July 14, 201012:00 – 1:00 P.M.
Room 2-334Green Room
Procrastination!... “Don’t Let It Move on
You.”
COPE Workshop
Patrick Fleming, Student Leadership DevelopmentAnthony Webb, Counseling Services
Agenda for the WorkshopJuly 14, 2010 – Wednesday
AGENDA ITEM:• Successful Students• Look at Procrastination
• Reasons for Procrastination• Fear of Success?• Cost of Procrastination
• Success – Personal Leadership Skills – Emotional Intelligence
• Initiative • Insights – People – Action Plan Ideas
• Stop Procrastination – Now! Exercise• What Causes YOU to Procrastinate
1. … are responsible. Successful students get involved in their studies, accept responsibility for their own education, and are active participants in it!
2. … have educational goals. Successful students have legitimate goals and are motivated by what they represent in terms of career aspiration and life’s desires.
3. … ask questions. Successful students ask questions to provide the quickest route between ignorance and knowledge.
Successful Students (Handout)
4. … learn that a student and a professor make a team. Most instructors want exactly what you want: they would like for you to learn the material in their respective classes and earn a good grade.
5. … don’t sit in the back. Successful students minimize classroom distractions that interfere with learning.
6. … take good notes. Successful students take notes that are understandable and organized, and review them often.
Successful Students
7. … understand that actions affect learning. Successful students know their personal behavior affect their feelings and emotions which in turn can affect learning.
8. … talk about what they’re learning. Successful students get to know something well enough that they can put it into words.
9. … don’t cram for exams. Successful students know that divided periods of study are more effective than cram sessions, and practice it.
Successful Students
10. … are good time managers. Successful students do not procrastinate. They have learned that time control is life control and have consciously chosen to be in control of their life.
An element of truth: you will either control time or be controlled by it! It’s your choice: you can lead or be led, establish control or relinquish control, steer your own course or follow others. Failure to take control of their own time is probably the #1 study skills problem for college students. It ultimately causes many students to become non-students! Procrastinators are good excuse makers. Don’t make academics harder on yourself than it has to be. And don’t wait until tomorrow to do it!
Successful Students
Four Simple Reasons for Procrastination
1. Difficult• Task seems to hard to do.• Avoid difficult things in favor of those which seem easy to
us.
2. Time-consuming• Task will take large blocks of time.• Large blocks of time are unavailable until the weekend.
3. Lack of knowledge or skills• No one wants to make a mistake.• Wait until you learn how before you start.
4. Fears• Everyone will know how you messed up.• I can never be successful.
Four Complex Reasons for Procrastination
1. Perfectionism• Everything must go completely right.• Long on criticism and short on praise.
2. Anger/Hostility• Unhappy with someone, we’ll often withhold our best
efforts.• Delay a project as a way of “getting even.”
3. Low Frustration Tolerance• You find situations radically intolerable and terribly unfair. • Characterized by whining and complaining.
4. Self-Downing• Minimize your own skills and abilities.• Express doubt about your ability to succeed.
“Procrastination is the fear of success. People procrastinate
because they are afraid of the success that they know will
result if they move ahead now. Because success is heavy, carries a responsibility with it, it is much easier to procrastinate and live on the ‘someday I’ll’ philosophy.”
Denis Waitley, author
Waitley Institute
Fear of Success
• Being afraid to achieve the very things that we want.
• Self-defeating thinking, such as:– “I don’t deserve it”– “If I achieve what I set out to do, everyone will know that I
don’t really deserve it”– “If I get it I won’t be able to sustain it. Why try?”– “If I am successful, someone will come along who is better
than me. Then, what will happen to me?”– “If I am successful, my relationships will change and I’ll
have to make new friends. My current friends would never accept a more successful me.”
Fear of Success
• Self-defeating thinking leads to self-defeating actions
– Doing the wrong thing even when you know the right thing to do
• That way, one can avoid having to deal with success.
– Minimizing your accomplishments so they are ultimately negated
• Then, you don’t have to live up to being all that you really are.
