Procrastination

[Rei]

I was just curious if this is supposed to be classified as a P trait.

I'm horrible when it comes to starting to do anything because I have to work under absolutely perfect conditions... and it seems that those never really happen. So I end up putting it off till the last possible second to work on it.

Anyone had this problem and figured out a way to correct it?
People suffering from this inefficiency now?

[stasis]

Not to play directly into the stereotype, but procrastination is pretty much a defining influence in my life. Nevertheless, some tasks do need to be completed in order to maintain social function and, broadly, to remain alive. So I'll tend to allow important deadlines to approach near enough to drive me into a state of pure terror, which is what usually prompts me into finally doing something.

As for figuring out a way to correct it... perhaps tomorrow.

[Rei]

As for figuring out a way to correct it... perhaps tomorrow.

You couldn't resist could you?

[stasis]

You couldn't resist could you?
No. And there's a reason for that, but I'll explain later.

[rwyatt365]

Rei, I saw this article this morning - how did you know?!

By Toni Bowers, TechRepublic

Many IT leaders procrastinate unconscientiously. I think this is a mistake. If you are going to procrastinate-like any other activity that is worth doing-you should conscientiously know what you are doing and… be good at it. Many psychologists would agree that procrastination is a learned behavior. Therefore, I have provided a brief ten lesson course that will help you to master the art of procrastination. Upon completion of this mini-course, you will be an expert at not doing.

Lesson # 1 - Know what procrastination means
It is difficult to be a good procrastinator if you don’t know what procrastination means. The Webster’s Encyclopedic Unabridged Dictionary of the English Language (Gramercy Books: New York, 1989) defines to procrastinate as, “v.t. 1. to defer action; delay. 2. to put off until another day or time; defer; delay.” It is generally accepted by most psychologists that procrastination is merely a way for our overstressed society to deal with the anxiety related to starting any task or making any decision. One who procrastinates is called a procrastinator. There are many people who hold this title. However, there are very few that actually use it. A trained procrastinator will have many opinions about these definitions and will probably tell you about them next week.

Lesson # 2 - Understand the history of procrastination
My research on the history of procrastination proved to be extremely interesting. In turns out, the most authoritative book on procrastination is entitled, “Procrastination through the ages: A definitive history”, (Ringenback, 1971). Further investigation, however, revealed that the book was never written. That’s great because it provides us with the second lesson. To become a master at the art of procrastination, you need to stop putting things off. You will be more effective if you simply did not do them at all.

Lesson #3 - Don’t prioritize your tasks
Most master procrastinators have nightmares about prioritized task lists. Think about it, if your tasks are prioritized, then you know which of them is most important. You will also have a clear picture of the order in which to perform each task. Unfortunately, this means that by the end of the day many of the important (and generally most difficult) tasks will be completed-assuming you cannot address all of the items on your list. Any skilled procrastinator knows that this is totally unacceptable.

Lesson #4 - Develop a short attention span
A long attention span could really be a problem for the procrastinator. That generally means that you are thinking things through. It also means that you will more than likely be extremely focused on the tasks at hand. This could only lead to an action plan for getting things done. Of course, the next logical step is that you would probably be compelled to execute the plan you developed. Not good.

Lesson #5 - Find other fun tasks that avoid work
It is imperative that you keep in mind that there are about a million other things that are a lot more fun than the items on your dreaded “To Do” list. One of my favorites is making necklaces out of paper clips. It doesn’t require a lot of skill; it is a relatively fun activity; it can consume as much time as there are available paper clips (and we all know that there are always paper clips handy); it can give the appearance that you are creative and actually doing something when engaged in idle chat with a co-worker; and there is a serene sense of achievement when you’re done. There are many other pretty effective time wasters you may chose to do that are less fun. For example, you can take your fourth trip across the street for that triple Grande latte mocha with caramel. If you do, don’t forget the whip cream. This could be worth at least another two minutes.

Lesson #6 - Hold lots of meetings
Meetings are really good alternatives to real work. Actually, meetings can be a lot of fun as well. Think about it. You can spend time with a number of people that you like; you can get to draw on flipcharts and boards (this is really neat); you get to feel real important when you sit at the head of the table; and you have the opportunity to provide an endless stream of meaningless recommendations. If you are a good procrastinator, you will get people to accept your recommendations. Of course, you can guess what will happen next. They will form subcommittees that will do what… have meetings!

Lesson #7 - Be a perfectionist
A truly good procrastinator has a high degree of discontent and frustration. This is because rarely is anything accomplished that is completely acceptable to them. Therefore, you should spend as much time as possible trying to find every flaw that exists. Since you and I know that this is virtually impossible, you can outdo everyone in the amount of work you will avoid doing. If you want to be a candidate for the title of Master of Procrastination, you need to nit-pick everything to death. Do you realize the amount of time you can spend nit-picking? Can you believe the amount of not doing that you can accomplish?

Lesson #8 - Delay everything unnecessarily
Highly productive people will get in the way of a good procrastinator. They can even make you look like a poor procrastinator by trying to get you involved in the productive activity. You can’t let that happen. You need to recognize that some of these people will be within your own organization. I have found the best way to keep this from tarnishing your procrastination expertise. You must develop good micromanagement skills as well. By micromanaging every activity and nit-picking every aspect of work (see Lesson #7); you can be assured you will delay just about everything.

Lesson #9 - Don’t be too organized
Organization is a major threat to a skilled procrastinator. Do you know what it means to have all your materials ready before you begin a task? You will more than likely have your daily schedule with you all the time. You will develop a great desire to check off tasks as you complete them. That would lead to activities such as carrying the books you must read around with you; looking up and writing down the phone numbers for those calls you need to make; jotting down some ideas for that report you must write; or laying out the materials you will need to start the next job. Be careful. That means that you are doing things.

