Procrastination: Role Of Emotions

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The role of emotions is a crucial factor in exploring one’s perception of procrastination. TMT theory argues that decision-making is an integrative approach comprised of time, impulsiveness, value and expectancy (Ainslie and Haslam, 1992). Hence, an employee is emotionally involved while relying on the expectation of the result, the value it represents for an individual, time needed to achieve and the emotional response to delay (Rozental and Carlbring, 2014). Accordingly, Eckert et al. (2016) argue that emotions are critical when researching procrastination, suggesting that people delay more important long-term tasks to achieve short-term positive feelings (Tice and Bratslavsky, 2000). Tim Pychyl from Carleton University and his colleague Fuschia Sirois from Sheffield believe that it is through managing emotions, rather than planning, that procrastinators can best overcome their procrastination tendencies (Sirois and Pychyl, 2016). The fact is that messaging, watching videos, reading blogs, etc. may not be done out of a need for information (as it may seem at first glance), but as a way of protecting against or distracting from unpleasant emotions. Putting aside an important task could therefore be a way of putting aside disappointment in oneself in favour of distraction and short-term positive emotions (Ainslie, 2010). Thus, postponed self-disappointment acts as a negotiator between oneself and feelings of shame (Ferrari, 1994). The same can also be said for a variety of work-related situations that could bring about other negative feelings such as anxiety, disgust, sadness, anger, longing and fear. Supporting ideas mentioned above, Wohl, Pychyl and Bennett (2010) found that the process and aftermath of procrastination is accompanied by negative emotions such as frustration, guilt and anger. Giguère, Sirois and Vaswani (2016) similarly note that procrastination is often followed by feelings of shame and self-blame. As described by Eckert et al (2016), procrastination can become a destructive issue that leads to emotional, psychological and sometimes mental health problems. Moreover, procrastinators are more likely to suffer from anxious and irrational thoughts and set excessive standards for themselves (Ferrari 1994). Research shows that in general, procrastinators experience difficulties with self-esteem and often lack of confidence (Ferrari, 1991). Finally, as noted by Fee and Tangney (2000) and Schraw et al., (2007) negative emotions commonly associated with procrastination are happening on the intrapersonal level, showing that procrastination represents a personal, subjective and intimate experience often not seen by people around.

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