Why we procrastinate by Vik Nithy @ TEDxYouth@TheScotsCollege

Vik Nithy is the founder of 3 companies at the age of 20 including how own marketing consulting firm. His left after school Vik has been extremely successful despite being diagnosed with ADHD after finishing his school exams. Developing his passion for cognitive neuroscience, educational reform and the potential of young people.
In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)

[@ILoveCreativity]

I am procrastinating by watching videos how to stop procrastination

[@vidhiagrawal6369]

+ILoveTech There's always a comment like this on how to stop procrastination talks!

[@whoiscalling5998]

+ILoveTech I personally used procrastination bulldozer method to cure my procrastination once and for all.

[@Typidica]

+ILoveTech thats getting a bit old

[@juliunker]

wanted to say the same... :/

[@teairacurry4858]

Lol! No you didn't!

[@adityajoshi5]

My mind said "Just one more motivational video, and then I'll start working"

[@LuiKang043]

And while watching the video, absorbed all the warm, fuzzy feelings and said, "Cool story bro, let's chill for now....er..to think about it." to all the lessons from it.

[@arpsdcool]

LuiKang043 haha thats how i end up every time

[@EmperorsNewWardrobe]

There are other theories about procrastination. One other one that holds particularly true for me is that the debate in your head is actually the child vs the internalised authoritarian parent. In other words, from being treated like a slave as a child, a procrastinator has learned to rebel against the voice in their head ordering them to work.

[@AnkurBhasin]

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[@AlusineBarrie]

😂😂😂😂

[@stephaniejones3285]

It's 4am and I'm watching a Ted on procrastination instead of a paper due at 7am...and I had all winter break to do it.

[@TheClosetedFreak]

I had two months to write a research paper which I ended up writing in two days' time earlier this week. I never want to go through that ever again, but I know I probably will. ;~;

[@TechnicolorAurora]

2:46pm here, I have procrastinated a paper I have had 5 weeks for and it's due in before 11:59pm it is bad because it is the first paper for my tertiary level and it may determine my procrastinating habits for the future so I watch this for guidance to escape this hell :7

[@shaunl101]

TechnicolorAurora

[@Davidka1978Xoroshiy]

college is not about a paper, but about learning. what you are going through is your education Stephanie

[@stephaniejones3285]

Davidka1978Xoroshiy Hm, I wouldn't go that far. I think papers are a very important part of learning that many are forgetting is important. To be able to research and obtain further knowledge from the classroom is necessary in order to really love learning and care a bit more (at least it does for me; topics that I once has no interest in, intrigued me when I researched them myself). Papers are a way for voices and ideas to be heard. I like the idea of kids my age looking out in current events or even way back in history and trying to sculpt their own conclusions and beliefs from it is very interesting. For this one time, I can't blame it on the education system. It was all my fault I procrastinated so long (and got a less than desirable grade) haha

[@Coop772]

This video has been in my "watch later" list for over a week :/

[@rajneesh9860]

And mine for one month

[@Atymtayeva]

😂

[@rolypoly5642]

You guys check your watch later??

[@DaveBassDotCom]

5:00 - "Perfectionists use procrastination as a self-handicapping tool to avoid personal failure." Brilliant.

[@janaltus]

Ouch! Truth hurts. This is the story of my life.

[@RialuCaos]

Odd since I'm a perfectionist but have never used procrastination as a justification for failure.

[@DaveBassDotCom]

私 Excellent, then! Keep up the good work.

[@peaceandquiet]

He looks like the young Indian brother of Ross Geller :P

[@shreyasrajapurkar3816]

PaCmAn Is My iDoL aNd FlOyd Is A pUsSy perfectly described lmao

[@indianlife1435]

Ha I thought the same thing

[@justiny.8883]

Chester

[@whowhat845]

i clicked on this video just to see if anyone commented this lol

[@manasajayasri]

o my god! I thought the same!!! lol

[@KhazWolf]

This video is a great way to procrastinate for ten minutes

[@yashagarwal8249]

lol

[@GodOfTheInternets]

yiff in hell furfag

[@KhazWolf]

GodOfTheInternets Mmkay. Everyone knows hell is where all the fun people end up.

[@GodOfTheInternets]

KhazWolf There's no hell. It's a metaphor, you disgusting freak of nature.

[@KhazWolf]

GodOfTheInternets The conversation is over bro. I don't know if you missed it back there but I won. Bye.

[@MikeKincaid79]

Founder of 3 companies by the age of 20. I'm motivated just by that.

[@Cumbemoz]

3 Years Later What Have you Accomplished?

[@Meisterling]

lol

[@nishchald7400]

just starting a company isn't hard. Growing and maintaining it, is.

