Procrastination is an irrational tendency to delay tasks; it is the most common form of self-handicapping by withholding effort. (Galluchi, 2014). Procrastinators also may suffer from low self-esteem, high fears of failure, constant self-doubt, disappointments about lost opportunities, or regret for time wasted (Galluchi, 2014). Some theories about how procrastination develops are:
Parental influence. Parents of procrastinators may have made their love conditional based on achievements, may have set unrealistic goals for their children, or overly emphasized achievements (Galluchi, 2014). In response, children may have developed the behavior of procrastinating. By not completing the task(s) upon which their parents’ approval hinged, they would neither be rejected nor accepted (Galluchi, 2014). By withholding their effort, they can also hold out hope that their parents may approve of them later (Galluchi, 2014). Think about this. You have a great idea for a business. You work on it, but never actually start the business. By procrastinating, you are avoiding feedback on your business. No one can criticize it because you never launched it. However, no one can praise it either! By avoiding the actual launch, you are able to 1) avoid criticism and 2) hold onto the potential. This is the same idea as how parental influence might develop procrastinating behaviors in children.
Passive-Aggressive. In situations where parents are pushing achievement, children can withhold effort (and procrastinate a task) in a passive-aggressive way of showing anger toward parents (Galluchi, 2014). This would accomplish two things for the child 1) frustrate the parents (in a way of “payback”) and 2) keep the parent believing in the child’s abilities (Galluchi, 2014). Since the child failed due to lack of effort, not due to lack of skills, a true assessment of ability is not conducted.
How can it decrease performance?
Many procrastinators claim that they do their best work under pressure, that they enjoy the challenge of meeting the deadline, or that the delay gives them more time for leisure activities, but studies show that procrastination often decreases performance and increases anxiety (Galluchi, 2014). Procrastinators are more likely to experience increased illness (due to stress), higher levels of stress, and guilt for procrastinating, which is seen as lazy or having poor time management skills (Galluchi, 2014). To put procrastination into perspective, consider fitness. You cannot procrastinate training for a marathon. Conditioning and performance improvements happen slowly over time.
How can it improve performance?
Procrastination is not known to improve performance.
Strategies to Pivot
Behavioral- The main strategy for combating procrastination is behavioral. To change procrastinating behaviors, one has to do the hard work first then play (Galluchi, 2014).
Cognitive- If the procrastinator has unreasonably high standards for performance, then they may self-handicap or avoid performance so they avoid failure and retain potential (Galluchi, 2014). To correct this the performer must do an intensive self-study
Training Questions
Using your mental performance log, answer these questions. Remember that the more thought and effort you put into them, the more you'll get from the experience.
1. Can you think of a time when procrastination negatively impacted your performance? Explain. 2. Can you think of a time when procrastination positively impacted your performance? Explain. 3. Which of the strategies will you use to improve your future performances? Explain why you selected those strategies.