Procrastination is a common behavior affecting 20% of adults, with chronic procrastinators experiencing difficulty in various areas of life.
Contrary to popular belief, there is little evidence suggesting a strong association between procrastination and ADHD.
It's crucial to differentiate between procrastination and genuinely having too much on one's plate, and delegating tasks can be helpful in cases of genuine overload.
Deep dives
Understanding Procrastination: Causes, Consequences, and Solutions
Procrastination is a common behavior that affects 20% of adults, with chronic procrastinators experiencing difficulty in various areas of life. Procrastinators often fear failure and are concerned about their social image, seeking to avoid being seen as lacking effort or ability. They may struggle with decision-making and prioritizing tasks, seeing the "big picture" but feeling overwhelmed by the individual steps involved. It's important for individuals to surround themselves with "doers" and hold themselves accountable by publicly posting their goals. While strategies like time management and breaking tasks into smaller chunks may be helpful for some, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is recommended for chronic procrastinators who struggle with the behavior in multiple areas of life. Additionally, it's crucial to distinguish procrastination from legitimate feelings of being overloaded, and in those cases, delegating tasks to others can be an effective solution.
The Relationship Between Procrastination and ADHD
Contrary to popular belief, there is little evidence suggesting a strong association between procrastination and ADHD. While individuals with ADHD may exhibit symptoms such as distractibility and prone to boredom, these characteristics are not necessarily indicators of procrastination. More research is needed to better understand the relationship between procrastination and ADHD.
Differentiating Between Procrastination and Being Overloaded
It's crucial to differentiate between procrastination and genuinely having too much on one's plate. While it is normal to feel overloaded at times, chronic procrastinators often have a pattern of excessive delay and avoidance across various tasks. Delegation and trusting others to perform tasks can be helpful in cases of genuine overload, while chronic procrastinators may benefit from cognitive-behavioral therapy and accountability measures to address their underlying patterns of behavior.
Myth #1: Technology Makes Life Easier
Contrary to popular belief, technology does not inherently make life easier. The existence of automobiles before smartphones is a reminder that there has always been technology to contend with. The speaker argues against the idea that technology simplifies our lives, highlighting the historical reality of needing to prepare horses and buggies before being able to use cars.
Myth #2: Busy Lives
The perception that modern lives are busier compared to our ancestors is challenged. The speaker asserts that while our lives may be different, they are not necessarily busier. They emphasize that we all have the same 168 hours in a week, and it is not a matter of being busier but of managing ourselves effectively within that given time frame.
“Everyone procrastinates, but not everyone is a procrastinator,” quoth Dr. Joe Ferrari, a charming, hilarious expert on the subject. The research psychologist, author and DePaul University professor sits down for a truly delightful exploration of why we procrastinate, how prevalent it is, when it becomes harmful, some myths about procrastination, why it’s similar to gambling, how decision-making can feel paralyzing, how to trust your own abilities, and most importantly -- what to do if you’re a chronic procrastinator. Also: how and why you should embrace failure. Oh and a weird ASMR pencil trick.