Bedtime Procrastination

An interview with Dr. Joel Anderson, philosopher, researcher and lecturer Universiteit Utrecht in the Netherlands. Joel explains the research that has come out of the Utrecht research group - Promoting Effective Intentions: Volitional Scaffolding, Implementation Intentions, and Bedtime Procrastination -  on bedtime procrastination. He introduces us to notions of volitional systems, extended will, and how we can nudge ourselves towards our goals. You will find lots in this interview while learning how we can take advantage of our better selves to work past our more difficult moments of procrastination.  You'll learn about the role of self knowledge in self regulation, and most importantly what might work for you. A reference I promised in the podcast today related to event segmentation theory: Judah, G., Gardner, B., & and Aunger, R. (2013). Forming a flossing habit: An exploratory study of the psychological determinants of habit formation. British Journal of Health Psychology, 18, 338–353. Want to learn more about procrastination? procrastination.ca The closing song is by singer, songwriter Matt Weidinger - check him out at mattweidinger.com

Om Podcasten

Dr. Timothy A. Pychyl, associate professor of psychology and director of the Procrastination Research Group (Carleton University, Ottawa, Canada), provides a series of short talks, interviews and question/answer podcasts that explain why we procrastinate and what we can do about it. An award winning educator, Dr. Pychyl challenges his listeners to explore their daily choices to act or postpone acting on their intentions. Do we head to the gym as intended, or slouch back on the couch thinking "I'll feel more like a workout tomorrow"? Do we tackle the task now, or do we avoid it arguing to ourselves that "I work better under pressure"? From losing 10 pounds to changing personal habits, Pychyl, a personality psychologist, focuses on the breakdown of intentional action - a problem commonly called procrastination. This series expands on three main themes: 1) irrational delay that sabotages personal productivity, 2) personality attributes that contribute to self-defeating behaviours, and 3) situational factors that undermine our ability to take or sustain action. Drawing on the research literature, topics include: self-handicapping, anxiety, self-regulation, perfectionism, will power, coping styles, effects on health and well-being, impulsivity, temporal discounting, motivation and even purpose in life. Of course, Dr. Pychyl doesn’t leave his listeners with the problem itself. Once these key factors have been established, he turns his attention to techniques that facilitate self change, habit-breaking implementation intentions, as well as strategies that help each of us to “carpe diem!� The emphasis is on self-understanding, practical advice and tools for change. We guarantee that you will find this an engaging series of podcasts that will provide you with tactics to increase personal productivity and well-being.