Lesson #10
Actually, I had one more lesson to write. I think I will do it another time

For your edification.

[Rei]

Considering I should be cramming for an exam at 5:30pm today...
I'm going to make this short...

Lesson #3 - Don’t prioritize your tasks - but I'm a J, I can't help it!
Lesson #4 - Develop a short attention span - I DO have a short attention span, that's partly my problem
Lesson #5 - Find other fun tasks that avoid work - there are way too many, they somehow unconsciously float to the top of that priority list
Lesson #7 - Be a perfectionist - again, I AM a perfectionist, it's part of my problem
Lesson #9 - Don’t be too organized - look at my comment to lesson #3

[INTJgal]

A quote from C.S. Lewis (one of our own INTJs)

Human life has always been lived on the edge of a precipice. Human culture has always had to exist under the shadow of something infinitely more important than itself... If we let ourselves, we shall always be waiting for some distraction or other to end before we can really get down to our work. The only people who achieve much are those who want knowledge so badly that they seek it while the conditions are still unfavourable. Favourable conditions never come... We must do the best we can.

[WavesSootheMe]

I think the major factor in my procrastination is perfectionism. If I have five hours to write a five page paper, I will take five hours. The first four hours are dedicated to perfecting the first page and the last hour is spent rushing through the rest because I can no longer afford to be a perfectionist. If there is no deadline, don't expect me to consider anything good enough to hand over to someone else for a very long time. On top of that, unless I internalize a project and make it my own (instead of some random assignment given to me by society or whomever it may be), it will not make the top of my priority list until crunch time. If there's an aspect of the project that I'm unsure of or that I could potentially fail at, procrastination is inevitable.

Advice? Perfectionism still makes me a rather inefficient yet quality employee, but I have picked up a few tips to help with the other aspects of procrastination. First, if you have work to do from home, get out of your house. Take your work anywhere else and bring only your work. I like cafes that have some people there but aren't incredibly crowded. I can sit there, sip coffee and focus. Second, really assess the work you have to do and figure out a way to make the project your own. For example, I've been wrestling with grad school applications this season, and with the deadlines so far off in the future, it's been really difficult for me to get anywhere with them. To help, I had to stop functioning under everyone else's advice and do it my way. I'm now only applying to programs that I'm really excited about, and I'm having absolutely no problem getting the work for them done in a timely fashion. Before that decision, everyone was telling me that I needed some magic number to ensure that I'd get in somewhere. I was completely overwhelmed and unmotivated. Last, keep busy by adding scheduled activities to your week that you enjoy. I find that the less free time I have, the less I procrastinate. The whole "I'll do it later" mentality doesn't work when you don't have the time later.

If that doesn't work, move to France. I lived there for a year and discovered that they do not value efficiency like Americans by any means. I loved it.

[bubbles]

I was just curious if this is supposed to be classified as a P trait.

I'm horrible when it comes to starting to do anything because I have to work under absolutely perfect conditions... and it seems that those never really happen. So I end up putting it off till the last possible second to work on it.

Anyone had this problem and figured out a way to correct it?
People suffering from this inefficiency now?

It's not really a P trait, at least according to the posts of all the INTJs here who are procrastinating. I'm the same--just have to wait for the right conditions to start working on something and if it's unfinished and if I continue with it later, it will take me a while to start. I'm also a perfectionist (which could be a good thing or bad thing depending on the situation).

I don't think there is a way to correct it if you're seeking the "perfect conditions" to begin work as that is unlikely to happen since everything is so imperfect. The moment just comes when I feel like doing work and that is when I'm most efficient, but if I am to wait, I would be procrastinating through deadlines. I don't have any suggestions, but people (including a psychologist) gave me a helpful (and practical) suggestion: "Just do it." Much easier said than done.

[Ian]

I picked up a tee shirt while on holiday this year that amused me - it just says:

Top 10 Reason Why I Procrastinate:
1.




Well I thought it was funny.

[Amaranth]

A quote from C.S. Lewis (one of our own INTJs)

Oh, that was fantastic. Thank you for sharing. I'm going to go tuck it into my treasured collection of wise quotations.

[Rei]

A quote from C.S. Lewis (one of our own INTJs)

Indeed.
I should get that printed in huge font and stick it on my desk... staring at me...

[Amaranth]

I ended up putting it on my online study journal. Thanks again, INTJgal!

[Mason]

I picked up a tee shirt while on holiday this year that amused me - it just says:

Top 10 Reason Why I Procrastinate:
1.




Well I thought it was funny.

Yeah, I don't know about that...

I mean, I at least finish my lists (ex. to-do). As for crossing items off of it... Well, that may take an arbitrary amount of time.

[fongj]

I read an awesome article/essay yesterday that put my "procrastination" in perspective:
structuredprocrastination.com

Two times in my life, I took on a lot of responsibilities, and then tried to cut back. Both times cutting back just made me more unproductive, just as predicted.

[HarleyQuinn]

I happily procrastinate but not the point where I'm up until 3 AM... that's too insane for my logic driven mind.

I honestly don't think there's been one assignment that I haven't completed prior to the day of the class this semester. Although I find that I'm more alert from 8 PM - 1 AM although coffee might be helping there, always been a night owl though... :undecided:

The latest I've worked on an assignment in college was 1 AM... although I often spend mornings of classes doing the work if I have a long enough window (like 3-4 hours).

I kinda wish I got bad grades so there'd be an incentive to not procrastinate but these B's and A's only reinforce.

Editing to add that I've been a procrastinator since about 7th grade maybe.

[banzai]

I procrastinate because I can, and because there is a small chance that the problem will solve itself without me doing any work. I can do my work in about 1/3 the time that anyone else can, so why work so hard?

