Why Procrastinators Are More Optimistic

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<h1>Why Procrastinators Are More Optimistic</h1> by Bob Clarke <div align=justify>Why Procrastinators Are More Optimistic When Facts Show They Are: Less Healthy - Less Wealthy - Less Happy It's well known that procrastinators do not get as much done, which often means less money and more stress. And not just for the procrastinator, but those who have to work or live with procrastinators. According to one study, in 1978, 5% of the population admitted to procrastinating, today it's at 26%. Who knows how much that is costing us! It's estimated that 90% of the population procrastinate at one time or another. Males procrastinate more than females, and younger people procrastinate more than older people. Psychology Today Magazine states that procrastinators sabotage themselves, put obstacles in their own way, and choose paths that hurt their performance. Here's why it's getting worse… Your health is suffering A study was completed over a 6 month period showing that procrastinating lowers your immune system reducing resistance to colds and flu as well as stomach problems. The same people also suffered from insomnia. Procrastinators consume more alcohol than they intent to, which is another outcome of poor self-regulation. Your wealth is suffering People who are sicker pay more for wellness and that increases the burden on healthcare, and insurance companies who raise your rates and reduce benefits. Late tax filers spend approximately $400 more that on time filers. If you don't pay your bills on time you are charged higher interest and fees, sometimes more than 28% interest and that's after tax amounts. It's no wonder the poor keep getting poorer. Procrastinators miss opportunities for free items, lose out cashing in gift certificates and cheques. Last minute Christmas shoppers miss bargains and quality merchandise even doing without sometimes. Your happiness is suffering William Knaus, a psychologist, estimated that 90% of college students procrastinate. Of these students, 25% are chronic procrastinators and they are usually the ones who end up dropping out of college. Missing birthdays, anniversaries and other important dates leads to broken relationships and resentment. Poor health and less wealth create low self esteem and added stress which can lead to unhappiness and depression, which means less health and less wealth. It's a vicious circle. Consequently… People are too busy at work and too tired at home, creating chronic procrastinators who become chronically stressed. This can lead to serious and life threatening illnesses, according to the American Institute of Stress. The American Institute of Stress list 50 common signs and symptoms of stress some of which are: Frequent headaches, insomnia, allergy attacks and addictions. Then why are procrastinators more optimistic? Well, it seems that procrastinators tell lies to themselves, according to the world's leading experts on procrastination, associate professors of psychology Joseph Ferrari, Ph.D of De Paul University in Chicago and Timothy Pychyl, Ph.D at Carleton University in Ottawa, Canada. Well haven't we all said it at one time, "I'll feel more like doing this tomorrow". And when tomorrow comes you don't feel anymore like doing it than you did yesterday. It was a big fat lie! And have you used these old standbys: "I work best under pressure - ah it's not that important - being short of time makes me more creative". All big fat lies! According to the experts you don't turn out to be more creative, you only feel that way, and you waste away your resources and get more stressed... And that's why you hang your head at night when the day is done and the work isn't. Five major reasons why you procrastinate… 1. The simplest reason you procrastinate is you don't want to do it. Why? Usually because of reasons 2, 3, 4 and 5. 2. One of the main reasons you procrastinate is you don't know what to do. The job or task you have is not clear to you and the steps aren't laid out, there is no direction, and you don't know where to start. 3. Another reason you procrastinate is you want to feel good now. But how can you feel good now when you have this project or task to do before you can feel good? And if you do not have a compelling picture of the completed task there is no promise of ever feeling good. 4. The fourth reason is fear of failure. And you can't even begin to consider being successful if you don't know exactly what it is you are going to do, and how the end result will turn out. 5. And the fifth reason is, like you need another, you have way too much to handle. You eat, sleep and breath overwhelm. Your prayer at night is "I hope I die before I wake so someone else this job will take". As a result… You will never know how much procrastinating has cost you. You can't add up all your time wasted, money spent, opportunities lost or emotional toil due to your procrastinating. You can't change the past but you don't have to repeat it. There is an old saying, "when is the best time to plant a tree? Twenty years ago. When is the next best time to plant a tree? Today"! It's a fact that procrastinators are made not born...we usually learn it in the family environment. That means we can re-learn a better way. Procrastinators are not bad planners or organizers. You must be an exceptional planner/organizer to juggle and put things off as well as you do. So don't run out and buy a daily planner to get organized or beat yourself up for not doing things because it's not about that. It's about getting past the problem of procrastinating. You can take the slow way and figure out how you procrastinate, what makes you procrastinate, and take steps to form a plan to do things better. Or you can hire a professional with the ability to do this for you, so you can get things done and feel good about yourself while doing it. So start now by considering how you will be as a person when procrastination and overwhelm is no longer a problem for you. "Nothing is so fatiguing as the eternal hanging on of an uncompleted task." -William James</div> Article source: <a href="http://www.ArticlePros.com/self_improvement/organization/article-64516.html">ArticlePros.com</a> <table align=center width=550 cellspacing=1 bgcolor=silver cellpadding=5> <tr bgcolor=antiquewhite> <td> About the author Bob Clarke & Ronda Degaust are Break-thru Coaches specializing in Emotional Pain & Stress Relief by changing behaviors & reactions. Contact Bob & Ronda at 902-835-1100 or http://www.lifepotential.ca <a href="http://www.lifepotential.ca" target="_blank" title="will open in new window" class=blue>http://www.lifepotential.ca</a> <input type=button class=asubm value="Other articles by Bob Clarke" onclick="document.location='http://www.ArticlePros.com/author.php?Bob Clarke'" style="height:20px;cursor:hand"> </td> </tr> </table>