[@duhreel1]

6 years later you procrastinate on responding to these comments

[@shagreezz3389]

Headphone users beware of the clapping at the end

[@Windshadow415]

I read this too late :(

[@shagreezz3389]

Kshitij Agrawal lol hey i had to go through it

[@smahane5664]

am actually wearing a headphone now, thanks dude :)

[@ca9428]

Oh my God. I'm not even wearing headphones and that nearly gave me a heart attack. The applause is like 10x the volume of the rest of that video.

[@leengkhiam1963]

thanks for the warning: )

[@cameronkohlmann5496]

Watching this instead of doing my homework THE IRONY!

[@SunnflowerCanon]

same here

[@Krishna-op7ff]

5:54 how to overcome procrastination? 1. Plan Goal 2. Plan Time 3. Plan Resources 4. Plan Process 5. Plan for Distractions 6. Plan for Failure.

[@v.dargain1678]

. . . And staying away from foods and lifestyles that contribute to brain fog , if you can , will diminish prorastination too . Brain fog is side effect of many illnesses .

[@Tony_Leigh_Gaming]

I just realized that I'm watching this video when I should be doing homework.

[@daniellopes8756]

Yes

[@vinodkumarchouhan2592]

+anNormalGuy Hilarious bro :D

[@GenerationX1984]

How many of you are procrastinating by watching a video about procrastinating? Get back to work! (cracks whip)

[@amyla7633]

Chris Tubestinks Actually, it would really help if someone was standing there threatening me with a whip. Like, literally.

[@eyeslesstongue1327]

Shoot! How did you know?

[@kweju3]

Chris Tubestinks I confess...I'm killing time and have a stress group to prepare for.

[@blackhawkX02]

+Chris Tubestinks I actually wish i had a trainer with a whip using it every time i procastinate, my life would be much better in the long run

[@zimi4474]

No pls no I don't wanna do work

[@skypeyousoon5717]

Solution? 1. Turn on music to quietly play in the background. 2. Get rid of all close distractions. 3. Have a small snack and water or drink near you so you don't get up for any reason. 4. Start on something for just five minutes. Five minutes is the time it takes for you to actually get hooked onto finishing a task. Just think about only spending five minutes on the task and try your best to finish.

[@skypeyousoon5717]

Renato Vargas There is a difference between not having the willpower to start and just being lazy.

[@skypeyousoon5717]

Renato Vargas I hope you overcome it when the times are necessary and you do your best. Keep trying and try to start a task for 5 minutes. That is the activation time it takes for you to decide to finish it.

[@rajkumarsingh730]

Thanks...its really helpful

[@skypeyousoon5717]

Rajkumar Singh I procrastinate too, but if you think about doing it for only five minutes, your activation energy kicks in and you tend to want to just finish it to get it out of the way. Hope it helped.

[@Ankit5311]

***** taking a bath clears off the mind. Before bath make your work environment. During bath plan what you are going to do and have positive thoughts and focus . Then just do it. p.s- you can do it two times a day easily before you start your working shift. One in afternoon and one in evening.And its just personal opinion.

[@sandgar1001]

I'm procrastinating now......

[@jordyliterario]

Ye Oo Same

[@williamweimian]

Me too

[@alicjagryzbowski964]

+Ye Oo yeahhhh

[@nashelsegrenville7984]

Sigh... It's sad that so many of us procrastinating while watching this

[@sandgar1001]

Oh god... what did I do to people???

[@vclarke4433]

Who else should be doing work right now?

[@dhruvkhurana6058]

This video is the 382nd video in my watch later playlist

[@Earth098]

You are not alone :-)

[@partypoison3167]

I have a fucking report due tomorrow what am I doing here

[@lemahanslemahans7769]

Lol

[@luzst7200]

lol your profile i fucking love it. i have an exam tomorrow i didn't study yet and it's 20:55 i will fail hard

[@ayushbaral8269]

+sorry i am fucked up I am keen to know about your performance. How did it go?

[@krishnapriyah6454]

Party Poison I have my main xams tomorrow 😂

[@djamiljo93]

Easier said than done :/ I also procrastinate on planing to stop procratinating and I procrastinate by searching on the internet for ways to break my procrastination :P

[@72Yonatan]

This is a wonderful presentation from a young man who has something positive to say about how people can address their inner fears of failure which lead to procrastination. I found it humorous and also wise at the same time. Our Jewish sages said that a wise man should know his animal, and my teacher said this refers to each person's nefesh behemit, his animal nature. This is also known as the yetzer ha-ra.

[@camabelu1]

I'm fascinated by what you wrote. It has never occurred to me (and now that I've come across it, it's hard to imagine how I've managed to avoid thinking about it) that it is wise to know one's animal nature. It makes perfect sense and it strikes me that it would be quite helpful in going about this adventure of living a good life. The problem is, although I'm reasonably intelligent, for the life of me I haven't a clue how to even begin to do it. I'm hoping you'll take a moment to enlighten me. I agree, by the way. Kudos to this young man for having the courage, at his age, to stand in front of an audience and give that talk.

