Many of us procrastinate. Now we know why.

William Atkins
Sunday, 16 December 2007 19:30

Science - Health

Reactions to Steel’s conclusion and formula have been varied within the scientific community.(Some probably have failed to respond, or delayed their responses so we don’t know what their opinions are, yet.)

Some are critical of his remarks, saying procrastination is more complicated that what he concludes, and that he can’t predict it with a basic formula.

Others are intrigued by the formula that might actually predict the degree of procrastination in an individual and in specific tasks. The ability for employers, for instance, to predict procrastination in employees is an interesting concept, to say the least.

Steel considers himself a moderate procrastinator. His desire to finish his research, for example, was influenced on how confident he was in writing it well and the prospect of getting paid for it as his deadline approached. Steel states, “You're more likely to put something off if you're a very impulsive individual.” [Scientific American “Why Do Today What You Can Put Off Until Tomorrow”

Piers Steel has a website called "Procrastination Central." Visit it at: http://webapps2.ucalgary.ca/~steel//Procrastinus/.