– Feeling guilty when you have a success.• Creates a slowdown in momentum, hesitancy to act, and a self-
fulfilling inability to move on to another success.
• What to do differently– Act in a way that will help build a sense of self
• Find ways to encourage and acknowledge accomplishments of those around you
– Seek people who have your permission to provide feedback – positive and negative – about your progress.
– When someone compliments you, respond with a firm “Thank You!”
Fear of Success
Cost of Procrastination
• Your health– Evidence of compromised immune systems
• More colds, flu, and gastrointestinal problems
– Insomnia
• Shifts the burden of responsibilities onto others, who become resentful
• Destroys teamwork in the workplace and private relationships
• Other costs?
Procrastination! ---“Don’t Let It Move on
You.”
Procrastination can affect your success. Overcome
procrastination by enhancing your personalleadership skills and understanding
theimportance emotional
intelligenceplays in the process.
“Waiting is a trap. There will always be reasons to wait. The truth is, there are only two things in life, reasons and results, and reasons simply don't count.”
Dr. Robert Anthony www.drrobertanthony.com
Procrastination… “Don’t Let It Move On You.”“Quotes”
“There's a difference between interest and commitment. When you're interested in doing something, you do it only when circumstance permit. When you're committed to something, you accept no excuses, only results."
Art Turock www.turock.com
Procrastination… “Don’t Let It Move On You.”“Quotes”
“Perhaps the most valuable result of all education is the ability to make yourself do the thing you have to do when it ought to be done whether you like it or not."
Thomas Huxley Educator (1825-1898)
Procrastination… “Don’t Let It Move On You.”“Quotes”
“Waiting is a trap. There will always be reasons to wait. The truth is, there are only two things in life, reasons and results, and reasons simply don't count.”
Dr. Robert Anthony www.drrobertanthony.com
“Perhaps the most valuable result of all education is the ability to make yourself do the thing you have to do when it ought to be done whether you like it or not."
Thomas Huxley Educator (1825-1898)
“There's a difference between interest and commitment. When you're interested in doing something, you do it only when circumstance permit. When you're committed to something, you accept no excuses, only results."
Art Turock www.turock.com
Procrastination… “Don’t Let It Move On You.”“Quotes”
(Handout)
“Waiting is a trap. There will always be reasons to wait. The truth is, there are only two things in life, reasons and results, and reasons simply don't count.”
Dr. Robert Anthony www.drrobertanthony.com
“Perhaps the most valuable result of all education is the ability to make yourself do the thing you have to do when it ought to be done whether you like it or not."
Thomas Huxley Educator (1825-1898)
“There's a difference between interest and commitment. When you're interested in doing something, you do it only when circumstance permit. When you're committed to something, you accept no excuses, only results."
Art Turock www.turock.com
Results – Commitment – Education“Quotes”
“Success is the progressive realization of a predetermined
worthwhile goal”
Definition of SuccessJohn C. Maxwell – “Talent is Never Enough”
Success is not an event; it is a process
When you engage in a process that takes time, focus is essential
Only people capable of remaining focused can expect to direct their talent and achieve a level of success
(Handout)
DWYSYWD:
DoWhatYouSayYouWillDoSay – Clear about your beliefs, know what you stand forDo – Put what you say into practice, must
act on your beliefs, and “do”“The Leadership Challenge”, 4th EditionAuthors: Jim Kouzes and Barry Posner
(Handout)
Time Management Tips for College Students
1. Acknowledge Your Priorities
2. Plan ahead
3. Multi-Task…Very Selectively
4. Know Your Limits
5. Be Responsible
(Handout)
Cost of Multi-tasking
http://news.stanford.edu/news/2009/august24/multitask-research-study-082409.html
Twelve Principles of Personal Leadership
1. The Right Visionary Goals2. Continuous Education3. Maintaining Your Health4. Driving Forward5. Utilizing Your Resources6. Dealing with the Disappointments7. A Life in Balance8. Simple Diversions9. Meaningful Relationships10. Know Thyself11. Passionately Positive12. Embracing Spirituality