[@72Yonatan]

***** : I am not certain how much we can learn here in this format. But probably we are talking about reading literature which assumes that human beings must struggle with their inner fears and doubts - that is usually the most common form of the "animal nature" that I can think of off the top of my head. Freud called the inner psyche 'the unconscious" or the ID. But a lot more sophisticated literature has been written since his insights. Three starter books which I recommend are Coming to Our Senses by Morris Berman, Robert Ornstein's The Psychology of Consciousness, and Suzi Gablik's book, The Reenchantment of Art. I liked Gablik's book the best because she talks about how to apply her ideas to a practical matter. But on a simple level, we each have a lower physical nature, and a higher spiritual nature, which need to be in balance. When we starve the physical in pursuit of spiritual elevation, this can only be a temporary stop, and not a path, because we must preserve and take care of our physical nature in order to continue acting as a nefesh ( a container or a form for the spirit). We must be aware of the needs of both natures in order to achieve a path of personal harmony. The impulse to evil, as the Hebrew bible calls the animal nature, distracts us from achieving perfect harmony because of its constant demands, which are never satisfied. In order to have a successful travel on the path of life, one must control the animal nature and put it to the service of the higher nature. But avoid all techniques that argue for austerity or deprivation. Jews have one major fast day, for example, and we do that as a community, which makes it less difficult. I have friends who have attempted regular weekly fasting, to combat some illness or another, and for some people this works, while others cannot abide by any diet. Obviously, excess behaviors can be harmful, and should be avoided. If one can eat slightly less than he thinks he needs while preparing a meal, this is probably about right. Again, these details vary for each person. That is why self-knowledge is knowing what works for you. What brings you the best health and joy is also the best for you spiritually. I know that sounds risky to some people, but it is solid advice, and we can find proverbs and other sections of the bible to back it up if you need that.

[@camabelu1]

72Yonatan Thanks for the thoughtful reply. I don't know whether to feel relieved or disappointed that I'm actually very familiar with what you're describing when you talk about our animal nature. I just haven't heard it referred to that way. (Relieved because it seemed a rather large concept to have completely missed at my age and disappointed because I was really looking forward to learning something brand new.) If you take a look at the kinds of sites I visit, you'll quickly see that we are on very similar paths in all the ways that are the most important. I haven't chosen a religion in this life but I respect those who find them useful in the journey (as long as they aren't used to defend violence which I find deplorable and, frankly, amazing in its obvious (to most people) contradiction in terms - to put it badly). I agree with everything you said. I've always liked the quote: "Everything in moderation, including moderation." It's been attributed to a few people so I'm not sure where it originated. By the way, I've read Robert Ornstein's, The Psychology of Consciousness. I'll check out the third one - the one you specifically recommended.

[@72Yonatan]

***** - There is a book that I did not mention which I found fascinating, about neuro-linguistic programming, entitled Frogs into Princes, by two authors: Richard Bandler and John Grinder. It was published in 1979 so it should be available in used book stores. I believe that we are being led to the slaughter, so to speak, by the subliminal and verbal messages from mainstream media, and that we need to take back our autonomy and be the one who defines who we are. The media wants passive consumers, obviously. But we should act in our own personal interests. That is my take. But it is insidious how many verbal arrows have been fired at us, and we can strip away those damaging messages and get more joy out of life as we filter the extraneous rubbish away.

[@camabelu1]

72Yonatan I'm a voracious reader and I'll have a look on Amazon for that book. It seems our views are very closely aligned. Although there is no question that there is a lot of fear and horror on offer in this world, I am firm in my conviction that, with every passing day, more people are waking from the brainwashing-induced sleep that's present everywhere and learning to think for themselves. When I consider the notable difference in numbers of people finally recognizing what has been done to us through methods like the ones you mentioned and others (the educational system is another), even just between now and only a year ago, I feel encouraged. I believe we are fast approaching a critical mass in thinking that will bring about changes for the better in ways we can't yet even imagine. I know there are plenty who would say I'm far too optimistic but I don't mind. To focus on what is wrong can only make things continue to worsen to the point of collapse. And I heard or read something many years ago that really struck a chord with me: "there is no such thing as 'false hope'. The two words are mutually exclusive."

[@Liam2621]

ill watch it later

[@arthez2436]

haha I watched it 5months after I found it, since then I had it in the 'watch later' playlist, but well I did it!

[@ohtebowah]

***** LOL SAME HERE

[@blackhawkX02]

This is my number 15 or 20 tab opened in Firefox, it's been two weeks since i haven't checked the older tabs.....oh my god....

[@AnnebelBuntOnline]

+BlackhawkX02 omg the struggles are real >.< samee

[@emmahawfinch6455]

+BlackhawkX02 Me personal "record" was around 50. My laptop almost stopped working at the moment. ;((

[@yukito4200]

+Emma Hawfinch Mine is 125.