On the other hand, if I want something, there is very little I won't do to have it immediately

[OneBadMother]

I am a P, and I am an expert procrastinator. The closer to the deadline I work the better my work. If I ever did any schoolwork far in advance there's a good chance that I would never touch it again and just turn it in.

When I was younger the problem was that I was disorganized, not that I was a procrastinator. Once I became a just-organized-enough procrastinator who got a good six hours of sleep on average before classes, school became much, much easier.

[Max T]

[FONT=Verdana]By Toni Bowers, TechRepublic

[FONT=Verdana]Many IT leaders procrastinate unconscientiously. I think this is a mistake. If you are going to procrastinate-like any other activity that is worth doing-you should conscientiously know what you are doing and… be good at it.

LOL! Brilliant malapropism!!
Either Toni Bowers is a very funny writer or is unwittingly poor!

Did he mean:
Unconscientiously- without due consideration/ frivolously
OR
Unconsciously - automatically

Conscientiously- thoroughly/ faithfully
OR
Consciously- intentionally

It's like the old classic pianist line "I am playing all the right notes, but not necessarily in the right order". Well Mr. Bowers could make the word consciously out of the letters from conscientiously- perhaps he was hedging his bets (dunno which word to use so I'll put in the longer one)!!

It's like the young boy saying to his dad-
"When I grow up, I want to be effluent".
"In the right job son, you'll be wading in it".

I'll leave Mr. Bowers with the final say- "any other activity that is worth doing-you should conscientiously know what you are doing and… be good at it."

Like unconscious writing errors? Quite right Toni, you tell 'em! :-)


*Back on topic*
I occasionally procrastinate, but try to address it in two ways previously unmentioned:
1. with the thought that people often regret not acting sooner in life and rarely lament acting too soon (referring to chronic procrastination over weeks and months)
and

2. consciously (!) recognising the underlying reason to the procrastination. This could be a multitude of reasons- fear of the unknown, fear of non-completion, assuming it's too trivial to begin, uncertain of subsequent reactions.


Perhaps IT leaders procrastinate due to their strength in recognising the size of a project/ implications to a change, before starting it.

[Rei]

I am a P, and I am an expert procrastinator. The closer to the deadline I work the better my work. If I ever did any schoolwork far in advance there's a good chance that I would never touch it again and just turn it in.

When I was younger the problem was that I was disorganized, not that I was a procrastinator. Once I became a just-organized-enough procrastinator who got a good six hours of sleep on average before classes, school became much, much easier.

The closer I am to the exam, the faster I study.
I got through 12 lectures worth of notes in the 4 hours straight before my exam.

It doesn't work that way for due dates though.
The last time I had to hand in a paper and my thoughts got more and more disorganized. Or rather, it got harder and harder to form sentences that made sense of my thoughts.

[Myrak]

Procrastination is a big problem at times for me. I think it's exacerbated by my rather good memory. Stuff like guitar practice (I only practice 1-2 a week yet am surprisingly good at it O.o), mathematics study (or lack thereof, yet once I've memorised the formulae and equations, the recommended multitudes of study seem somewhat redundant to me). And on the opposite end of the scale, shit like reading novels for english I just never do. I generally dislike reading, and especially moreso if I'm forced to read some random book, and analyse it as well. uugh.

Also, if I don't particularly care about a project, I'll leave it until the day before to do it. Nothing motivates me like the daunting fact that the horrible assignment is due tomorrow (and also it means I only have one more day to worry about doing it ^^). Also, if it's something opinionated I try to put my own touch on it, a bit of humour, sarcasm, cynicism etc. Makes it much more enjoyable to do.

However, if the project is something I actually value, then I will put as much time as necessary into it and continue perfecting it. This is probably because it has more worth to me outside of being a school project.

[Rei]

Procrastination is a big problem at times for me. I think it's exacerbated by my rather good memory. Stuff like guitar practice (I only practice 1-2 a week yet am surprisingly good at it O.o), mathematics study (or lack thereof, yet once I've memorised the formulae and equations, the recommended multitudes of study seem somewhat redundant to me). And on the opposite end of the scale, shit like reading novels for english I just never do. I generally dislike reading, and especially moreso if I'm forced to read some random book, and analyse it as well. uugh.

Also, if I don't particularly care about a project, I'll leave it until the day before to do it. Nothing motivates me like the daunting fact that the horrible assignment is due tomorrow (and also it means I only have one more day to worry about doing it ^^). Also, if it's something opinionated I try to put my own touch on it, a bit of humour, sarcasm, cynicism etc. Makes it much more enjoyable to do.

However, if the project is something I actually value, then I will put as much time as necessary into it and continue perfecting it. This is probably because it has more worth to me outside of being a school project.

I've never studied for a math test before. Until stats, because stats is different and weird.

I start research projects really early. Probably knowing I always over research... I spent a month researching my last history paper. I didn't get around to writing it till 2 nights before though. It was horrible, my cell bio exam was the day after the essay was due, so I had NO time to study for the exam. It didn't turn out well *sigh*

[banzai]

Interesting tidbit: I am procrastinating... right now. :suspicious:

Damnit, who am I kidding, I hate working. I hate it, and I think it's bullshit that there is supposedly some form of work out there that I will like.

I will tell you what I would like, to be able to do whatever I want... and I don't mean the sit around for years eating icecream and pizza "whatever", I mean go places and experience things at my whim.

Perhaps I should cut all ties to the ways of modern society and become a vagabond.

[Firelie]

I procrastinate a lot, but with schoolwork it always seems like procrastination when in reality I'm just taking more time to think about what I want. That's what I like to tell myself, anyway. :)

I have noticed, though, that if I don't procrastinate and I work hard on something, I usually look at it a few days before it's due, decide I hate the whole thing, and start over from the beginning. And...usually it turns out for the best. I don't get what that's all about.