PersonalLeadershipDevelopme
nt
1. Emotional Self-Perception
2. Honest Self-Understanding
3. Healthy Self-Esteem
4. Emotional Self-Control5. Authenticity6. Flexibility7. Achievement8. Optimism9. Initiative
Habit 1: Be ProactiveHabit 2: Begin with the End in MindHabit 3: Put First Things FirstHabit 4: Think Win-WinHabit 5: Seek First to Understand, Then to be
UnderstoodHabit 6: SynergizeHabit 7: Sharpen the Saw
Seven Habits – Stephen Covey
Emotional Intelligence – Consciousness of Self (9)
Lead
ersh
i
p
Sinclair
CEO
Leadership Sinclair, CEO
Student Leadership DevelopmentBuilding 8 – Lower Level – Room 8025
(937) 512-2509 “Developing Student Leadership Potential”
Your Job?Putting the TwelvePrinciples Together
(Handout)
Emotional Intelligence – Competencies (21)
1. Emotional Self-Perception
2. Honest Self-Understanding
3. Healthy Self-Esteem4. Emotional Self-Control5. Authenticity6. Flexibility7. Achievement8. Optimism9. Initiative
1. Empathy2. Citizenship3. Inspiration4. Influence5. Coaching6. Change Agent7. Conflict Management8. Developing Relationships9. Teamwork10. Capitalizing on
Difference
Consciousness of Others (10)
Consciousness of Self (9)
1. Environmental Awareness
2. Group Savvy
Consciousness of Context (2)
emotional intelligence – the ability to comprehend one’s emotions, empathize with the feelings of others, and interact with people in ways that promote congenial and nourishing relationships.
(Handout)
Emotional Intelligence
• Peter Salovey & John Mayer, 1990 coined the term Emotional Intelligence
• Defined EI as: The ability to monitor one’s own emotions and feelings as well as others, and to use the information to guide one’s thinking and actions.
New Measurement/Yardstick
“We are being judged by a new yardstick; not just howsmart we are, or by our training and expertise, but alsohow well we handle ourselves and each other.”
Daniel GolemanWorking with Emotional
Intelligence
Emotional Intelligence – Competencies (21)
1. Emotional Self-Perception
2. Honest Self-Understanding
3. Healthy Self-Esteem4. Emotional Self-Control5. Authenticity6. Flexibility7. Achievement8. Optimism
9. Initiative9. Initiative
1. Empathy2. Citizenship3. Inspiration4. Influence5. Coaching6. Change Agent7. Conflict Management8. Developing Relationships9. Teamwork10. Capitalizing on
Difference
Consciousness of Others (10)
Consciousness of Self (9)
1. Environmental Awareness
2. Group Savvy
Consciousness of Context (2)
(Handout
Consciousness of SelfInitiative
• Being aware of yourself in terms of your abilities and emotions
Initiative: Wanting and seeking opportunities
• Those who seek people and resources to assist themalong their journey or with their project or ideas
• Acts rather than waits• Seeks information in unusual ways• Individuals who always seem to be ahead of the curve• Have a passion for what they are doing• Laser-like focus and follow through
1. Initiative is the first step to anywhere you want to go– Where you finish in life isn’t determined so much by where
you start as by whether you start– Successful people initiate – and they follow through
2. Initiative closes the door to fear– If you want to close the door on fear, get moving– Action is a great restorer and builder of confidence.– Inaction is not only the result, but the cause, of fear
3. Initiative opens the door to opportunity
– Anyone who doesn’t take initiative is almost guaranteed to fail
– Can’t wait until everything is perfect to act and expect to be successful
Initiative Activates Your TalentInsights on Initiative
(Handout)
4. Initiative eases life’s difficulties– “Nothing is so fatiguing as the hanging on of an
uncompleted task.”- William James
– The only way to get rid of a difficult task is to do it. That takes initiative
5. Initiative is often the difference between success
and failure– Without it, true potential is never reached– Goals are not achieved
Initiative Activates Your TalentInsights on Initiative
1. People who lack initiative fail to see the consequences of inaction
– “It is easy to dodge our responsibilities, but we cannot dodge the consequences of dodging our responsibilities.” – Sir Josiah Stamp
– Whatever we do - or fail to do – will catch up with us in the end
2. People who lack initiative want someone else to motivate them
