[English Conversation] Can you graduate from 'I'll get serious tomorrow'? The surprising relationship between age and procrastination revealed by research
Hello, this is Tanuko.
"Ah, I know I have to do it, but I end up watching YouTube..."
Have you ever experienced this before an exam when you were a student? Actually, this is a common human struggle known as "procrastination".
But don't worry. The latest research has revealed that this "procrastination habit" improves with age.
Original article here👉
We Procrastinate Less with Age — Study
(Research results showing that the older you get, the less you procrastinate)
📊 Results of an 18-year longitudinal study
A German research team followed more than 3,000 students who were about to graduate from high school for a whopping 18 years. As a result, an interesting fact emerged.
• Procrastination decreases with age
No matter how much of a "procrastinator" someone was in their teens, the frequency tends to decrease as they become an adult.
• Does entering society force improvement?
In particular, those who started working immediately after graduation tended to show significant improvement in their procrastination habits. Perhaps workplace responsibilities and deadlines make us "adults" little by little.
⚠️ The real impact of "procrastination" on your career
However, there is some hard-to-swallow data as well.
It was found that people who had difficulty breaking the habit of procrastination tended to have the following traits compared to those who did not.
• It takes longer to find a job
• Fewer opportunities for promotion
• Tendency toward lower lifetime earnings
It sounds harsh, but overcoming "procrastination" can be called a form of "self-investment" to protect your career and financial stability...
Well, that makes sense. If someone put off the work I asked them to do, I'd feel bad too, right? 💦
✅ 3 steps to "stop procrastinating" starting today
There is no need to feel down, thinking "I might be like this forever..." As the research suggests, we can change.
The article introduces three concrete and simple measures.
1. Break down tasks
Big goals are scary and often make us stop in our tracks. First, break them down into small tasks that can be finished in 5 minutes tolower the psychological hurdle.
2. Digital detox
Smartphones are your biggest enemy. When you want to concentrate, turn off notifications or physically place them in another room.
3. Use the power of "declaration"
Tell a friend or colleague, "I'm going to do this today!" The moderate tension of being watched by someone will give you a push.
💡 Finally
We learn how to use our time as we gain experience.
If you are currently struggling with procrastination, it is proof that you have room to grow‼️
Why not start doing what you need to do now, little by little, at your own pace?
Postscript
When I was a student, I was a "procrastinator" who would start cleaning my room only when a test was coming up.
But now that I'm a working adult, that habit has disappeared before I knew it.
Actually, it might be closer to the feeling of "I'm afraid I'll forget if I put it off, so I have to do it now"...
Looking at the results of this study, I was convinced that "that change was due to age and environment."
How about you?
☕️ Bonus: Phrases learned in today's lesson that can be used in daily conversation
1. Procrastination / Procrastinate
"Procrastination / To procrastinate"
This is the theme of this article itself.
I’m a master of procrastination.
(I am a master of procrastination = I tend to put things off.)
Stop procrastinating and just do it!
(Stop dawdling and just do it!)
2. Deadline coming soon
"The deadline is approaching"
Used when a deadline is approaching for work or household chores.
I have a deadline coming soon, so I might be busy this week.
(The deadline is near, so I might be busy this week.)
3. Instead of ...
"Instead of / Rather than"
A standard phrase for when you want to say you did B instead of A.
Instead of starting my work, I cleaned my desk.
(Instead of starting my work, I ended up cleaning my desk.)
4. Over time
"As time passes / Over a long period"
Describes how habits or skills gradually change.
My habits have changed over time.
(As time has passed, my habits have changed.)
5. Get rid of distractions
"Remove things that distract you"
A phrase often used by efficient business people when they want to focus.
I need to get rid of distractions to focus on this task.
(I need to clear away distractions to focus on this work.)
💡 One-point advice
Phrases I used in the lesson
I used to be a big procrastinator when I was a student.
(I was a huge procrastinator when I was a student.)
But now, I tend to do things immediately because I’m afraid of forgetting them!
(But now, I try to do things immediately because I'm afraid of forgetting them!)