[@blackhawkX02]

I finally finished with the first 20 tabs i had long a ago. But i reached 50 tabs now xD but this time is a bunch of stuff about school that i haven't got a chance to check :s

[@quaddamage4781]

+BlackhawkX02 After reading these comments I really felt the urge to make some archeological research: checking my tabs. Right now I have 509 of them. It was really fun to browse through them, memories came back, hehe. "I wanted to do this... and that...!" Everything was beautifully layered. And this tab was number four. Every time when my Firefox greeted me with the "oops, there is something wrong" screen I saw this tab... "why we procrastinate...?" - and even the irony wasn't strong enough to make me watch the video. But today is really different for some reason. Firefox gone "oops" again, and there was no question whether I'll watch the video or not - I instantly clicked the tab. While browsing my tab I even begin thinking that I should recheck and filter them. I guess I'll start right now. After playing a bit Doom, of course. :D (Just joking. :D)

[@ShadowCrowX]

Stefan Molyneux has a good theory on why we procrastinate. Basically it's because we order ourselves around almost in the same way our parents would when we were young. So we've internalized that dichotomy and treat ourselves as slaves to our own internal masters. The trick to solving procrastination? Learn that there is nothing you have to do in life except die. You don't have to shower, consequence you stink, you don't have to work, consequence is you lose your job and money, etc etc There are no have to's anywhere else in life, but death. Everything else is completely up to you! Do what you wanna do when the fuck you wanna do it!

[@OriginalRipndip]

That's a horrible way of being productive

[@ShadowCrowX]

OriginalRipndip actually, it's probably the best solution as opposed to guilting yourself for simply not being productive, as most procrastinators do.

[@OrvilleScott]

+ShadowCrowX Interesting

[@yukito4200]

I used to see procrastination as a way of dumping your responsibilities on someone else. It's just that that other person is your "future self". You're disconnected from that person because you're not "them" right now. You, who's unconscious in the future and only aware in the present, say stuff like "the me 5 minutes from now who's listened to this song will be better suited to doing this task", or "the me of tomorrow will wake up fresh and be able to do the dishes first thing in the morning" or "the me who's watched this very video will be better equipped to tackle my procrastination habits". That's why there's always that kind of post on these types of videos. The problem is that that "you" isn't any better suited to making yourself do it than you are right now. It's an illusion, a lie, an excuse, an escape. What eventually happens that gets you up, is that the consequence of not doing it, in a certain present moment, has grown to a point that gives you the activation energy required to start the task. I use self-love to combat this. I've been procrastinating with a lot of Ted Talks lately and one of them said, "to know your life purpose you must know who you are, what you do, who you do it for, what they need from you and your doing of it and how it changes them" My answers were "my name, nothing, myself, a life and I'm entropy as a result of my actions or failure to act." Like many others who answered with this kind of depressing shit, I didn't know how to turn it into motivation at first but then I changed the answer "myself" to my "future self" and I realised how much I cared about my future self's happiness. More than anything, really. More than I feel right now. My future self's happiness that is brought about by my present self's actions is experience-able before it occurs. The same way that you feel happy imagining how someone you care about is going to feel when you give them the gift you're currently shopping for. I want to speak perfect Japanese, wonderful fluent, native sounding Japanese. It's very difficult to achieve and it requires me to go right now and spend time in the present moment trying to do something using that language. atm I'm supposed to go and read some manga. But I won't, or I wasn't going to, because I didn't want to do any hard work in the present moment. Instead I decided to leave it up to a later "me" who will feel like doing it. He never will. The more detached, in time, your future self from your current self is, the less of a shit you give about him or her. Except, he or she is you and you should care, you must care. Chronic procrastinators like me, I think we care way too much about our immediate gratification, our present selves, and have a strong disconnection to our futures. I believe the most wonderful aspect of humankind is our gift-giving and charitable nature. It is perhaps what has stimulated our evolution so effectively. We share knowledge, wealth, information; we teach, we save. We're the kind of creature that can stop out of pure mercy and help another wounded animal. We can be so kind and so good and yet not to ourselves, our future selves. When you're next procrastinating a task, stop and imagine your poor future self. The you ten minutes from now who'll have to start, feeling no better after that smoke or song, the you days, a month or a year from now who'll feel regret and sorrow over wasting his/her time. Why do you want to make him/her, you, yourself suffer like that? If someone were to beg you the way you beg yourself (the way I beg myself) to get in shape, wouldn't you give it to them out of mercy or just to see them smile? Give that smile to yourself a year from now, when you're looking into the mirror and like what you see. You're an adult (not all of you, I know, but you will be), and your own parent now. It is hard, but everyday can be Christmas

[@acchaladka]

I got more from your little essay here than what the 20 year-old in the video said.