– Motivation comes from within.– If we wait for others to motivate us, what happens when a
coach, a boss, or other inspirational person doesn’t show up
Initiative Activates Your TalentPeople Who Lack Initiative
(Handout)
3. People who lack initiative look for the perfect time to act
– “He who deliberates fully before taking a step will spend his entire life on one leg.” – Chinese proverb
– For many people, the tragedy isn’t that life ends to soon; it’s that they wait too long to begin it
4. People who lack initiative like tomorrow better than today
– Focus your attention on today instead of tomorrow– “Tomorrow is the only day in the year that appeals to a lazy
man.” - Jimmy Lyons
– For people who never start, their difficulties never stop
Initiative Activates Your TalentPeople Who Lack Initiative
1. Accept responsibility for your life– “To move the world we must first move ourselves.” –
Socrates– Responsibility and initiative are inseparable– You cannot wish your way to success– You need to take responsibility and act
2. Examine your reasons for not initiating– Separate legitimate reasons from excuses– An excuse puts the blame on someone or something outside
you– Easier to move from failure to success than from excuses to
success– Eliminate excuses
Initiative Activates Your TalentInitiative Action Plan
(Handout)
3. Focus on the benefits of completing a task– Procrastination is the fertilizer that makes difficulties grow– If you procrastinate about a task – it is a necessary one
• If it’s not, don’t put it off; eliminate it
– Focus on what you’ll get out of it if you get it done• Will completing the task bring a financial benefit?• Will it clear the way for something else you would like to do?• Does it represent a milestone in you personal growth and
development?• At the very least, does it help to clear the decks for you
emotionally?
4. Share your goal with a friend who will help you– No one achieves success alone– Share your goals and dreams with people who care about
you and will encourage and assist you in accomplishing them
Initiative Activates Your TalentInitiative Action Plan
5. Breaking large tasks down into smaller ones– Divide it by categories– Prioritize it by importance– Order it by sequence– Assign it by abilities– Accomplish it by teamwork
6. Allocate specific times to tasks you might procrastinate
– “The greatest time wasted is the time getting started.”- Dawson
Trotman– The hardest part of writing a letter is penning the first line– Schedule a specific time for something you don’t like doing
Initiative Activates Your TalentInitiative Action Plan
7. Remember, preparation includes doing– “The water does not flow until the faucet is turned on.”
- Louis L’Amour– Desire isn’t enough. – Good intentions aren’t enough.– Talent isn’t enough.– Success requires initiative– Plans are nothing…unless they are followed with action. Do
it now!
Initiative Activates Your TalentInitiative Action Plan
Success flows from Doing, not from planning
The 3 F’s• Faith
• Overcome doubts
• Focus• Single mindedly work on the task at hand• Concentrate• Directs your efforts and energy
• Follow-through• Take responsibility and act• Carry-out task, event, etc. to completion• Execute on your plan
• Other ideas• Education is FREEDOM!• Raises your level of expectations
Ethel Washington-HarrisSinclair Graduate, DP&L Official, andFormer Sinclair Board of Trustees MemberSinclair CommencementJune 12, 2009
“The very essence of leadership is that you have to have a
vision.You can’t blow an uncertain trumpet.”
Rev. Theodore M. Hesburgh, C.S.C.
University of Notre Dame
Scholarly Success Characteristics
• Distinguished Academic Accomplishment– Care about exploring ideas– Engage in meaningful and productive dialogue– Motivation for academic success– True passion for the learning and discovery process
• Exemplary Moral Character– Guided by beliefs about right and wrong, good and evil, and
justice and injustice– Respected by peers as people of kindness, integrity, courage, and
faith
• Demonstrated Leadership Abilities– Lead with confidence and humility– Identify specific times when they had to take action to solve a
problem, to improve a situation, to meet a need
• Sincere Commitment to Service– Oriented towards serving others– Concern for the common good– Social concern should be borne out in active service toward
others
Scholarly Success Characteristics