Procrastination Is The Thief Of Time example essay topic

"A stitch in time saves nine". This proverb embodies a truth which few will feel disposed to dispute but perils of procrastination are there for every one. William Shakespeare called Procrastination "the thief of time". Students are legendary procrastinators and William Klaus, a psychologist, estimated that 90% of students procrastinate. However, artists and, especially writers are the masters at procrastination. Agatha Christie wrote 80 books that sold around two billion copies and yet put off beginning each new one.

Leonardo Da Vinci once had a seven-month deadline to produce an altar for a church; 25 years later, he finished The Virgin of the Rocks. Eventually it proves that time does just run out for all of us. Procrastination is a complex psychological behaviour that affects everyone to some degree or another. With some it can be a minor problem; with others it is a source of considerable stress and anxiety. The Shorter Oxford says the word procrastinate stems from the Latin word crastinus, which means, "belonging to tomorrow". Procrastination is the avoidance of doing a task which needs to be accomplished and is only remotely related to time management, (procrastinators often know exactly what they should be doing, even if they cannot do it), which is why very detailed schedules usually are no help.

We " ve all been allotted a certain amount of time. Sometimes it seems huge, sometimes, and usually in retrospect, it never seems long enough. We all procrastinate about different things, some people wont go to doctor, some wont brush in the night and some wont finish their homework. Teenagers have a magnificent discard for time, using it flagrantly; letting it seep away on TV and endless parties where nothing much is said or done. There is even a line of thought that says we procrastinate because it is our natural way of being, because it requires no effort- but those who think that clearly don't understand the effort it takes not to do things.

Procrastination can be damn hard work. The procrastinator is often remarkably optimistic about his ability to complete a task on a tight deadline; this is usually accompanied by expressions of reassurance that everything is under control. For example, Mr. John 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 towards completing the task, and work progresses. This sudden spurt of energy is the source of the erroneous feeling that "I only work well under pressure". Actually, at this point he is making progress only because he has no choice. His back is against the wall and there are no alternatives.

Progress is being made, but he has lost his freedom. However Procrastination has been linked to depression, to poor eating and sleeping habits, to feelings of being out of control. Apart from this the procrastinator may struggle with feelings of low self-confidence and low self-esteem. He may insist upon a high level of performance even though he may feel inadequate or incapable of actually achieving that level.

Secondly procrastination may be used to call attention to how busy he is. "Obviously I cannot do such and such because my affairs are so complicated and so demanding. That is why I am late, etc". The procrastinator may even spend considerable time justifying his reasons; time that could be spent doing the work. Further procrastination may be used as an expression of stubbornness or pride: "Don't think you can push me around.

I will do it when I'm good and ready". Procrastination may be used to control or manipulate the behaviour of others. "They cannot start if I am not there". Let us face it: deliberate delay drives others crazy. Finally, the procrastinator often feels like a frustrated victim: he cannot understand his behaviour or why he cannot get work done like others. The whole thing is a frustrating mystery.

The reasons for his behaviour are hidden from him. Strangely, much of what we remember as we get older hinges on early times. First, childhood, when our time was largely steered and second, adolescence when we are wasting most of it. Boy Dylan wrote, "Time is a jet plane, it moves too fast" in You " re a Big Girl Now, a song that will make mothers of teenage daughters weep. Why do students Procrastinate? We can have amble number of reasons for this question.

Experts say Poor time management, difficulty in concentration, fear and anxiety; negative beliefs, personal problems, etc may cause procrastination. In addition to this unrealistically high expectations or standards. Everything must go completely right. It may either imposed or self-imposed. The perfectionist is long on criticism and short on praise... If we are unhappy with someone, we will often withhold our best efforts.

For example, if you are upset with a professor, you are likely to delay in starting a demanding project as a way of "getting even". However, you are the one who loses; you are the one with the low grade. Lastly, by Self-Downing. This happens when you continually minimize your own skills and abilities and express doubt about your ability to succeed. A person who habitually puts himself down tends to disbelieve himself even when he is successful: it was "just dumb luck".

In addition, he may also find it hard to accept praise and compliments for work performed - false modesty. ("Wow, you did so well on the exam!"Oh, I just lucked out; I really didn't know it all that well". ) Procrastination is reinforcing - every time you delay, it reinforces your negative attitude toward that task. Every time you put off something you dislike, you strengthen the habit of not doing; practice avoidance instead of participation; avoid acquiring training and skills, and indoctrinate yourself with fears. Active participation in anything tends to give you a positive attitude toward that activity; inactivity helps acquire an unfavourable attitude.

Also, if there's a test coming up soon, and you MUST do well on it -- except you know you can't. Suddenly everything seems terribly unfair (class is too hard) and you become angry towards the teacher (he goes too fast, and he seems indifferent to my struggles.) The truth is, the sooner you get involved in your studies, the better you will feel. Hence, it is that Longfellow sounded the note of warning", Trust no future, however pleasant" and advised us to "act in the living present". Now we understand how procrastination works, and how we can greatly reduce its influence in our life, we will experience more freedom and greater personal self-satisfaction. Say I Love Deadlines..