[Rei]

I procrastinate a lot, but with schoolwork it always seems like procrastination when in reality I'm just taking more time to think about what I want. That's what I like to tell myself, anyway. :)

I have noticed, though, that if I don't procrastinate and I work hard on something, I usually look at it a few days before it's due, decide I hate the whole thing, and start over from the beginning. And...usually it turns out for the best. I don't get what that's all about.

YEAH THAT HAPPENS TO ME TOOO
Okay, though I usually don't look at it again till it's too late to redo it.

Interesting tidbit: I am procrastinating... right now. :suspicious:

Damnit, who am I kidding, I hate working. I hate it, and I think it's bullshit that there is supposedly some form of work out there that I will like.

I will tell you what I would like, to be able to do whatever I want... and I don't mean the sit around for years eating icecream and pizza "whatever", I mean go places and experience things at my whim.

Perhaps I should cut all ties to the ways of modern society and become a vagabond.

I'm procrastinating every time I'm on this forum. Which should tell you how much I procrastinate. (a lot, I'm always here)

I hate work, but I know I'd hate it worse if I couldn't afford to do the things I love doing (like spending a crap load of money on books every once in a while, and traveling, and donating money to non-sketchy charity groups that I agree with etc etc). THAT would be painful...

[steph with a capital T]

I think the major factor in my procrastination is perfectionism. If I have five hours to write a five page paper, I will take five hours. The first four hours are dedicated to perfecting the first page and the last hour is spent rushing through the rest because I can no longer afford to be a perfectionist. If there is no deadline, don't expect me to consider anything good enough to hand over to someone else for a very long time. On top of that, unless I internalize a project and make it my own (instead of some random assignment given to me by society or whomever it may be), it will not make the top of my priority list until crunch time. If there's an aspect of the project that I'm unsure of or that I could potentially fail at, procrastination is inevitable.

Advice? Perfectionism still makes me a rather inefficient yet quality employee, but I have picked up a few tips to help with the other aspects of procrastination. First, if you have work to do from home, get out of your house. Take your work anywhere else and bring only your work. I like cafes that have some people there but aren't incredibly crowded. I can sit there, sip coffee and focus. Second, really assess the work you have to do and figure out a way to make the project your own. For example, I've been wrestling with grad school applications this season, and with the deadlines so far off in the future, it's been really difficult for me to get anywhere with them. To help, I had to stop functioning under everyone else's advice and do it my way. I'm now only applying to programs that I'm really excited about, and I'm having absolutely no problem getting the work for them done in a timely fashion. Before that decision, everyone was telling me that I needed some magic number to ensure that I'd get in somewhere. I was completely overwhelmed and unmotivated. Last, keep busy by adding scheduled activities to your week that you enjoy. I find that the less free time I have, the less I procrastinate. The whole "I'll do it later" mentality doesn't work when you don't have the time later.

If that doesn't work, move to France. I lived there for a year and discovered that they do not value efficiency like Americans by any means. I loved it.

Every word, that is me. (except for the grad school part. haven't reached that point in my life yet.)

[Woo hoo, 1st post]

[WavesSootheMe]

Every word, that is me. (except for the grad school part. haven't reached that point in my life yet.)

[Woo hoo, 1st post]

Even the moving to France part? :)

[terencec]

I procrastinate a lot, but with schoolwork it always seems like procrastination when in reality I'm just taking more time to think about what I want. That's what I like to tell myself, anyway. :)

I have noticed, though, that if I don't procrastinate and I work hard on something, I usually look at it a few days before it's due, decide I hate the whole thing, and start over from the beginning. And...usually it turns out for the best. I don't get what that's all about.

I procrastinated a lot in school. I think it was because I was so afraid of failure (perfectionism). It is not rational to be perfectionist anyway.

I pick up something I like to read without procrastinating if it is not for exam/test/work because I don't worry about failure!

[Rei]

I procrastinated a lot in school. I think it was because I was so afraid failure (perfectionist). It is not rational to be perfectionist anyway.

I pick up something I like to read without procrastinating if it is not for exam/test/work because I don't worry about failure!

I think I sometimes procrastinate because I don't want to pick something up, realize that I don't know any of it (aka I have a LOT of work to do).

I also try to find out EXACTLY what I need to know before I start. Makes for more efficient studying :p

[terencec]

Interesting tidbit: I am procrastinating... right now. :suspicious:

Damnit, who am I kidding, I hate working. I hate it, and I think it's bullshit that there is supposedly some form of work out there that I will like.

I will tell you what I would like, to be able to do whatever I want... and I don't mean the sit around for years eating icecream and pizza "whatever", I mean go places and experience things at my whim.

Perhaps I should cut all ties to the ways of modern society and become a vagabond.

I have the same idea, do whatever I want. But it is extremely difficult in the modern society. I bet over 90% of people cannot do what they want. They just stuck in the work because of paying the bills.

[banzai]

I have the same idea, do whatever I want. But it is extremely difficult in the modern society. I bet over 90% of people cannot do what they want. They just stuck in the work because of paying the bills.

Perhaps most people, but I have a plan. So far it's working out quite nicely... just needs a few more years. :thumbsup:

[Uytuun]

I do it all the time. I'm in the middle of exams right now and completely angry at myself for wasting so much time before. I freak out less and thus prepare less in advance every year...it feels as if I really need the deadline pressure.

Can you guys relate? And if so, why do you think is the reason of this behaviour? Is it because of the extra challenge or is it some kind of absurd self-sabotaging...?

Bleh.

[MetalWounds]

I think we do this due to our natural confidence in our intellect. Yet the fact that the "exams are hard and if you don't study you will fail" mentality of everyone else hits you it invokes one response "Oh crap"

[OneBadMother]

I think that that overconfidence has always made me a huge slacker. It's not intentional self-sabotaging, because most of the time you seriously think you'll get it done on time and get a good grade anyways. And most of the time you do, or else you wouldn't keep doing it.

