On Inactivity: Analyzing the Source of Procrastination
Over the years, much like the rest of you, I have encountered countless trials and tribulations that have either delayed my ambitions, or negated them entirely. Despite the unforeseen obstacles that thwarted my initial efforts, much like the rest of us, I managed to progress in some way. When I use the term progress in its verbal form, I do not mean it in its colloquial sense. Rather than perseverance that translates to success, I am attempting to convey the skeletal essence of the word - active and intentional behavior to avoid immobility. After having abandoned the notion that progress is only made when someone continues to prosper, I began to recognize the key aspect in my life that was lacking - action. Being somewhat of a ruminator (euphemism at its finest), I often found myself stuck within the confines of my own exhaustible cranium, worrying repeatedly about insignificant ideas via syllogistic reasoning errors. Ironically, I attempted to make decisions and conclusions about things without adequate evidence (sometimes without any), often producing results that were the byproduct of emotional tirades and maudlin stupors. Somewhat anti-scientific, one may be inclined to say. Herein lies the second layer of irony - had I appealed to my own interests and meager knowledge, I would have been able to derive more meaning and wisdom in one analysis than in a year's worth of obsession. By this of course I refer to the literal meaning of the word progress, and its etymological origins. Fashioned from the beautiful Latin tongue, its constituents are pro- (a preposition which here means "forward" or "ahead") and gressum (the fourth principal part of the verb -gressi, which means to walk or move). In short, progressum directly translates to "something having gone/moved forward". As long as one is not stagnant and inactive, they are by definition progressing. This may be a bit reductionist and perhaps even laughable by virtue of its apparent pseudo-profound simplicity, but neglecting its transformative power can be equally as frivolous.
One could argue quite justifiably that no one can truly ever be stationary in life, because even willful indecision renders results and manifests consequences. In short, choosing to not act is in itself an action. Here is my best attempt at making a rebuttal to this obvious elephant in the room. Although that it is entirely valid, there remains a remarkable distinction between progression with intention, and accidental movement. It is reasonable to propose that someone would have a better chance of reaching their desired goals if they measure and tailor their behavior. It is highly unlikely that someone would achieve that with the same efficiency or satisfaction, if they resorted to desultory indifference.
Here is a relevant and ubiquitous real-world application of this framework; procrastination in academics. It is my position that the proliferation of irresponsibility in institutions of higher learning is due to one rife misinterpretation- the reasoning that leads to procrastination. I used to make the same fundamental error, and made menacing noises of self-pity ad nauseam. The confusion results from conflating action with success. It is as simple as that. Students often feel that they cannot bear a workload and all its implications, so they are hapless and become unproductive. If there were even the smallest trace of reconsideration, I believe a huge burden could be lifted. Nobility resides within the effort to address the work and its demands - not necessarily to complete every ounce, let alone with haste and perfection. Now, I am certainly not advocating for fecklessness or carelessness with regards to one's academic duty, nor am I ignorant of the fact that some students' lives depend upon excellence due to external forces. My point addresses those who are so fortunate that they have the luxury to adjust their intensity, should their sanity require it. If you fall under this category, remember that excessive frustration drawn from workload stress is not necessarily a predicament to which everyone can be sympathetic. There is a hint of arrogance and over-inflated sense of self-purpose, seeing that a difference in arbitrarily assigned numbers on a personal screed does not have any directly influential repercussions on the rest of society. Yet another instance to check one's value on a larger scale.
For a significant portion of my academic career, I drew much of my self-worth and motivation from academic prowess and feigning an omni-present intelligence. Although I still struggle with human pride and an innate desire for intellectual supremacy, I am earnestly and intentionally trying to rectify it. The sobriety and humility yielded from challenging one's personal beliefs about this matter is extraordinarily soothing. It forces one to question their priorities and principles at large, and almost inevitably decreases ego-centrism. So please, try re-evaluating your tasks and chores, and see if they truly are as cumbersome and worthy of public concern as you think they are.
Who am I to adjudicate on this topic?
Just another primate, like you.
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