Why We Procrastinate

- or –Why I waited until Sunday to do this assignment.

“The shortest guaranteed path to success comes from doing the things we know we should be doing but don’t want to do.”

Rory VadenConsultant, Behavioral Expert

Self-assessment:Why do you procrastinate?

a. Lack of self-disciplineb. Desire to avoid stressc. Just can’t get in the moodd. I’ll get back to you on that

The paradox:

Delaying may help relieve stress now, but it creates more stress later.

So why do we do it?

“Procrastination is like buying on credit.”Rory VadenConsultant, Behavioral Expert

Get what you want now. Pay later.

The true cost of procrastination.

The average American spends two of every eight hours not working.

Cost of wasted time:$10,000 per employee, per year.*

*Based on average income of $39,000.

Why people procrastinate:a. Don’t feel its impactb. Fearc. Sense of entitlementd. Perfectionism

If you don’t feel its impact:Place yourself in the future state, when the work is due.

If you feel entitled:Focus on how doing the work helps you advance your personal goals.

If you fear the job is too big:Start it anyway. Sometimes getting started is all it takes.

If you’re a perfectionist:Focus on making progress. Not on making it perfect.

How to resist the urge to procrastinate today:Focus on the end goal -- Think of how doing the work now will make your life easier later.

“If I have a clear picture of how doing something that I don’t want to do will get me to where I want to go…

“If I have a clear picture of how doing something that I don’t want to do will get me to where I want to go… that vision will compel me and pull me through the muck.”

-- Rory Vaden