Procrastination - is it in your genes?

[Leigha]

https://blog.allpsych.com/procrastination-is-it-in-your-genes/

The article discusses that procrastination is considered to be a ''maladaptive'' lifestyle. What does that mean? 

[C C]

Many instances of maladaptive behavior already seem to qualify as prolonged practices or habits. So if there's any distinction at all between that and being a modifier for "lifestyle", then it might be elevation of _X_ to a personal attitude or mindset -- as if it's become an articulated individual outlook or philosophy. But I doubt that there is any intended difference, just an emphasis on behavior or tendencies being "drawn out over years".

[Zinjanthropos]

I would think maladaptive behaviour, genetically speaking, might be on par with any physical trait that could eventually spell doom for a species. In another thread I made reference to the Dodo. It or it’s ancestor developed flightlessness basically because it had no predator. This adaptation proved it’s undoing when a predator arrived, even if only by a chance occurrence.

So do we procrastinate on a global level? Lack or pace of action regarding GW, is that an example? We’re better at adapting so perhaps we can cope and survive, idk. (procrastination begets complacency or vice versa?)

[C C]

I would think maladaptive behaviour, genetically speaking, might be on par with any physical trait that could eventually spell doom for a species. In another thread I made reference to the Dodo. It or it’s ancestor developed flightlessness basically because it had no predator. This adaptation proved it’s undoing when a predator arrived, even if only by a chance occurrence.

So do we procrastinate on a global level? Lack or pace of action regarding GW, is that an example? We’re better at adapting so perhaps we can cope and survive, idk. (procrastination begets complacency or vice versa?)

A whole population procrastinating with global warming or another _X_ would be facilitated by cultural and language-based entities like ideas, memes, the momentum of handed-down political traditions, etc. But I suppose it's not impossible that individually accepting such socially distributed epiphenomena could be dependent upon figuratively clicking an innate cunctation switch in some people.

In terms of mass procrastination being a potential environmental feedback factor triggering selection of a mutation or eliminating an existing, widespread genetic trait... It might do that if millions slash billions of people die. But otherwise it would surely be too short-lived a population behavior to produce such an effect.

[Leigha]

Many instances of maladaptive behavior already seem to qualify as prolonged practices or habits. So if there's any distinction at all between that and being a modifier for "lifestyle", then it might be elevation of _X_ to a personal attitude or mindset -- as if it's become an articulated individual outlook or philosophy. But I doubt that there is any intended difference, just an emphasis on behavior or tendencies being "drawn out over years".

I like the sound of ''prolonged habit'' a bit better than ''maladaptive behavior.''   Maybe if I keep viewing procrastination in such a light however, it'll get me to stop doing it. 

I've found something that does work well when we're faced with a task that we'd like to put off - and that is to find a more dreadful task to carry out, and then the first task doesn't look so bad. An example would be, I've been trying to finish updating my resume, but it's such a pain. So, I thought of cleaning my bathroom, and suddenly, my desire to work on my resume came back. 

(I'm being serious, this really does work lol)

[C C]

. . . I've found something that does work well when we're faced with a task that we'd like to put off - and that is to find a more dreadful task to carry out, and then the first task doesn't look so bad. An example would be, I've been trying to finish updating my resume, but it's such a pain. So, I thought of cleaning my bathroom, and suddenly, my desire to work on my resume came back. 

(I'm being serious, this really does work lol)

I feel you're onto something there. I can remember some occasions where just getting the snowball rolling on at least one of the dreaded things that needed to done left momentum still going for dealing with the rest, too.

[Zinjanthropos]

TNT....Threshold of Nagging Tolerance. How much psychological abuse can you take in order to get something done you've been putting off for a while? You can put pressure on yourself or it can be applied by someone else, regardless it's all about how much guilt the conscience can manufacture.

In rare cases it is the absence of nagging that eventually gets things done. Not saying there wasn't nagging involved, it's just that a respite from it is enough for a person to become motivated. Tell a dog enough times to stop barking and it just might. Case in point: While my wife is away for 3 weeks I've taken the opportunity to paint the garage insides. I have been reminded of this for several years and for some reason I decided to do it now. Maybe I reached my threshold, just don't realize it. By the way it's looking real good. Little bit more to do....ran out of paint....i guess I should go get some and finish it....then again I don't have to right at this moment and my wife still has two weeks left.