Self Worth Theory: The Key to Understanding & Overcoming Procrastination | Nic Voge | TEDxPrincetonU
TEDx Talks・17 minutes read
The speaker shares insights from a seminar at UC Berkeley that reshaped their view on procrastination as a strategy for self-protection due to self-worth theory and competitive academic environments, offering tips to shift from avoidance to approach motivations. It is crucial to understand the roots of procrastination, challenge flawed beliefs tying worth to academic success, and focus on reasons for wanting to complete tasks to overcome procrastination.
Insights
- Procrastination is not merely a bad habit but a complex issue rooted in motivational dynamics, often serving as a protective mechanism in competitive academic environments.
- Overcoming procrastination requires a shift from avoidance to approach motivations, focusing on understanding one's reasons for completing tasks and challenging the flawed equation tying self-worth to academic achievements.
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Recent questions
What is procrastination viewed as in the seminar?
A deeper issue rooted in motivational dynamics.
How is procrastination related to self-worth theory?
It is a strategy for self-protection.
What is the key to overcoming procrastination?
Shifting from avoidance to approach motivations.
How can individuals develop awareness of their procrastination tendencies?
By understanding the roots of procrastination.
What techniques are recommended to combat procrastination?
Creating a motivational to-do list and focusing on opportunities.
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Summary
00:00
"Procrastination: A Deeper Motivational Perspective"
- The speaker reflects on a seminar they attended at UC Berkeley two decades ago, led by a psychology professor renowned for research on self-worth theory, motivation, teaching, and learning.
- The seminar significantly impacted the speaker's understanding of human behavior, particularly in relation to procrastination.
- The speaker aims to share insights gained from the seminar, focusing on a different perspective on procrastination.
- Procrastination is viewed not as a bad habit but as a deeper issue rooted in motivational dynamics.
- The speaker highlights the competitive and evaluative nature of academic environments like Princeton, leading to procrastination as a means of self-protection.
- A personal story is shared to illustrate the common scenario of procrastination, emphasizing the cycle of delaying tasks until the last minute.
- Self-worth theory of achievement motivation is introduced, emphasizing the need for individuals to be seen as capable and competent.
- Procrastination is explained as a strategy for self-protection rather than self-sabotage, allowing individuals to maintain their self-worth.
- Procrastination is seen as a way to create built-in excuses for potential failure while also providing a sense of relief if success is achieved.
- The speaker encourages a shift in perspective on procrastination, viewing it as a complex interplay of motivations rather than a simple lack of motivation or time management.
14:05
"Conquering Procrastination: Shifting Motivations, Building Awareness"
- Procrastination can be a protective mechanism for self-worth, allowing for excuses and testing brinksmanship rather than just knowledge and skill.
- Overcoming procrastination involves shifting from avoidance to approach motivations, focusing on reasons for wanting to complete tasks.
- Developing awareness of procrastination tendencies and motivations is crucial for overcoming them, as well as understanding the roots of procrastination.
- Techniques to tip the balance towards approach motivations include creating a motivational to-do list, focusing on opportunities, service, personal mission, and breaking tasks into manageable pieces.
- Challenging the flawed equation equating performance with ability and worth is essential in combating procrastination, emphasizing that worth is not tied to academic achievements.