[DeepPurple]

I almost always procrastinate. For various reasons. In school, I did my best work when I was pressed for time. It usually works. I get a huge break and I run with it. Sometimes it came back to bite me though.

I put off other things like talking to people that I have a problem with, because most of the people that I want to confront are loud and aggressive and like to use the 'it was a joke' excuse. If you still have a problem, then they want to fight. So I don't even bother.

I postpone doing things I want to do out of uncertainty. I'll be psyched and ready to do something and then I'll start overthinking it. I'll come up with a ton of what-ifs and then say forget it or I'll do it next week/time and next week turns into next month...

[Sheepo]

I don't think I procrastinate, I mean .. I make a schedule for myself during exam times and etc. And after i'm done that [ the things on the schedule ], i do whatever i want. It might be perfectionism that's making you procrastinate D:, like maybe if you study... You'll think about the exam, and then.. failing. I just basically remind myself how hellish it would be for me if I don't study for my exams. Remind yourself of the consequences and etc. etc.

[Solace]

I procrastinate all the time. I'm actually procrastinating at the moment but then it seems to be a trait that plagues the P in me.

For me, at least when it comes to tests, I believe there are a couple reasons I procrastinate.

First, past experience reinforces the false notion that I'll be ok. I always have managed to pull great grades out of my ass so odds are I'll do it again.

Second, in stressful situations I tend to go into escapism mode which means any activity that doesn't involve the task at hand.

Third, as the day of the test gets closer and closer the stress piles on more and more because I feel less and less prepared and I go into a nice loop between 2 and 3, counting on 1 to save my ass.

It usually works out for me but I'm trying my best to change before post grad education starts. I have a feeling it won't be as kind to me as the college years. I was hoping all of your collective J'ness would rub off on me a bit, heh, but now I'm beginning to wonder....:thinking: heheheheh

[Zilal]

I definitely procrastinate with things I perceive to be difficult. That doesn't always include studying for exams, but usually includes talking to strangers on the phone (I hate the phone). I've been trying to change my habits so I've been doing an exercise where you break down tasks into small elements then write the predicted difficulty (say, 60%) and predicted satisfaction of the activity, then do it, and write down the actual difficulty and actual satisfaction you got. The most relevant part of the exercise for me is that after making the predictions I'm usually so curious I want to do the activity just to see if it matches up.

[Hdier]

I don't usually postpone studying; I just don't need to study. When I do, though, I do a bunch the first day and the last, with practically none in the middle.

For large projects, however, I usually end up doing them a day to a week before it's due (depending on the size of the project as well as the time alloted). I usually get an A this way.

[Capt57]

I definitely procrastinate with things I perceive to be difficult. That doesn't always include studying for exams, but usually includes talking to strangers on the phone (I hate the phone). I've been trying to change my habits so I've been doing an exercise where you break down tasks into small elements then write the predicted difficulty (say, 60%) and predicted satisfaction of the activity, then do it, and write down the actual difficulty and actual satisfaction you got. The most relevant part of the exercise for me is that after making the predictions I'm usually so curious I want to do the activity just to see if it matches up.

Good idea, I find writing things down gets them out of my head. Getting thoughts out of my head, even little ones, it very therapeutic and practical. The book Getting Things Done might be a good read for INTJs. I also hate talking on the phone but need to do this all the time for work.:thumbsdown:

[justmeiguess]

I procrastinate all the time, it's one of my worst habits. I've never needed that much revision (at least not the weeks that my friends seem to need) so I just set out say three days just before the exam where I will just revise. I also find it helps to study for twenty minutes solid, then take a five minute mental break, then another twenty etc.

As for life in general, I think my problem is that I tend to plan things out in my head too much so that by the time it comes to do something I can't be bothered doing it because I've over-thought it and am now bored of it, or I don't want to be disappointed with how the reality compares to the perfect image in my head. It's why I put off watching films that I'm really looking forward to and doing things that I really want to do. Reality is so much less perfect, much less controllable and certainly more hard work than life in my head.

[Capt57]

As for life in general, I think my problem is that I tend to plan things out in my head too much so that by the time it comes to do something I can't be bothered doing it because I've over-thought it and am now bored of it, or I don't want to be disappointed with how the reality compares to the perfect image in my head. It's why I put off watching films that I'm really looking forward to and doing things that I really want to do. Reality is so much less perfect, much less controllable and certainly more hard work than life in my head.

You make a good point that I can relate to. It seems I have to create these dopey systems or writing games in order to prod myself into some sort of action. Letting go of perfectionism has something to do with it but as you said...so does boredom. I love to plan the battle, sit back, and have someone bring me reports from the field...yea I expected that to happen...glad I'm not out there.;D

[rwyatt365]

I procrastinate constantly. Like others have said, it's because I truly believe that I can accomplish the tasks presented in far less time than has been allocated. I put off starting because I know that if I do the work in the allotted time, then I will be saddled with more work faster. So, if someone wants something in a week, I will deliver it in 6 days. That way they are ecstatic because I delivered early, and I will not be pressed the next time to deliver in the 2 days that it really took me to do it.

Remember that, corporate climbers!

[Pinkie]

I am procrastinating right now, but I kind of don't see it as procrastination. I've written all the notes I need for my exam tomorrow, and I know that the weekend gives me more than enough time to prepare for Monday's exam, so I'm just chilling out. I have a rule - I start to revise a week before the exam date. That's it. That gives me time to write the notes, and learn them.

Maybe I ought to learn how to retain knowledge as well, instead of cramming it and losing it...

[Hdier]

Yeah, long-term memory is useful.

I have a good long-term memory, but a horrible short-term one. It's caused problems, but it's better (in my opinion) than the reverse.

