Primary Cause of Procrastination Using Rogerian Strategy

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 between procrastination and the anxiety that is created by the looming need to start and/or complete a task or decision-making process. 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 such a negative perspective on the cause of procrastination. Generally speaking the most probable cause is agreed upon as a coping mechanism for stress and anxiety. However, no one really elaborates on the reality that this stress/anxiety could arise for a number of reasons. In some cases, the procrastinator could be stressed or anxious about starting or completing a task but in other cases the procrastinator could be stressed or anxious about not having enough time (and thus can't seem to start) or be a perfectionist who works much better under deep pressure at the last minute, thus, he/she is too stressed to start too early Coping mechanisms are often really healthy implementations in life as stress management tools. A procrastinator may be simply coping with a very busy schedule and procrastination, thus, serves as a way to prioritize his/her schedule and goals. The problem is that not everyone will take the same perspective about priorities, especially if he/she is affected in the procrastination.

For example, a procrastinator may put off his/her role in a group project till the last minute because he/she has two children to care for and needs to pick up extra shifts at work to pay the bills. Perhaps, a procrastinator may put off his/her family responsibility (i.e. grocery shopping for a disabled relative or taking a relative to dinner) because he/she has a role in a group project that needs to be complete. Chances are that the procrastinator has weighed the options and prioritize what he/she needs to do in light of the evidence and, yet, the person(s) being put off probably think negatively of the procrastinator. However, it was a coping mechanism to deal with the stress of having multiple things to do and choosing the best way to prioritize.