the early bird catches the worm, but the early worm will get eaten first!

The woman who called up about her husband and not filing taxes for years could find help for her husband and herself at a debtors anonymous meeting - http://www.debtorsanonymous.org/

"Do you have methods to overcome procrastination"
I think the Nazis had some good methods. Why reinvent?

"I take it back--listening to your show is not procrastinating--it's a great learning experience!

"I am a professor and was inspired by the segment. From now on, I am going to REWARD my students for giving in their homework EARLY"
Inspired by corporate garbage about proscrastination? Marching to some Orwellian tunes of eternal optimism and pomposity? I rightly tend to repeat that geeks shouldn't be allowed to vote.
dr anna

i totally agree with CHfromNYC. it is upsetting to the point of insanity to deal with someone with serious procrastination issues and you try to get them motivated by coaxing, cajoing, begging, pleading, knowing you will eventually have to deal with the fallout, which is inevitable

Dear Leonard,

I take it back--listening to your show is not procrastinating--it's a great learning experience!

I am a professor and was inspired by the segment. From now on, I am going to REWARD my students for giving in their homework EARLY!!! Hopefully, this will cut down on late assignments, which is always a burden.

Well, I think I'll call the station NOW to add to my pledge! : )

p.s. I teach math--sorry to hear you don't feel adept in this area--I'll help anytime you wish!

Procrastination is often because of fear- that you will be be unable to do it or not do it well. So you put it off until the deadline, thus in a way, dooming yourself not to do it well. It has taken me years to finally force myself, after an initial procrastination, to do the task in time, and then I have learned I feel so much better!

Here is a poem I wrote about that early bird thing:

"The early bird catches the worm";
Or so it is I've heard;
But isn't it the early worm
That's caught by the early bird?

Procrastination is linked to ADHD in that waiting until the last minute creates a 'high-stimulation' environment for the ADHD brain. High-stim environments trigger the ADHD brain to function better - more dopamine! That's why we wait until the last minute - it feels good to work under that pressure. ADHD meds will not deliver the same effect, so cannot replace the high-stim of 'the last minute'.

I'm a procrastinator, and my sig. other is not. I realized in the first year of our relationship that we would break up if I was always late for things (he thought my lateness was a sign that I didn't care enough to show up on time). He gave me a phrase that helped a lot when I am planning to get somewhere: "It's okay to be early." Sometimes when I am getting anxious about getting places, and what train to take, etc I have to remind myself: "It's okay to be early."

good grief. Being early is fine for MOST situations, but early to a party or dinner at a friends home id downright rude. Ask any host or hostess.

Come early and wait outside to ring the bell.

Also procrastination is a common well known symptom of ADD. Just heard it mentioned: what a poor explanation! Please procrastinators research this for yourselves..

My teenager is a terrible proscrasinator. He's applying to college this year but has done very little on his applications, one of which is due on Monday! What do I do? Nag him, bribe him, or just let him be and sit back and if he gets into college next year?

Nothing cured my procrastination better than having my children (now 1.5 and 3.5) - no one is more demanding than someone who is willing to throw a tantrum because you didn't get the food/toy/diaper/bath/etc on time (= their schedule). I wouldn't recommend this as a cure, but once someone is completely dependent on you and quick to punish you, it's a whole new ballgame!

How much do you think procrastination has to do the procrastinators lack in self-confidence regarding their ability to handle the task at hand?

The issue isn't only thrill-seeking. In some cases concentrating work into smaller time-frames, with time-pressure playing a role, allows absolute concentration for extended periods of time.

Early is not always better. I work in an area where rate and flow are important. One part of the work that is early results in waiting for the next area to take the finished product or for the incoming work to arrive. It's waste.

I think on time is the point at which to strive. Early is waste in many, many areas.

Elizabeth.

PS: If you are showing up for a party at my house and you're early you will not be invited again or I will lie about the time the thrash is starting. Being early to a party is plain rude!

One of the guests called procrastinating a choice, but it doesn't *feel* as if I'm choosing to put things off.

Are there studies of the rewards of non-procrastinators that may be instructive.

PLEASE discuss how to overcome it!

I have chronic clinical depression and significant brain damage in the area of the brain used for executive functioning. I am an ongoing procrastinator ... and can use all the tips and suggestions you may have about finding ways to help me out of the fog ....

I had a friend who used to procrastinate and then I found that she was dyslectic and had trouble ordering items and referencing time. Another friend procrastinated and he explained he was a perfectionist and couldn't move forward until the item he was working on was perfect, so I have found many reasons for procrastinating. In today's world were we are overwhelmed, people tune out and don't get to things. I some times have short term memory loss, so I do things immediately or else I forget them and never get to them, so I am the anti-procrastinator, except for the things I forget - so you can work around things if you know your short falls.

Hell is having to work downstream of a procrastinator (or waiting to clean up after one).

Isn't this classic add? No focus until diaster.

Only Robinson Crusoe had everything done by Friday.

Can you discuss procrastination in the light of delayed gratification?

Having severe depression, procrastination is a really anxiety provoking part of my life--yet I can't shake it. There are times I wish for death rather than start a new project, even though I know it will be done soon. Like my Halloween costume. It took all of 2 hours of work but I put it off for a full year!

I am a chronic procrastinator and I suffer the consequences. I am almost always late; I ask for extensions on papers, etc. It's not a matter of time management: I know what needs to be done and how long it takes to be get done. However, I still just don't do things on time.

I thought it was related to my A.D.D. (inattentive type) but even with medication I procrastinate. It is very frustrating and ends up complicating my life more and more.
---What can chronic procrastinators do to STOP procrastinating?

p.s. I am a member of WNYC.

Procrastinate now, don't put it off !!!

I have heard that in some cases procrastination is linked to ADHD or ADD. In the absence of an inherent interest in a topic or task, the ADD affected brain must resort to the anxiety of a looming deadline for its neurons to fire. Please comment. thanks

I run a community-arts center in Brooklyn where we work with 10-19 year old youth in the media arts and entrepreneurship. I think it's essential that especially in the artistic process there is room for procrastination. As much as we teach our students to be responsible with getting in homework on time etc. we also allow them the creative freedom and open space to prime themselves as artists. Often, I get my best ideas for art projects while I am procrastinating and allowing my mind to wander. It can be difficult to be creative on command and that kind of space is needed. Let's not forget that there are positive reasons to procrastinate on a small scale too!

Why is being early desirable? Just to play devil's advocate...Being on time is excellent, but being early is not always so. I have had guests show up early for a party, and it's awkward for everyone involved. Isn't the belief that being early is better actually an attitude, not a fact?

Someone who is a known procrastinator. What are some of the things they can do to improve there time manage?

The real question is" "How low (both intellectually and ethically) can Americans go?"
Now, in the middle of depression? recession? whatever? some retards psychobabble about time management(!!!!????)

I'm sure megacorporations would love to be rewarded for paying their taxes early, which would most probably increase everyone else's taxes.

Boy this is a waste of time.

I use listening to the Leonard Lopate show as my main means of procrastinating while working from home, such as I am supposed to be doing today!

Maybe I'll call the show LATER...

I don't know, maybe I'll get around to listening to this segment tomorrow.