[@yukito4200]

I really hope that you can use it to improve your life.

[@sabz4321]

+紫原龍壱 comment of the year award goes to you sir. thank you.

[@izz5946]

... wow this is awesome, bery basic but damm never ever saw it this why, simplicity at its best thanks alot you may have changed my life. i hope so, thanks for taking the time to comment here, i was gonna pass this one, it just seemed so long, and i usually dont cause my comments are pretty long as you can see but i saw your and thought this person beat me look at his long comment i thought only i go the extra mile, anyway i was gonna come back later to read it another time hence procrastination LoL but thought this has got to be good, ill read it patiently now.. and im so glad i did, thanks a million i gotta get something to remind me of this so i use your theory all the time.. funny how its always said we dont live in the present and i know what they mean but on another angle we do live in the present always avoiding pushing things back or forward. just to enjoy the present moment that we cant enjoy because were to busy again pushing things back or forward LoL kinda like a little twilight zone.. theres gotta be an easier way. and you my friend found one of those keys. "do it now for the love of the future you"..!!!! dont roll the s#!t down hill for future you to deal with it. again you time to comment is gonna do wonders for my life thanks, i think its easy to re-use this theory and continuously find motivation with it.. even if it gets old.. 👍

[@yukito4200]

You're most welcome friend, thanks for reading and commenting back. I have something even better for you if this caught your interest. waitbutwhy.com/2013/10/why-procrastinators-procrastinate.html I found this a few days after I made that post and I think it's great. The explanations are simple and basic yet clear and profound. I do hope you find it as useful as I have.

[@PD90900]

I'm just going to watch this... And then do my homework

[@TheMsCroft]

My exams start tomorrow, WHY AM I HERE

[@ChiquitaSpeaks]

It took me 3 months to finally watch this video. I just kept it in my open tabs.

[@georgejansen4089]

The irony here is that he didn't seem that prepared to give this presentation, probably procrastinated too much.

[@oshunvenus]

hehe... ohh the irony!!!

[@orbitchewinggum2101]

SO TRUE

[@orbitchewinggum2101]

BUT THIs is the best procrastination explanation and video I've ever come across so he's defo a procrastinator but definitely extremely smart only 20 there as well

[@violethana3943]

No, it's because he has ADHD and he is nervous.

[@blaaahhh]

Haha

[@Snakebloke]

...i'll watch the rest of this tomorrow, when i'm in the zone.

[@SGProductions87]

I was procrastinating whilst watching this video.

[@Yasumi_Hoshikawa]

someone procrastinated replacing the batteries on that remote.

[@lycoris111]

I have a calculus test tomorrow and here I am procrastinating by watching a TED Talk explaining procrastination. Oh the irony.

[@Vilakazi]

***** I bet he failed his calculus test.

[@aidanh1137]

Why is every single comment on this video is a clever pun or witty joke about procrastination? I really liked this talk. I think it draws a very clear parallel to the "Run for your life! At a comfortable pace, and not too far" talk by James O'Keefe: we shouldn't be such enormous perfectionists. This idea that only "perfect" work, or cardiovascular exercise, is of value is actually dragging many people down, limiting their potential. By taking things a bit easier, but being more persistent, we will accomplish much more. "Slow and steady wins the race" holds true, it seems, on a very broad metaphorical level.

[@ForViewingOnly]

I think Vik was procrastinating with Angry Birds in the days leading up to thisTEDx talk, and he ended up putting his speech on his iPhone rather than rehearsing it.

[@DrGeneralkumar82]

That is exactly what I was thinking. :-) Either way, his words are true enough.. regardless of whether or not he practices what he preaches. After all he never said he doesn't procrastinate lol.

[@kristinaholtrop1005]

I'm watching this video while I haven't done homework all day...

[@MrHugosantos1982]

"Don't leave for tomorrow, what you can do today." - (Portuguese saying) My version: "Don't leave for tomorrow, what you can ONLY do today!"

[@IFibreOpticI]

Only if it's worth doing and you gain satisfaction from doing it...otherwise why do it? What happens if you do it, question why you do it, there are many reasons as to why procrastination occurs that this video does not mention.

[@brandozd]

portuguese saying? that's an all over the world saying bro

[@MrHugosantos1982]

666bleu I never left this place and I "live under a rock", so... no wonder my knowledge is extremely limited...

[@XTen1000DaysX]

do today so you can be stronger tomorrow

[@QuashindaGodboltJDDZRTD]

Omg!!! This describes me to perfection!!! My procrastination is definitely chronic. I am just glad that someone has explained it. People think I am crazy, and sometimes so do I! Thank you so much for this presentation!i am still amazed that you described me so exact!!! Wow!!!