[Myrak]

As for life in general, I think my problem is that I tend to plan things out in my head too much so that by the time it comes to do something I can't be bothered doing it because I've over-thought it and am now bored of it, or I don't want to be disappointed with how the reality compares to the perfect image in my head. It's why I put off watching films that I'm really looking forward to and doing things that I really want to do. Reality is so much less perfect, much less controllable and certainly more hard work than life in my head.

Holy shit, you just wrote my thoughts on the page (thoughts I could never really express before either). Especially the part about films, I've felt that way for so long. This year I'm making it a goal to watch more movies (of my choosing, particularly mindfuck movies, not stupid 'action' flicks).

One more thing, I procrastinate on stuff I look forward to because I don't want to start something and not finish it. It's the slight perfectionism in me, if I haven't finished something I feel is important, it will keep plaguing my mind until I do finish it. Of course, if I don't finish it the first time, I'll fall back into not wanting to do it for the aforementioned reasons.

[dobbin]

For me, personally, academically and professionally, I know from experience that I will always deliver to expectation and deadlines. Therefore I procrastinate almost constantly and it is always 'factored' in to my plans.

When the time comes that I don't deliver then I will re-evaluate my plans.

[iamnotspock]

intj's put more value on the plan than the action. we make a plan and think we're almost done. oops!

i procrastinate b/c the execution of the plan is boring. it's details. the big idea work is already done.

[justmeiguess]

One more thing, I procrastinate on stuff I look forward to because I don't want to start something and not finish it. It's the slight perfectionism in me, if I haven't finished something I feel is important, it will keep plaguing my mind until I do finish it. Of course, if I don't finish it the first time, I'll fall back into not wanting to do it for the aforementioned reasons.Holy shit, you just wrote my thoughts on the page (thoughts I could never really express before either). Especially the part about films, I've felt that way for so long. This year I'm making it a goal to watch more movies (of my choosing, particularly mindfuck movies, not stupid 'action' flicks).

It's certainly a relief to know I'm not the only one like this.

As for putting it in words, I guess I just spend too much time procrastinating thinking about why I procrastinate. ;)

[fripping]

i used to be a terrible procrastinator but then i found a solution, i've stopped doing things completely.

[Uytuun]

As for life in general, I think my problem is that I tend to plan things out in my head too much so that by the time it comes to do something I can't be bothered doing it because I've over-thought it and am now bored of it, or I don't want to be disappointed with how the reality compares to the perfect image in my head. It's why I put off watching films that I'm really looking forward to and doing things that I really want to do. Reality is so much less perfect, much less controllable and certainly more hard work than life in my head.

Totally. I bet that many RPG enthusiasts are INTJs.

I also have terrible problems ordering my thoughts. When I think of a topic - like deep thinking - I see so many possible interpretations, nuances and links and it's very hard to capture all of them in writing, but I have to try, 'cause I couldn't stand providing an incomplete or inconsisten image. I wish I could just project my intuitive thinking processes onto the page and be done with it.

Default
For me, personally, academically and professionally, I know from experience that I will always deliver to expectation and deadlines. Therefore I procrastinate almost constantly and it is always 'factored' in to my plans.

How do you "factor" it into your plans?

[karen]

I procrastinate when I can't find anything in it for me. Otherwise I get things done way ahead of time.

[august]

I'm big into escapism. Currently I have two weeks of school vacation to find a job but all i've been doing is running away to other cities and concerts and friends. I'll find a job later when classes start and i'm forced to sit in front of my desk anyway. The sensation of escape is just so delicious!

I know i''ll hate myself for it later, but... oh well?

[Aurelia]

I can relate. While in college if the course I was taking was not particularly interesting or challenging enough then I would procrastinate. The classes I loved were the ones I devoted the most time to.

[Antares]

I procrastinate a lot. Everyday, I have about 1 - 3 hours worth of homework. I procrastinate until 7 pm THEN I start to do it, procrastinating at the same time. Needless to say, what could have been completed in 30 minutes took up 2 hours. All-nighters these days are not uncommon, and my lack of determination to finish my work before play is sabotaging me always. The next day, I would wake up groggy and disoriented, feeling like crap and sleepy in class, which is naturally unproductive. I can't say that my grades really suffered because of this, but it is still bad for me physically nonetheless. I don't leave anything undone and that is why my grades are still quite good.

[Bossy Mom]

I also procrastinate on things I don't want to do at home and at work. I always get good ideas for quilts, but I have to push myself to get started. Once I get started, I can't stop. At work, I get tired of the routine and mundane tasks, and leave them for last. I just want to do the interesting and creative projects!

[jaimenrique]

I remember that I used to procrastinate in school. I always studied the day before an exam or began to work on projects two or three days before the deadline.

Now, at my job, I find that I'm usually on top of things. I'm always thinking ahead of time what it is I need to get done and any problems that might hinder my progress.

So don't fret, it's very likely that it's just a phase.

[Bri]

To be honest, I think I work better under pressure for some reason. When I wait until the day before something is due, I find that I'll (obviously) work harder at it, and thus doing a better job compared to if I did the work a week before with little pressure.

[Femme de Homme INTJ]

Duh, I'm totally on this forum right now using it as a procrastination aid. Like I need an aid!

School is very hard for the reasons all of you have mentioned. I [B]hated[B], [B]hated[B] any repitition in school, so I would zone out or assume I already knew what what going on. I didn't mean to be so arrogant... But I did miss new things because of the assumption I already knew what was going on. It's very, very tedious to sort through a crapload of old information to get one or two peices of new info. I am just not designed to handle that very well.


The finishing things at the last minute is almost surely a perfectionistic trait. I can't even get started until the last minute. So, in that way, deadlines are good for me. I hate them, but I need them. When left to my own devices, nothing gets done.

