Identifying+Procrastination

=**Chapter 1 - Identifying Procrastination**=

**Defining Procrastination**
"Procrastinators unite...maybe tomorrow!" Procrastination is problem that most of us can identify with. It is a type of behavior which is characterized by deferment of actions or tasks to a later time. Psychologists often cite procrastination as a mechanism for coping with the anxiety associated with starting or completing any task or decision (Fiore 2006). We will put off mowing the lawn for a week or just worry about paying a bill another day. Procrastination is also a major issue among students. Failure to study or do homework will often end up with the student forgetting about a test or project or will cram the night before to get in as much information as possible. However, procrastination is not necessarily a bad thing in all cases.

**Types of Procrastination**
While people have broken down procrastination into multiple types there are essentially two types, good and bad procrastination. Bad procrastination is the most commonly known type of procrastination. This is a student not studying for a test until the last minute or someone being too lazy to go pay a parking ticket. Bad procrastination normally ends with negative consequences, but not always. The student that waited to the last minute to study may luck out and make a decent grade on his/her test or they could become too stressed because of the situation and not do so well on the test. The person who never went to go pay their parking ticket could forget to pay and then would be forced to pay even larger fines later. This can often be associated with bad time management skills.

Apart from procrastination with negative consequences, there is a positive form of procrastination, as well. This is often associated with and can be obtained through good time management skills. We often have too many tasks that need to be completed that can be accomplished in one or two days. Sometimes, we may have projects such as painting a house that involve preparation as well as carrying out the actual project which could take a few days alone. Small and unimportant tasks can be procrastinated to a later time. By the use of //good// procrastination, schedules can be re-aligned to relieve stress and possibly even open up free-time.

**Causes of Procrastination**
What leads people to procrastinate? According to http://www.career-success-for-newbies.com/what-causes-procrastination.html, the main reason people procrastinate is because the task isn't meaningful and motivating. If there is not enough motivation to finish a task, then someone is going to be very resisting in completing the task. The same goes for if the task feels like it is helping someone else complete their goals. Perfectionist attitudes and pressure from evaluation anxiety can discourage people from beginning work because of a fear of failure. Being assigned tasks completely new to you can cause a lack of confidence and a reason to procrastinate, as well (Unknown, 2006).


 * References**


 * 1) Fiore, Neil A (2006). //The Now Habit: A Strategic Program for Overcoming Procrastination and Enjoying Guilt- Free Play//. New York: Penguin Group. ISBN 9781585425525 . p. 5
 * 2) Unknown Author, (2006). What Causes Procrastination: A Basic Understanding for Career Newbies. Retrieved November 8, 2008, from What Causes Procrastination: A Basic Understanding for Career Newbies Web site: http://www.career-success-for-newbies.com/what-causes-procrastination.html