Procrastination
- 1. Now that you have all answered the question, why you think people procrastinate? Read and reflect on the article. Respond to this article by comparing any similarities you may have, or someone you know, to this scenario. Write a one page summary on your reflections. This Assignment is worth 50 points. PROCRASTINATION The procrastinator is often remarkably optimistic about his ability to complete a task on a tight deadline.… For example, he may estimate that a paper will take only five days to write; he has fifteen days; there is plenty of time, no need to start. Lulled by a false sense of security, time passes. At some point, he crosses over an imaginary starting time and suddenly realizes, “Oh no! I am not in control! There isn’t enough time!” At this point, considerable effort is directed toward completing the task, and work progresses. This sudden spurt of energy is the source of the erroneous feeling that “I work well only under pressure.” Actually, at this point you are making progress only because you haven’t any choice.… Progress is being made, but you have lost your freedom. Barely completed in time, the paper may actually earn a fairly good grade; whereupon the student experiences mixed feelings: pride of accomplishment (sort of), scorn for the professor who cannot recognize substandard work, and guilt for getting an undeserved grade. But the net result is reinforcement: The procrastinator is rewarded positively for his poor behavior (“Look what a decent grade I got after all!”). As a result, the counterproductive behavior is repeated time and time again. William Sydnor, California Polytechnic State University at San Luis Obispo