Procrastination Lecture Notes

Introduction

• Speaker: Tim Urban
• Background: Government major with extensive paper writing experience.
• Typical procrastination cycle:
  • Initial slow start with plans to spread out work over time.
  • Reality: Last-minute rush, often leading to all-nighters.

The Senior Thesis Experience

• Task: 90-page senior thesis meant to be a year-long project.
• Initial plan: Gradually increase workload over time.
• Reality: Delayed work leading to a frantic last-minute effort (90 pages in 72 hours).
• Outcome: Humorously received a call from the school about the thesis, but it was not a glowing review.

Current Role

• Now a writer and blogger, author of "Wait But Why".
• Interest in procrastination: Wanted to explain procrastinators' behavior to non-procrastinators.

Hypothesis and Brain Comparison

• Hypothesis: Brains of procrastinators differ from non-procrastinators.
• MRI study comparing his brain to a non-procrastinator's brain:
  • Both have a Rational Decision-Maker.
  • Procrastinators have an additional element: the Instant Gratification Monkey.

Instant Gratification Monkey

• Characteristics:
  • Lives in the present, cares only about easy and fun tasks.
  • Overrides rational planning, leading to distraction (Wikipedia, fridge checks, YouTube spirals).

The Conflict Between Characters

• Two sides:
  • Rational Decision-Maker: Focuses on long-term goals and planning.
  • Instant Gratification Monkey: Distracts from important tasks with immediate rewards.
• This leads to the "Dark Playground":
  • Leisure activities at inappropriate times filled with guilt and anxiety.

The Panic Monster

• Guardian of procrastinators:
  • Wakes up when deadlines approach, instilling fear of consequences.
  • Drives procrastinators to work when they otherwise wouldn’t.

Personal Experience with Panic Monster

• Example: Invited to do a TED Talk.
• Initial excitement turned into procrastination until nearing the deadline, triggering the Panic Monster.

Types of Procrastination

• Two categories:
  1. Deadline-based Procrastination:
     • Effects are short-term, Panic Monster intervenes.
  2. No Deadline Procrastination:
     • No Panic Monster involvement, leading to long-term unhappiness and regrets.
     • Often relates to lifelong goals, health, relationships.

Conclusion

• Reflection on procrastination:
  • Everyone procrastinates in some form.
  • Importance of recognizing the Instant Gratification Monkey.
• Life Calendar:
  • Visual tool to reflect on life decisions and procrastination.
  • Urges proactive behavior amidst limited time.

Final Thoughts

• Encouragement to reflect on procrastination and start addressing it soon.
• Closing remarks with humor.