[@chubbatheBOSS]

He is just so adorable. And that accent 😍😍

[@Voltaic314]

I'm going through this inner struggle with myself where I've realized how much of a piece of crap that I am and how much better I possibly could be. not just with procrastination, but with everything, after I conquered my depression (or at least got it under control), I thought my life was going to be fine and dandy, but it isn't. I'm still a very negative person and I frequently judge other people, even my friends family and girlfriend. going back to productivity, I am not nearly as productive as i'd like to be. Right now i'm in college and because of my lack of motivation and bad habits, I've put myself in a situation where now I can't fail ANY of my classes this semester or I lose ALL of my financial aid + no possibility for student loans. I'd love to be one of those people that can be happy, healthy, and get up at 3 am and force myself to study until my brain explodes without distractions. i'd love to be one of those people that smiles at customers and can be the best employee in the facility. etc etc but no matter what i do, I can't force myself to become this incredible person that i know i could be. just thinking about it is so over-whelming and I have no idea where to begin. I thought binge watching these motivational speeches would help me but its only made me realize how much work I have to do with myself. some would argue that i'm trying too hard to be someone i'm not, and others would argue that I've made up this fantasy that if I somehow became this person, all of my problems would melt away. I think both may be true but the bottom line is, I'll never be as successful as I want to be in my life until I get out of this cocoon that I've put myself into.

[@yasserykifuku8910]

well aren't we all trynna overcome our inner selves ...m bt take it from a guy in the same situation right this minute i thnk if you like write mantras and try to go with them it'll help..it dd help me fo a while b4 i jumped back to that same depression only fo different reasons this time ...so to break the loop you gotts to first acknowledge that no matter wat you do you might return to that same point at some time but if you treat it like a reorganisation point it's much easier...i noe its not that simple but i also noe that i have the mental strength to start somewhere and that i have ppo who will support me in my hardtimes so u too should b able to at least start somewhere..

[@mariana4gymnastics]

Same here… I feel as though the depressive years have drained me of my motivation for a healthy life in every aspect. As if I've now forgotten how to be. I'm stuck procrastinating doing things I used to love and i feel myself burning up under alarms set for 2am to try and memorize shit for an exam that very day. but your comment hit home, so i'm hoping you're doing well… and i'm sure you have a lot of people rooting for you. You got this. all the best (from a stranger).

[@twilight0623]

It's amazing how many people like to complain and criticize (many comments below) someone just giving friendly advice. Anyway, I have been a procrastinator my whole life, and this is the first time someone put it into perspective, that fear can override logic and keep you from doing things you have to. I think following his tips will greatly help me get more things done. It is quite an accomplishment to have founded 3 companies by the age of 20, despite having medical conditions and ADHD (which is why I did not find it annoying that he kept referring to his phone often.) The companies he founded: Good Books: non-profit enterprise which aims to give the gift of education to orphanages overseas, by selling donated educational resources in Australia. One Can Grow: One Can Grow is a values-based organization which aims to educate High School students about Micro-finance and social entrepreneurship. Noble Online: Noble Online is a marketing company focusing on digital marketing implementation and strategy consultation. I wonder how much the complainers accomplished by the time they were 20? Oh, that's right, they were too busy complaining!

[@thepianoplayer416]

There are people like Mozart who are known to procrastinate but yet the very last minute their flash of inspiration come and they get the work done brilliantly. There were operas Mozart had to write. He got all the melodies in his head and never got around to writing them down until before the opening night.

[@Adadhable]

yes, but Mozart was also an extremely brilliant one-in-a-trillion fucking genius. His brilliance is unmatchable to majority of us, so we can't really compare him to us. Nobody here (including you and me) can do that. Hell, if I were brilliant as Mozart I wouldn't give a shit and procrastinate so much

[@ibRebecca]

I can do that :P

[@JonathanCastillo-wg7yk]

This is such a great video to procrastinate to!

[@archangel2428]

Just what I needed right now!!!! Am motivated already. Just a week to go for my semester exams and am fooling around...sleeping and watching tv. This video made me understand now. Thanks Tedx and Vik Nithy. !

[@Maren617]

Much more helpful than many other talks about this - wish he could have gone into more detail.

[@leebrian]

Don't procrastinate again by watching this video, remind yourself with his steps (7:31): Plan Goals Plan Time Plan Resources Plan Process Plan for Distractions Plan for Failure

[@jenniferdunston9360]

Instead of procrastinating by scrolling down for so long and checking your comment relevant, its better worth watch the video!

[@Aritul]

Thank you!

[@pinkwednesdaesxo]

literally using this video to procrastinate....

[@christineleblanc9281]

The knowledge this young man has as well as the insight to himself resonates with me despite being 44 and female. The one thing I might point out is that he is often looking to his notes; perhaps out of a feeling of nervousness or not being as tight with his presentation as he could be. I have experienced both - even after 2 courses on public speaking. I think he did well and I have learned that you can learn from anyone, any age!

[@DannyLou03]

Procrastination = having this video saved in Watch Later when it originally posted,.. and watching it today.

