Procrastination and the Instant Gratification Monkey

Introduction

• Presenter: Tim Urban, author of the blog "Wait But Why"
• Personal anecdote about procrastination in college
  • Normal student work pattern vs. procrastinator's pattern
  • Story of 90-page senior thesis written in 72 hours
  • Humorous twist: Thesis was very bad, not excellent as he initially joked

The Procrastinator's Brain

• Hypothesis: Procrastinator's brains are different
• MRI scan comparison between procrastinator and non-procrastinator
  • Both have Rational Decision-Makers
  • Procrastinators have an Instant Gratification Monkey

How Procrastination Works

1. Rational Decision-Maker: Wants to make productive decisions
2. Instant Gratification Monkey: Takes over and prefers easy and fun activities
   • Example of distractions (Wikipedia, fridge, YouTube spirals)
   • Monkey lives in the present, focused on easy and fun

The Conflict

• Rational Decision-Maker vs. Instant Gratification Monkey
  • Rational Decision-Maker sees the big picture and plans
  • Monkey seeks immediate gratification
• Dark Playground: Place of unearned leisure filled with guilt and anxiety

Panic Monster

• Role: Panic Monster wakes up near deadlines, scaring the Monkey
• Effect: Allows Rational Decision-Maker to take control
  • Example: Procrastinating on TED Talk preparation

Types of Procrastination

1. Deadline-based Procrastination:
   • Panic Monster helps manage short-term procrastination
2. No-deadline Procrastination:
   • Dangerous because Panic Monster doesn’t intervene
   • Leads to long-term unhappiness and regrets
   • Examples: Career goals, personal health, relationships

Life Calendar

• Visualization: One box per week for a 90-year life
• Encouragement: Reflect on what you’re procrastinating
  • Everyone procrastinates on something

Conclusion

• Awareness of the Instant Gratification Monkey
• Importance of starting to address procrastination soon
• Humorous closing: "Maybe not today, but sometime soon."

Key Figure:

• Life Calendar: Visual representation of weekly boxes in a 90-year life

Key Characters:

• Rational Decision-Maker: Focuses on long-term goals
• Instant Gratification Monkey: Seeks immediate pleasure
• Panic Monster: Wakes up close to deadlines to incite action

Main Themes:

• Procrastination cycles and behaviors
• The psychological struggle between immediate pleasure and long-term goals
• Long-term impact of procrastination without deadlines