As you scramble to complete the task, you might find yourself asking, “Why do I do this?” Well, you’re not alone. The term procrastinate was adapted in the 16th century from the Latin word, procrastinatus which means, to put off until tomorrow. So as a word that pre-dates the invention of smartphones and Netflix, it seems a more accurate question would be, “Why have we always procrastinated?” “At the core of it, we are an impulsive species, and we value the now so much more than the latter,” explains Dr. Piers Steel, professor in the Organizational Behaviour and Human Resources department at the University of Calgary’s Haskayne School of Business. “Typically, what you’re putting off is the opposite. It’s hard now and it’s giving its rewards later and that’s what we don’t like. We like to be given the rewards as soon as possible.” According to Dr. Steel, when we procrastinate we often find ourselves sacrificing our spare time in order to complete a task on time. Time is one of the most precious commodities that we have. And when we procrastinate, it’s difficult to be fully present in a moment. We typically have the task nudging us at the back of our minds.
The Procrastination Equation
The Procrastination Equation
Once a debilitating procrastinator himself, Dr. Steel explains procrastinating comes down to a matter of motivation. Whether you’re asking yourself, “Should I tackle that work assignment or watch another episode of my favorite TV show?”—you tend to choose the action you’re most motivated for. In his book, The Procrastination Equation, Dr. Steel explains the motivation to complete a task relies on four elements:
4 Ways to Hack your Procrastination Cycle
4 Ways to Hack your Procrastination Cycle
While the journey to curbing a bad habit is one that happens over a period of time, here are a few daily tips from Dr. Steel on how you can combat procrastination one day at a time.
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