Procrastination: A coping mechanism
Procrastination is a human behavior that results when a person avoids or puts off a task, (generally) of high importance, in order to complete tasks (generally) of lower importance Burka & Yuen 2008; Fiore 2006; Hsin Chun Chu & Nam 2011; Schraw, Wadkins, & Olafson 2007). Human behaviors are the results of choices whether those choices are completely intentional or the result of subconscious intent. Without getting too much into the psychology of human choice and behavior, it is just important to note that procrastination is no different than most other human behaviors in that it can result from conscious intention, subconscious intent, or some combination of the two.
According to Schraw, Pinard, and Wadkins (2007), three conditions exist as part of a behavioral response to make that behavior labeled as procrastination, listed as follows:
Counterproductive: Problematic, thwarting achievement of a purpose; tending to hinder or distract from one's higher priorities or purpose (Simpson & Weiner 1989).
2. Dispensable: Not essential; unimportant, unnecessary (Simpson & Weiner 1989).
3. Obstructing progress: Interfering with the pursuit of a goal or purpose; obstacle that partially or completely blocks a necessary task/goal; delaying progress on a task or achievement of a goal because of an obstacle (Simpson & Weiner 1989).
In this essay, the purpose is to acknowledge the different ways in which procrastination occurs in the lives of people and identify and explain the most probable cause of procrastination as a coping mechanism in human behavior that can have both positive and adverse affects.
Most probable cause of procrastination
Most psychologists believe that procrastination is a coping mechanism in response to anxiety that stems from the anticipation of starting or having to finish/finalize either an important task or an important decision (Fiore 2006). Fiore (2006), a facilitator of Self Leadership Seminars, Executive Coach, and Speaker, focuses on acknowledging the underlying mechanisms and influences of the behavior of procrastination. He believes that procrastination may be a partially conscious choice but is mostly a subconscious behavioral response to stress/anxiety. Fiore (2006) primarily identifies the underlying association...
Fiore (2006) also emphasizes that the nature of procrastination is to become distracted by lower-priority tasks/opportunities in replacement of higher-priority tasks/decisions that have deadlines.
Taking this theory more broadly, Burka and Yuen (2008) apply their experience and credentials in counseling psychology to engage the topic of procrastination. Burka and Yuen (2008) also believe that procrastination is a problematic behavior that emerges as a response to stress or anxiety. They address the issue from the standpoint that procrastination is a behavior to which anyone and everyone is susceptible, including students, scientists, administrators, assistants, executives, doctors, teachers, parents, salesmen, and all other persons and professionals (Burka & Yuen 2008). They make it clear that no one is immune to the behavior and that no matter how trivial a delayed task may seem, procrastination has consequences that often become problematic (Burka & Yuen). They identify manifestations of the behavior and a number of etiologies for the behavior. They also identify a number of proven strategies for overcoming the behavior, dealing with the consequences, working more effectively with people who consistently procrastinate, and establishing new practices for avoiding the behavior.
The reason that all of this is important is because most people assume that the cause of procrastination is always negative by associating its cause strictly with its consequences. For the most part, the consequences of procrastination are negative. Important tasks go uncompleted and goals face significant interference and obstructions because tasks and goals of lower importance take precedence. The problem with this logic is that occasionally procrastination may be the result of placing a task or goal (or responsibility) that the "doer" perceives as more important in front of the task or goal that others are waiting for him/her to complete. In general, procrastination is only a problem when it affects others, another key piece of logic. Some people procrastinate in their daily lives and it never really affects anyone but themselves while others procrastinate and affect other people.
It is this latter reality that creates…