I have tried really hard to do things ahead of time, to save myself from stressing out later down the road, but it just doesn't work. I just CAN'T get started on it until the last minute. Someitmes I think it's more than my perfectionistic tendancy. Sometimes I wonder if my brain just refuses to acknowledge the importance of the task that needs doing until I feel the stress of it.

Any ideas on that?

[coffeeloverfreak]

I'm a terrible procrastinator. And I don't need any excuses for it. I know it's just good ol' run-of-the-mill laziness.

But I definitely procrastinate the most on things I find boring. I rarely studied in school because I knew I could just get it done the night before and still pull top grades.

When something is interesting or challenging, I'm not as bad. If I have a big project at work, I'm usually on top of everything, making sure people are thinking ahead and getting things done. If a deadline is tight, or I'm less confident in my ability to wing it, I'll start earlier.

In other words, I start as late as I can to ensure success, and no earlier.

[Uytuun]

Aha, yes, I always tell my parents that "minimum effort, maximum efficiency" is my motto. :p

I'm not practical, but I'm efficient.

[OneBadMother]

Any ideas on that?

I would agree, FdHINTJ, on that last point. I'm not sure if it's perfectionism so much as confidence in your ability to get it done quickly and at the last minute. Perfectionism sounds like it would mean that you'd do it in advance so that you have time to edit and tweak things until the last minute. Deadlines are somewhat good for me too, but I do think that the best theories come from having all the time in the world to funnel information into your mind and think about it.

I think that all this procrastination is actually helping me with time-management. I've become better able to assess the amount of time I need to get things done, so that I know how close to the deadline I can get away with starting things. Knowing that I'm on top of my game like that, having free time to play DnD and MTG with my friends on the weekdays, and still getting good grades has boosted my self-confidence tremendously.

[JTG]

My procrastination is so bad that things i hate doing sometimes don't even get done. I almost didn't graduate from high school on time because of my grades. My GPA was barely in the top third of my class but i was still voted most intelligent >.>

I do have attention deficit disorder though, and haven't taken my medication for it in years. I hate the thought that i need a chemical to function, so i try my best to be productive without it. I just wish it was easier to motivate myself to do things i see no point in... like homework.

[Uytuun]

I have tried really hard to do things ahead of time, to save myself from stressing out later down the road, but it just doesn't work. I just CAN'T get started on it until the last minute. Someitmes I think it's more than my perfectionistic tendancy. Sometimes I wonder if my brain just refuses to acknowledge the importance of the task that needs doing until I feel the stress of it.

Meh, recognisable...methinks the P is pretty strong in me sometimes.

[Valentyne]

Hmmm, huge mid-term Monday, only 26% of the final grade, almost started studying, presently browsing forums...yeah, I can relate.

[JTG]

People study?

[Femme de Homme INTJ]

I would agree, FdHINTJ, on that last point. I'm not sure if it's perfectionism so much as confidence in your ability to get it done quickly and at the last minute. Perfectionism sounds like it would mean that you'd do it in advance so that you have time to edit and tweak things until the last minute. Deadlines are somewhat good for me too, but I do think that the best theories come from having all the time in the world to funnel information into your mind and think about it.

I think that all this procrastination is actually helping me with time-management. I've become better able to assess the amount of time I need to get things done, so that I know how close to the deadline I can get away with starting things. Knowing that I'm on top of my game like that, having free time to play DnD and MTG with my friends on the weekdays, and still getting good grades has boosted my self-confidence tremendously.


Well, see I wait not only for the perfect ideas and inspiration, but also the perfect time, oppurtunity, setting to begin starting things. Also, I am not a J. God, my life woud be easier if I were. I am P. P for Perfection, Procrastination, Petpeeve of the J World... I like to keep all my options opens just in case something better comes along. If I have to write a paper, I have to fend off thousands and thousands of competing ideas and choices upon choices. It's too much for an INFP like me.

[brainiac]

I procrastinate all the time. I tend to see the outcomes of whatever tasks I need to do, and over analyze things. Then I just forget it and put it off till it's near the deadline. I know it's a big problem that needs to be fixed, but I'll do that later.

[Jgib5328]

I never procrastinate. I'm the opposite, I get everything done really early. I'm currently 1 hw ahead of one class, another hw ahead of another one, 1 chapter in front of another etc. I always plan out my work and do it methodically, it's much easier and more efficient.

[Aesthesis]

I use to procrastinate, but then I realized the serious negative effect it was creating, thus I decided to change. Now I mostly get things done right on time or a while before it's due, but never late. The main thing that I had to account for was the amount of time I need to allocate for planning and thinking on whatever it is I'm doing. I usually start straight off by creating a hollow shell/outline of what it is I need to get done/what I need to fill in. Then as time slowly goes by, the ideas that are popping in and out of my head are carefully carved and selected until the shell/outline begins to fill up, then after varying amounts of time, I'll have a beautiful (well at least I usually hope it is, sometimes I really don't like what I see, so I start from scratch, wasting even more time) complete plan where all I need to do is just trim the edges with some editing. Procrastinating is definitely a vice that should think about changing if you're an avid user, whether or not you think it isn't doing any harm, only good can come out of changing (unless you're really, really stubborn to the point where you just completely shut down when any change you dislike happens).

I think I went off on a bit of a tangent there, but some of it is probably relavent.

[istheather]

I can be a huge procrastinator at times, however in the end it always gets done. I'm trying to be better about it, because my boss is pushing me to prioritize things a little better. I usually do my best work under some type of pressure.

[ElstonGunn]

Ehh, I'll respond to this topic later.

[coffeeloverfreak]

Procrastination gives me something to look forward to.

[IFearAManOf1Book]

What really drives everyone around me mad is the fact that I procrastinate, and then, though I'm stressing and rushing to complete everything, it has to be perfect!