[@nfijef]

One of the most down to earth practical Ted vids. Thank you:)

[@superdudeman666]

Here's a fun drinking game: search for ANY video about procrastination on KZbin and look at the comments. For every comment you find that is a variation of "LOL I'm procrastinating by watching this LULZ the IRONING!!", take a drink.

[@ANDUAN93]

Hi, just died from alcohol poisoning.

[@MrChickenstalker]

Albert Anderson yup, I guess then you were typing that while you were dead

[@gorillagal123]

This brief, cut to the chase process, nails it. I struggle each day with major Procrastination /ADHD, and as Vik called it, "Chronic debilitating addiction to procrastination." Vik, Thank you!

[@peterg3729]

This video has been at the top of my watch list for 6 months

[@shreyashsule3632]

Let me save these one to "Watch later" playlist Real Quick

[@melaniev1296]

I'm watching a video about procrastination while I procrastinate (and of course no one is surprised)

[@gilsukim]

Okay, will plan goals, time, resources, process, for distractions, and for failure. Thanks, Vik.

[@Yodasia]

Holy shit! Thank you so much for this video. You made all of these thoughts I had in my head so clear. I knew that the solution to my procrastination was to plan things but I never seemed to do it right. I knew that it must have been something to do with the more primitive parts of the brain because like you said, the lazy part always convinced me to do the things that were easier and wait for that perfect moment that never came. That made my grades in the school suffer and also my phsyical shape. I'm so motivated now! And the fact that you started not 1 but 3 companies is motivating me even more. So bad that I didn't find this video before. Everyone should see it at least once. Thank you once again!

[@roshnisrinivasan]

im procasting right now and im going to get back to work after this... thanks Vik

[@Dylan13Henry]

great presentation! ... if only i came across it earlier... time to learn a course and write my mid term in 12 hours ahhhh

[@iamgama]

i literally clapped after the talk. Answered so many questions. Brilliant! :)

[@draganstranjina8881]

Vik Nithy have translated procrastination of my Mind into sounding Words!Brilliant, not only investigation but solution as well, too! This young scientist, on top of that, makes everything very entertaining!

[@zubidubi1298]

I am saving it. Will watch it tomorrow.

[@music4life2363]

when he says "I would put off studying until the night before" i'm just like lol man I put it off 5 minutes before the test if I even studied at all. which thinking back is a bad idea I could have probably done so much better...

[@ambermac77]

The description of what happens in the brain is brilliant!! Thank you!

[@missbecky911]

Wow! This kid is my hero! He delivers his presentation well, very likeable, funny, and obviously very passionate about his field. I absolutely dread presentations in my college classroom but if he can do it so can I!

[@CraftyFoxe]

Quite informative and great into understanding the human mind

[@tsundereshark5945]

I shoud be studying right now but I've found a video of Chuck Norris stopping a chainsaw bare handed

[@LeoBurca]

Even though there were some small technical problems I think this TED talk was AWESOME! Now get out there and be productive and then, but only then, reward yourself!

[@donbarracuda546]

A lot of wisdom in this young man's presentation. A lot of people, like myself, are here because they are putting off something they should be doing now. However, this is sorta positive because we are trying to find a lasting solution to the problem altogether. So this is good irony, I guess.

[@oliabc4]

I'll watch this later

[@BlackXxScopez]

I'm using this to procrastinate ;_;

[@illssolution5720]

Hysterical! A speech on procrastination... that the speaker is not prepared for! Ha! The outline of material IS correct! Emotional Visualization of the PLAN = What's in it FOR me? AND makes the task familiar, known, what and how!

[@Andrewlohbihler]

Some day I will get around to making good use of these ideas.

[@lextrux]

fun fact, I'm watching this because I should go to bed but don't want to xD oh the irony :p

[@speaktruth9843]

wow, i never thought of that... staying up late is procrastination also.

[@takukuzumoritoarimoto7329]

I'm supposed to be writing an essay that's due in a couple of hours. I still haven't started.

[@chrisle360bludgeon]

Takuku Zumoritoarimoto Go gogogogogogo

[@sagarchox6712]

There should be one movie named 'Procrastinator', something like Terminator, Predator, interstellar.

[@humairairfan5957]

excellent, very direct and clear headed approach

[@shashanksingh1102]

I shall definitely watch this video tomorrow! :D Procrastinators are probably the most..............

[@AlexPlamadeala1]

About to make a video on procrastinating & I'm here

[@naj640]

lol

[@Jalek24]

Fear, Spear, no more beer.

[@spiritfired]

Wow. SPOT ON.

[@stellaconcepts]

Finally got around to watching this video.

[@drancisdrake]

Thumbs up! Interesting take on: basically procrastination is fear. Thanks for the video!

