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Why you procrastinate even when it feels bad

TED-Ed

7.5M Views . 2022-10-27

Explore what happens in the brain to trigger procrastination, and what strategies you can use to break the cycle of this harmful practice. -- The report you’ve been putting off is due tomorrow. It’s time to buckle down, open your computer ... and check your phone. Maybe watch your favorite YouTube channel? Or maybe you should just start in the morning? This is the cycle of procrastination. So, why do we procrastinate when we know it’s bad for us? Explore how your body triggers a procrastination response, and how you can break the cycle. Directed by Vitalii Nebelskyi, and action agency. This video made possible in collaboration with Character Lab Learn more about how TED-Ed partnerships work: https://bit.ly/TEDEdPartners A special thanks to Fuschia Sirois who provided information and insights for the development of this video. Support Our Non-Profit Mission ---------------------------------------------- Support us on Patreon: http://bit.ly/TEDEdPatreon Check out our merch: http://bit.ly/TEDEDShop ---------------------------------------------- Connect With Us ---------------------------------------------- Sign up for our newsletter: http://bit.ly/TEDEdNewsletter Follow us on Facebook: http://bit.ly/TEDEdFacebook Find us on Twitter: http://bit.ly/TEDEdTwitter Peep us on Instagram: http://bit.ly/TEDEdInstagram ---------------------------------------------- Keep Learning ---------------------------------------------- View full lesson: https://ed.ted.com/lessons/why-you-procrastinate-even-when-it-feels-bad Dig deeper with additional resources: https://ed.ted.com/lessons/why-you-procrastinate-even-when-it-feels-bad#digdeeper Animator's website: https://and-action.net ---------------------------------------------- Thank you so much to our patrons for your support! Without you this video would not be possible! Sandra Tersluisen, Zhexi Shan, Bárbara Nazaré, Andrea Feliz, Victor E Karhel, Sydney Evans, Latora, Noel Situ, emily lam, Sid, Niccolò Frassetto, Mana, I'm here because of Knowledge Fight Facebook group., Linda Freedman, Edgardo Cuellar, Jaspar Carmichael-Jack, Michael Burton, VIVIANA A GARCIA BESNE, The Vernon's, Olha Bahatiuk, Jesús Bíquez Talayero, Chels Raknrl, Sai Pranavi Jonnalagadda, Stuart Rice, Jing Chen, Vector-Dopamine math, Jasper Song, Giorgio Bugnatelli, Chardon, Eddy Trochez, OnlineBookClub.org, Eric Shear, Leith Salem, Omar Hicham, Adrian Rotaru, Brad Sullivan, Karen Ho, Niklas Frimberger, Hunter Manhart, Nathan Nguyen, Igor Stavchanskiy, James R DeVries, Grace Huo, Diana Huang, Chau Hong Diem, Orlellys Torre, Corheu, Thomas Mee, Maryann H McCrory and Blas Borde.

Procrastination, the act of avoiding tasks despite knowing their negative consequences, is often rooted in our brains' natural fight-or-flight response. When faced with a challenging task, our amygdala triggers stress, overpowering our prefrontal cortex's long-term thinking and leading to procrastination as a way to avoid the perceived threat.

procrastination
amygdala
stress
fear response

  • Procrastination is the act of avoiding a task we have committed to, despite knowing it will lead to negative consequences.
  • Procrastination is not simply laziness, it's a stress response triggered by the fear and anxiety associated with the task, especially when we perceive it as challenging or stressful.

Insights from the Procrastination Explained YouTube Video:

1. Procrastination is Not Just Laziness: A Deeper Look

The video dispels the common misconception that procrastination is simply laziness. Instead, it highlights that procrastination is a complex psychological response rooted in fear and negative emotions. This fear, triggered by the amygdala, can override the prefrontal cortex's ability to regulate emotions and plan for the long term, leading to avoidance behaviors.

2. The Hidden Fear Behind Procrastination: Beyond Just Deadlines

The video delves into the core of procrastination, revealing that it is not just about avoiding deadlines but also about escaping tasks that evoke negative feelings like dread, incompetence, and insecurity. These emotions trigger

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