BBC: Why do we procrastinate?

Let's make a start! I've got a deadline to meet today, and I haven't finished my work yet!

Let me guess, it's because you delayed, and delayed, and put your work off until the last minute- as usual! You're a real procarastinator, Sam- someone who keeps delaying things that need to be done. 

What can I say? I work better when a deadline is approaching. 

I see, but did you know that that people who procrastinate have higher levels of stress and lower wellbeing? Procrastination is also linked with lower financial and career success, so there's a lot of reasons not to do it. 

In this programme, we're discussing procrastination- the act of delaying things that must be done until later, ofter because they're difficult, boring or unpleasant. And, as usual, we'll be learning some new vocabulary along the way.

So, without wasting any more time, I have a question for you, Sam. The fact that procrastinating, or putting things off, is bad for us doesn't stop people doing it. According to recent research by DePaul University in Chicago, what percentage of people procrastinate so much that it interferes with their day-to-day life? Is it:

a) 10 percent   b) 20 percent   or c) 30 percent?

I'll guess that around 10 percent of people have a serious procrastination problem. 

OK, Sam. We'll find out the answer later in the programme. Sam is certainly not alone in putting things off until the last minute. Here's Ella al-Shamahi, presenter of BBC Radio 4's, Why Do We Do That? talking to the comedian, Eshaan Akbar, about his procrastination habit:

Would you say, Eshanna, that you're a procrastinator?

I am a serial procrastinator without a shadow of a doubt. 

Why? Why do you think you procrastinate?

Over the years, I've told myself that I procrastinate because I work better under pressure. That's what I've told myself. 

Eshaan thinks that he is a procrastinator without a shadow of a doubt, a phrase which is used to emphasise that you are completely certain of something. 

Eshhaan also says that, like Sam, he works better under pressure, when he feels stressed or anxious because of having too much to do. But maybe, also like Sam, Eshaan has a problem organizing his workload and managing his time. 

Hang on, Neil, my time management skills are OK, thank you! With me, it's more of an emotional response- I see a mountain of work, feel threatened, and think, 'how on earth will I finish all that?!

What Sam says is supported by a theory of human evolution which explains how putting things off is an emotional response. Back when we were living in caves, life was dangerous and short, and our ancestors were impulsive- they acted suddenly, on instinct,  without thinking about the consequences of what they were doing. Back then, being impulsive was a good thing, but in modern life, with work goals and deadlines, when we are impulsive and get distracted, we procrastinate. So rather than being a problem with time management, Sam should blame her caveman ancestors who acted on impulse. 

Hmm... Let's listen again to comedian Eshaan Akbar talking how he feels when he procrastinates: