The Procrastination-Protection Syndrome explains why we:
Borrowing equally from her own story of recovery from procrastination, composite clinical case examples, psychological research, and interviews with highly productive individuals such as Dr. Bernie Siegel, Dr. Peterson offers a way out of the tomorrow trap so that we can finally take charge of our lives, savor success and embrace our essential destinies.
Ever watch Star Trek? Well, even if youÆre not a science fiction fan, youÆll probably see yourself aboard the Starship Enterprise by the end of this story. During one recent episode, I was instantly reminded of the vicious cycle of what I call the ôpsycho-evolutionaryö pattern of humanity.
As I watched Captain Picard and his fearless crew trapped in a space/time distortion, unwittingly repeating the same events for 17 days in a row, I felt increasingly upset each time their ôdayö ended in complete destruction of the ship and its crew. I wanted to reach through the TV screen and say, ôBut wait, you donÆt have to keep repeating the same events that will result in your total destruction!ö
As Captain Picard and his crew became increasingly alert for signs of déjà vu moments, trusting that their instincts were correct, they were finally able to give themselves a clue to avoid the inevitable collision in this repeated ôday,ö and out of the loop they went —free at last from the ôthe tomorrow trap.ö However, after the ship had broken out of the space/time distortion, Captain Picard hailed the captain of the other ship and quickly realized that the other shipÆs crew was as yet completely unaware that they, too, had been repeating the same day — but for over 80 years.
So whatÆs all this going around in circles have to do with procrastination? Essentially, this book is the ôclueö I needed to give myself 20 years ago, when I was stuck in the repetitive, destructive cycle of procrastination. With an intense desire to write, I knew that something was wrong with my life, but I couldnÆt begin to figure out what or why. Although I saw a variety of fine therapists over the years, none was able to help with my procrastination regarding the writing process until I was ready to deal with underlying issues.
As an English composition teacher, I was also aware that some of my students had problems with writerÆs block and procrastination, and it seemed to have more to do with the student than with the writing project per se.
During those years, I searched for information to help sort this all out. I found some interesting books and excellent research material, but none of them started me writing again.
My earliest clues regarding what I now feel is the true source of procrastination came while researching my doctoral dissertation in psychology — a project in which I studied the relationship between ôself-monitoring styleö (how much of oneÆs ôtrue selfö is shown to others) and oneÆs level of writing anxiety, writerÆs block or procrastination.
This book is a composite of all that IÆve learned about procrastination — both as a survivor of this negative pattern and as a psychologist who has worked with procrastinators for the past 10 years. In my workshops across the country, I have seen the same patterns over and over again that have plagued me, as well as my clients. And just as Captain Picard invited the other starshipÆs captain aboard to help him out of his 80-year entrapment, so, too, I offer you this book to help you out of your particular prison of procrastination, a prison that does indeed protect you from facing the real issues underlying procrastination, but that also keeps you caught in the teeth of the tomorrow trap.
In looking at your answers to item #1, notice whether your procrastination related to one area, a few or many. If your problems are just with one area, you could be dealing primarily with a simple case of what I call ôtask-related procrastinationö (TRP). This suggests boredom and low frustration tolerance regarding an aversive task. In this case, the application of time management principles would help.
However, the more negative your responses were to items #2-10, the more likely it is that you may be experiencing what I call ôperson-related procrastinationö (PRP). This suggests the possibility of unresolved interpersonal issues (issues between you and another person) or unresolved intrapersonal issues (issues residing within you from previous life experiences). And yes, if youÆre really lucky, like most of us, you can have both TRP and PRP at the same time.
A few case examples will illustrate:Robert, a 45-year-old architect, relocated to Florida to accept a management position with a large architectural firm. He came for counseling at the suggestion of his employer, who had noticed that Robert had a difficult time completing tasks that involved minor paperwork or conducting meetings.When I questioned Robert, it appeared that he had no other problems with procrastination outside these to areas at work. Prior to being promoted to manager, Robert had shown no evidence of postponing tasks or low morale. He enjoyed the creative aspects of being an architect.
However, when it came to writing memos to or setting up meetings with the junior members of the firm, Robert tended to put off the chore. Although he would never be so blunt with his employer, Robert stated to me that these were ôboring and meaninglessö tasks that ôdistractedö him from his real purpose: creatively designing buildings and other structures. He added that although he appreciated the substantial hike in salary, he yearned for the old days when he could focus more closely on being creative, rather than on such boring tasks that he now ôhadö to do.
RobertÆs case is a clear example of task-related procrastination. On a daily basis he faced aversive tasks that prevented him from doing when he enjoyed. When we explored the fact that he was in a management position by choice, even with all the ôaversive tasks,ö Robert began to see his situation in a different light.
When I asked if heÆd like to step down from his new lucrative positive, exclaimed ôno.ö He said that with two sons in college, he and his wife had never had the money to travel. With his new salary, they were already planning a trip to Europe. I pointed out that perhaps all the paperwork was worth it, given the financial results of his management position. Reluctantly, he agreed.
What Robert needed was a daily reminder of these positive consequences regarding the performance of such ômeaninglessö tasks. I suggested a form of time management, a behavior therapy technique called ôcontingency management,ö in which a reward for behavior depends upon performance. It calls for breaking an aversive task into manageable steps, then rewarding oneself after each step is completed. Robert needed immediate and tangible gratification after each bout of ôboringö paperwork.
We decided to try breaking his tasks into half-hour blocks. He agreed that for each half-hour of time he spent writing memos, heÆd deposit $ 25 in a new European vacation savings account. For each half-hour spent conducting staff meetings, an additional $ 25 would be put in an account for one getaway trip each month for Robert and his wife.
Once Robert realized he was being amply rewarded for performing these relatively unpleasant tasks, he was able to execute his job well without the need to procrastinate.
Such cases of task-related procrastination are usually fairly clear-cut and relatively easy to remedy. However, in cases of person-related procrastination the causes and solutions are more complex. Another case example will illustrate.
Cynthia, a 2year-old computer whiz, yearned to be a writer. Although she had a comprehensive library of motivational tapes and books on time management, Cynthia was a classic case of procrastination. Not only did she put off expressing herself via her writing, she also delayed doing her job since she saw her work as an obstacle to writing her novel. To deal with her frustration, Cynthia often ate compulsively; she had gained 75 pounds since completing graduate school. As a result of her weight gain, she put off joining clubs and professional groups where she could meet men. She feared rejection based on her appearance.
Upon closer inquiry, it became apparent that Cynthia was trying to maintain her balance on a tightrope of approval — with...
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
36 of 38 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Tomorrow Trap: Unlocking the Secrets of the Procrastinat,
By Cassandra Barnes "Cassandra" (California) - See all my reviews
This review is from: The Tomorrow Trap: Unlocking the Secrets of the Procrastination-Protection Syndrome (Paperback)
Karen E. Peterson, Ph.D. suffered for years from procrastination. With The Tomorrow Trap: Unlocking the Secrets of the Procrastination-Protection Syndrome, she has written the book she "needed to read 20 years ago--while fighting a never-ending battle with procrastination."Rather than offer ways in which to change behavior, Peterson focuses on helping readers discover the emotional reasons for their procrastination. Once the underlying problem is resolved, the procrastination often disappears. Dr. Peterson describes two kinds of procrastination: task-related, and person-related. She emphasizes that procrastination is not laziness. If you are putting off doing "an arduous and unpleasant task," you are probably suffering from task-related procrastination. That's the kind that can be best overcome with a reward system. "When you start to feel extremely angry, victimized, or helpless," then person-related procrastination is likely the culprit. Dr. Peterson says this type of procrastination "protects" us from dealing with "other issues not yet faced." Understanding that, she says, puts us on the road to recovery. A psychologist and stress management consultant, Dr. Peterson uses case studies of clients to provide examples of how people can overcome procrastination and lead productive lives. Each chapter has questions that readers can ask themselves to help reveal the hidden emotions that keep them enmeshed in the tomorrow trap. She also provides exercises for freeing oneself from the past. One chapter discusses compulsive habits, such as uncontrolled overeating, overspending, and workaholism as facets of procrastination. Dr. Peterson explains how those habits are formed and how they may be overcome. Another chapter lists some medical reasons, such as PMS, ADHD, and SAD, that can lead to procrastination, and what to do about them. Procrastination creates problems in all aspects of our lives: personal, professional, and spiritual. The Tomorrow Trap provides the incentive and self-help techniques needed to "break free from the procrastination patterns of the past and embrace a new way of living, working and believing."
17 of 19 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
very moving somehow at the same time encouraging,
By A Customer
This review is from: The Tomorrow Trap: Unlocking the Secrets of the Procrastination-Protection Syndrome (Paperback)
To my surprise, I quite often ended up with finding myself crying while I was reading this book! I never realised that there exists any relationship between one's feeling of guilt and procrastination. Whilst confirming this relationship, this book made me realised how deep my feeling of guilt was. In a way, through reading it I felt that I made a long long journey from my past to the current time, connecting my subconscious mind. It was rather a moving process. 'Forgive, but never forget' concept really changed my attitude to a very positive direction. An example of a PhD student helped me a lot as I am also a doctoral student. I realised that all I got to do is just to write about something I have always wanted to write! Thanks to Dr Peterson, I have just submitted my PhD thesis.
16 of 18 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
I wish I had had this book twenty years ago!,
By A Customer
This review is from: The Tomorrow Trap: Unlocking the Secrets of the Procrastination-Protection Syndrome (Paperback)
Groundbreaking! This woman knows what writers are like and shows how to begin to break through some of the difficulties which are inherent to many writers/artists in achieving their products. Her analysis is especially poignant for those "blocked" by personal issues which prevent the action (writing, painting, interpersonally relating) needed to achieve their life's goals.
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