … all that should help you nail the job in 3h. Crap! I have 2h50? What does wikipedia say anyway? Procrastination -> Cognitive psychology -> Jung -> Young -> Neil Young Youtube video … SHIT! 2h20!!
_Ok, Ok, no problem. I’m good. I’ll manage. But, damn! why am I so dumb? I could have done two tasks instead of “one + shillyshally”. Anyway. 1h40, let’s do it!! And so you do it and deliver what looks like a half arsed report/exam.
In reality the report is pretty darn good for 1h30 of work, but you feel guilty, underperforming and scared of not delivering on tomorrow’s task.
What do you think triggers and ends your procrastination?
[...] may chose to actively procrastinate. Let me elaborate: The mixture of overconfidence and low esteem we have spoken of suggests that it’s something we can change. A renewed attitude, a strong confidence and an [...]