Why do we procrastinate? (Medium)

Introduction

Why do people procrastinate? We’ll hear from a comedian who likes to leave their work until the last minute, and as usual, we’ll be learning some new vocabulary as well.

This week’s question

According to recent research by DePaul University in Chicago, what percentage of people procrastinate so much that it interferes with their day-to-day life?

a) 10 percent

b) 20 percent

c) 30 percent

Listen to the programme to find out the answer.

Vocabulary

procrastination
delaying doing things that must be done until later, often because they are boring, difficult or unpleasant

without a shadow of a doubt
used to emphasise that you are completely certain of something

under pressure
feeling stressed or anxious because of having too much to do

impulsive
acting suddenly and instinctively, without thinking about the consequences of your actions

gratification
feeling of pleasure and satisfaction

oodles of (something)
a very large amount of something pleasant

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Hello. This is 6 Minute English from BBC Learning English. Im Sam.

Neil

And Im Neil.

Sam

on, Neil, lets make a start! Ive got a deadline to meet today, and I havent finished my work !

Neil

Let me guess, its because you delayed, and delayed, and put your work off until the last - as usual! Youre a real procrastinator, Sam  � someone who keeps delaying things that need to be done.

Sam

What can I say? I work better when a deadline is approaching.

Neil

I see, but did know that that people who procrastinate have higher levels of stress and lower wellbeing? Procrastination is also linked with financial and career success, so there's a lot of reasons not to do it.

Sam

In this programme, discussing procrastination  � the act of delaying things that must be done until later, often because theyre difficult, boring unpleasant. And, as usual, well be learning some new vocabulary along the way.

Neil

So, without wasting any time, I have a question for you, Sam. The fact that procrastinating, or putting things off, is bad for doesnt stop people doing it. According to recent research by DePaul University in Chicago, what percentage of people procrastinate much that it interferes with their day-to-day life? Is it:

a) 10 percent?

b) 20 percent? or,

c) 30 percent?

Sam

Ill guess that around percent of people have a serious procrastination problem.

Neil

OK, Sam. Well find out the answer later in programme. Sam is certainly not alone in putting things off until the last minute. Heres Ella al-Shamahi-, presenter of Radio 4’s, Why Do We Do That? talking to the comedian, Eshaan Akbar, about his procrastination habit:

Ella -

Would you say, Eshaan, that youre a procrastinator?

Eshaan Akbar

I am a serial procrastinator without a shadow a doubt.

Ella al-Shamahi-

Why? Why do you think you procrastinate?

Eshaan Akbar

Over the years, Ive myself that I procrastinate because I work better under pressure. That's what Ive told myself.

Sam

Eshaan thinks he is a procrastinator without a shadow of a doubt, a phrase which is used to emphasise that you completely certain of something.

Neil

Eshaan also says that, like Sam, he works better under pressure, when he stressed or anxious because of having too much to do. But maybe, also like Sam, Eshaan has a problem his workload and managing his time.

Sam

Hang on, Neil, my time management skills are OK, thank you! me, its more of an emotional response  � I see a mountain of work, feel threatened, and think, ‘how earth will I finish all that?!’

Neil

What Sam says is supported by a theory of human evolution explains how putting things off is an emotional response. Back when we were living in caves, life was dangerous short, and our ancestors were impulsive  � they acted suddenly, on instinct, without thinking about the consequences of what were doing. Back then, being impulsive was a good thing, but in modern life, with work goals and deadlines, we are impulsive and get distracted, we procrastinate. So rather than being a problem with time management, Sam should her caveman ancestors who acted on impulse.

Sam

Hmm... Lets listen again to comedian Eshaan Akbar talking how feels when he procrastinates:

Eshaan Akbar

A lot of stuff you read about procrastination focuses on the time element of it… I probably got a better sense that for me it seems very squarely around the emotional of it. Perhaps I get more emotional gratification from doing it last minute. And, I need to understand why prefer that over the calm serenity of getting things done with oodles of time on my hands.

Neil

the same way that our ancestors felt good living on impulse, Eshaan thinks he gets gratification --a feeling of and satisfaction  � from doing things at the last minute. What he doesnt understand is why he prefers to under pressure, instead of finishing calmly with oodlesor lots oftime,.

Sam

Unlike Eshaan, Id rather finish my work relaxed, but there never seems to be enough time.

Neil

Well, breaking down the task into smaller stages breaks down the level of threat you feel from your workload. Also, forgiving yourself for procrastinating in the past helpful in avoiding procrastinating in the future. So, forgive yourself and start making changes, Sam, before you end up the timewasters in my question: what percentage of people procrastinate so much that it interferes with day-to-day life.

Well, I guessed it was 10 percent.

Neil

Which was… the wrong answer, Im afraid. In fact around percent of us have a procrastination habit so strong it makes life difficult. Okay, lets recap the vocabulary weve from this programme on procrastination  � delaying, or putting off, doing things until later, often because theyre difficult, or boring.

Sam

The phrase without a shadow of a doubt is used to emphasise that you are certain of something.

Neil

If youre under pressure, you feel stressed or anxious because of having too much do.

Sam

Impulsive behaviour is sudden and spontaneous, done without thinking about the consequences.

Neil

Gratification means feeling of pleasure and satisfaction.

Sam

And finally, when you have oodles of something, you have a lot a very large amount of something pleasant…. like time, which once again weve run out of. Im rushing off finish my work, Neil, but remember to make time to join us again soon, here at 6 Minute English. for now!

Neil

Bye!

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