Page 18 - End Procrastination Now Get it Done with a Proven Psychological Approach

xvi Introduction

In End Procrastination Now!, I’ll be with you all the way to share
ideas about how to follow through on what you believe is impor-
tant to do. You’ll learn how to end procrastination by following a
do-it-now path. On this path, you do reasonable things in a reason-
able way within a reasonable time to improve your health, happi-
ness, and a deserved sense of accomplishment. But first, let’s go
over some general concepts about procrastination. This informa-
tion will put in context some of the things that I’ll be discussing
in the chapters ahead.

What Is Procrastination?

Did you know that the Latin origin of the word procrastination is
pro (forward) plus crastinus (belonging to tomorrow)? However,
procrastination is much more than postponing something, and
the concept isn’t as simple as many people think. Here’s my defi-
nition: procrastination is an automatic problem habit of putting off an
important and timely activity until another time. It’s a process that has
probable consequences.
This common human condition involves a negative perception
about an anticipated activity, always involves an urge to diverge by
substituting something less relevant, and is practically always
accompanied by procrastination thinking, such as, “I’ll do this
later when I feel ready.” More than a simple act of avoidance, pro-
crastination involves a process of interconnected perceptions and
thoughts (the cognitive component), emotions and sensations (the
emotive component), and actions (the behavioral component).
Procrastination is far more complex than a simple behavioral
problem.
From a minor “later is better” procrastination seed can grow
a bigger problem habit. A procrastination decision to delay brings
immediate relief and hope. These feelings of relief and hope rein-
force the procrastination decision, making other procrastination
decisions more likely in the future. Following that, you can make