[nickasummers]

I don't have a computer sitting in front of me at school so I play video games and browse howstuffworks.com at home and do homework at school... the day it is due. I get to school early and do my homework due during the first half of the day while other people are talking to their friends before school starts and I do my homework for the second half at lunch. If I have free time I solve my Rubik's cube and/or plot my domination of the world. Some might call that procrastination, I call it efficient.

[Uytuun]

What really drives everyone around me mad is the fact that I procrastinate, and then, though I'm stressing and rushing to complete everything, it has to be perfect!

Yup, I think this is why we can procrastinate like hell and still get awesome grades/results.

[errrzarrr]

LoL i seems it is common to us. I have something of that. I hate job too (bad trait, I have to fix it)

[BlackMita]

I'll procrastinate a task when I don't care about doing it.

Sometimes an ominous deadline isn't even enough motivation. Once I figure there isn't any time to finish a task to my standards, I just won't do it -- unless something really bad will happen if no attempt is made.

This means I basically won't do homework and assignments unless they interest me, or the threat of not doing them is worth worrying about. This was frustrating to some of my teachers in high school, because I blatantly did not care about grades -- the only scare tactic to getting pointless work done.

(forgot this was an old topic)

[True Rune]

...I need help.

[Metanoia]

I am a procrastinator.

Sigh, I really need help on this matter. I usually schedule all my activities in advance. I actually spend most of my time planning my activities than working them out. After planning everything, I'd end up not following my schedule at all.

I'll be very lax for hours until I realize that there are so manyt hings to be done. Then I would do everything on a hurry.

Thank goodness, I am still able to get by with this kind of lifestyle I am living.

[Tablelamp]

I used to be such a great procrastinator, I think was nominated to be the leader of the "Professional Procrastinator's Club" in highschool...
Unfortunately I do not believe I won, since the ballot was postponed indefinately. Of course the point might have been moot, as I was only up for nomination since I put off entering my club application until after I was already graduated. :cheesy:

No, seriously, I still am a terrible procrastinator, and my family makes fun of me for it. I just figure what decisions I make are my own, I just have to put up with the consequences, and not regret it.

[punkyplatypus]

I think procrastination isn't a trait bound by type. If anything, I'd say it's a J trait. To procrastinate means to have a deadline. Deadlines are definite and structured, something that J's put value into. And so, I think J's would be more worried about procrastination than P's, but I don't think P's are more likely to procrastinate. P's might instead consider finishing a project early to not feel bound by this restriction, because they value freedom.

I also suffer from desiring perfect conditions before starting/completing a project. It may be the night before a paper (which I haven't started) is due, and I'll waste time cleaning my room or doing something else. I think it's more about not wanting to do the paper than needing perfect conditions. If it were a paper on each person's Myer-Briggs type or something else that I'm interested in, I'd probably finish that paper on the way home.

[enfpchick]

Take it from an enfP, you intJs know nothing about procrastination!

lol i remember turning in a summer reading assignment in December

[Tablelamp]

enfpchick Take it from an enfP, you intJs know nothing about procrastination!

lol i remember turning in a summer reading assignment in December

Heh-heh-heh... you actually turned it in?
I put off a self-paced online physics class meant for a whole year, and finished it during the last three weeks before the deadline. :freak:

[enfpchick]

Heh-heh-heh... you actually turned it in?
I put off a self-paced online physics class meant for a whole year, and finished it during the last three weeks before the deadline. :freak:

Ya and I got a C
lol i thought she was going to refuse it
but i talked her and she changed her mind.

[Ezion]

I'm procrastinating every time I'm on this forum. Which should tell you how much I procrastinate. (a lot, I'm always here)


This. I tend to procrastinate something (intentionally) until the very last available moment, primarily because I have other things I would rather to do.

It's much easier to do something at any time except now.

[dogwoodlover]

Procrastination is the bane of my existence.

Right now I should be reading for Astronomy...

[ssrprotege]

Well, I am both a non-procrastinator and a procrastinator.

When it comes to school-work that looks totally unproductive, either I try to get it out of my hand asap or I procrastinate infinitely. I am such a master procrastinator when it comes to interpersonal or practical affairs. It's very common that I remember to email someone back, but I am into other stuff (self initiated projects, reading, work, etc) I totally forget. Even though I remember them, I am so busy with my work that I deem it as less important. I have been procrastinating doing laundry...yes, and as I write this I am still procrastinating.

Research projects and papers I start as early as possible. And then the thing is, I procrastinate revising and proofreading. Pretty much every time I submit my initial draft of my essays or lab reports. And I still got not-bad grades. I don't think this will work in college though.





ssrprotege added to this post, 3 minutes and 16 seconds later...

lol i remember turning in a summer reading assignment in December

lol. I infinitely procrastinated reading a summer-reading book because it was totally stupid. :) Thankfully, all the College did with the summer reading was a Class of 2012 Lecture. Because I deemed the book as full of rambling, repetition and beyond-idealism ideas (the author pretty much gave examples to contradict his idealistic ideas), I didn't attend the lecture. Nothing happened to me :p

[michael ingram]

I procrastinate on school-work I don't want to do, but say I have a weekend coming up where I'm doing a lot of stuff, I'll get it out of the way ahead of time.

But if it's something that I actually like, good luck tearing my away from it.

[Chucklebug]

Procrastination is one of the reasons I think I might be a P and not a J but I've put off deciding :wiseguy:. Actually I'm procrastinating now I've been trying to get my tax return done but it's soooo boring, I'll probably leave it half done for tomorrow or next week. I have no job nor am I studying and my procrastination has become chronic, I can't do the smallest thing without putting it off till the last minute or even a few days late. Is there a vaccine? Please....

I'm dreading uni when I procrastinate all my assignments away. That adrenaline rush is energizing but terrifying!

I used to spend my homework time devising tables that will help me get my assignments done correctly and efficiently rather than actually doing them. Planning the steps was so much fun. Yes I would only ever say that on an INTJ forum.