[@dadukabell]

i took a 5 minute you tube break and it recommended me this video

[@kaylafragman6825]

Who else is procrastinating by watching this video?

[@Person930]

This has been on my watch later list for over a year

[@miloligons25]

Yo Vik thanks for that priceless information you deserve a honorable applause.......

[@petermetcalfe6722]

Procrastination is a major problem for me but sadly this video did not help.

[@donbarracuda546]

You have to apply knowledge to make it work for you. There is no solution in this world that would magically make you better. You have to pull your weight. This is not like being sick - but about weak will. Nobody can strengthen your will but you.

[@petermetcalfe6722]

Don Barracuda Actually it's a mental illness.

[@iishuffle28]

Peter Metcalfe Or you could be experiencing a symptom of ADD. Because it's so subtle, and not attention grabbing like ADHD, many kids go undiagnosed into adulthood when your coping mechanisms can't keep up anymore. Impulsivity and intense procrastination tend to be some of these symptoms.. Just a thought.

[@petermetcalfe6722]

iishuffle28 I have seen a list of symptoms of ADD and I have most of them so it is quite likely that's what I have. I went to the doctor last year and he just said they don't have to facilities for that sort of thing. I am 57 now and have suffered with it for as far back as I can remember. Thanks for your kind post.

[@irgendwerjoker]

iishuffle28 I also think I might have ADD, but I'll check the symptons tomorrow...

[@SuperNdella]

I'm procrastinating to this video -_-

[@linadog586]

SAMMEEEE

[@kgxgen2062]

Well if you've actually learned something new from this video and changes for the better in the future, then you were not procrastinating :)

[@hardaningam8967]

Yuph. Me too..

[@fatihcelikbas3255]

It really matches with the real life. During the presentation everything he said has echoed before in my head when i slipped into procrastination Should watch it again with a notebook in my hands

[@gateshead1000]

brilliant talk! I would love for this to have been understood when I was a child, by teachers with the training needed to ID this in schools and train kids (and adults) to be aware of it and better still, learn to live with it and beat it.

[@HadesLordofDeath]

I should be doing an essay right now and studying for a final.

[@1971SuperLead]

We procrastinate because deep within us we know that personal goals are empty pursuits. Stop thinking about what you want, and go make someone else's life a bit better. Be of service. There's nothing else to do.

[@skyj5529]

Agree!

[@shaka1987]

That[ s one of the best and accurate definition I haver ever read.

[@movement2contact]

Because other's goals DO matter...?

[@skyj5529]

movement2contact wonderful question. But no. Because the other person is in need of something in the struggle of the soul against heartbreak and despair.

[@1971SuperLead]

movement2contact Every human being has an innate need, that if not met causes great emotional pain. That need is simply to be needed. Yes, it's ironic. A person who feels unneeded will suffer from a sense of worthlessness. There is nothing more emotionally painful than a sense of worthlessness. Selfish goals are disheartening, because no one needs selfish people. Selfish people are useless. So when we are selfish, we are not being useful. What is not useful is unneeded. What is unneeded is worthless. That's why, when we take care of the people we truly love, we feel good. The more loved ones that need us, the better we feel. I have 10 cats that are all rescued cats. While I might sometimes grumble about having to clean up after them, there is a satisfaction I get from knowing these cats are enjoying life because of my selfless services. The satisfaction comes from being important. Important to them at least. We all want to feel important. We want to feel we matter. Selfish goals will never do that for us. In fact, it does the opposite, because selfish people are not important. No one needs them. They are but a blight on society. They are worse than worthless. They are a problem. Self concern quickly leads to depression. It becomes a vicious circle, because as our selfishness makes us feel depressed, we then start to concentrate on ourselves, wondering what we need, wondering what's wrong with us, wondering what we need. Those concerns are selfish, and so the problem just grows. It rarely dawns of the person that the only reason they are depressed is because they selfishly keep thinking about what's wrong with them.

[@MB-qm2re]

Excellent! This is one of the rare times that the talk really affected me in making me think differently...

[@flipoya]

This is totally me , thank u for the solutions !

[@FocusReborn44]

I'll watch this video later.

[@yosoyelsonido]

He clearly procrastinated on preparing for his talk

[@lazykid9167]

Youre on the top Five of my best youtube-ever-videos dude. Amazing content. WOW!! Thank you friend.

[@ronszera9749]

i need to watch this over and over

[@EricJones]

Is it bad that I added this to "Watch later" instead of watching it now?

[@StarRoseAngelic]

Eric Jones I opened this in a tab and didn't watch it until the next day :/

[@lauranovak6915]

Eric Jones I do that with every video! Maybe I just have a short attention span.

[@Ovenlord3]

Sadly I'm procrastinating by watching Ted.

[@HankWank]

You sir, are a gentleman and a scholar. Thank you.

[@edexnorth123]

Watching this video is not a *procrastination* but the action you take after the watching event finish does.