The Advantages and Disadvantages of Procrastination

Abstract

Procrastination involves an useless and unwanted delay, that can be either decisional, implemented or a lack of actuality. An essential characteristic of delaying is the acknowledgement of the individual that this delay has some negative aspects. As a result, this delay can be seen as an irrational behavior- the delay of certain intentional actions, realizing that this is in his/her disadvantage. This delay in behavior is observed in at least two ways. Primarily, during the implementation of the action, the person can deviate to an alternative action and even more tempting, delaying intentionally in an indirect way the initial plan. Secondly, from a long-term perspective, the negative consequences of such a deviation become visible, for example, when people postpone the visit to the doctor until the treatment is no longer an option or postpone the initiation of personal plans. In a longitudinal study, it was proven that the students that delay at beginning of the semester have created a stress free, pleasant situation, experiment that these gains are just for short term and have big costs in long term at the end of the semester.