Tuesday, May 28, 1996
Procrastination will turn off employers who want efficiency,
self-discipline
Whether you are a graduate student writing a thesis on “the
universal forces that drive markets and shape demographic shifts,”
or a faculty member planning to publish a health report on a recent
medical discovery for the cure of AIDS, procrastination has lifted
its ugly head at one time or another during your lifetime.
Procrastination has no limitations or restrictions. And,
according to Dr. Jeffrey P. Kalm, a New York psychiatrist,
“Procrastination is epidemic. The number of people who finish
projects three weeks ahead of time you can count on one hand.”
With the Spring 1996 quarter coming to an end, finals are
approaching with other commitments. Thus, I suspect many of you are
experiencing psychological bouts of procrastination. Granted, there
is a certain degree of psychological thrill derived from the
last-minute production of projects or performance on exams, but the
overall implication of procrastination is a detriment to your
careers and academic advancement.
Self-promoted learning and performance is not a short-term
process, but rather an interactive learning process through various
practical and communication channels. For example, corporate
America’s recent public finance policy supports my view. Most
recently, Morgan Stanley & Co. and Intel Corp. financed a
software development project for inner city high schools at
approximately $200,000 to $500,000. At issue is corporate America’s
concern over the fact that not enough graduates are produced with
modern-day business skills. What are those modern-day business
skills? A well-diversified, technologically proficient employee
group that can transfer real-world skills without much cost and
investment.
In today’s dynamic, competitive marketplace, companies are
aggressively restructuring and budgeting to adapt and respond to
hard-earned revenues. Companies are constantly attempting to outbid
and outmaneuver their competitors. Thus, they have confronted and
entered into a “corporate war zone” where minimizing costs and
maximizing efficiency has become essential in sustaining long-term
financial prosperity and survival.
In lieu of this fact and many supporting precedents, corporate
America has focused its downsizing and restructuring efforts on its
people. Its employees, who are the foundation and innovative force
of the company, have become the focus of cost-reducing strategies.
One of the many skills needed to overcome this destructive tornado
of force and gravity is effective time management skills.
As firms downsize and allocate broader responsibilities to their
respective employees, the working world has become much more
compatible to the overall experience gained at UCLA.
Premeditated restructuring and downsizing efforts have taken
center stage as a premier device in coping with increased
competition and shrinking profit margins. As such, many high
schoolers and undergraduates have benefited from corporate
sponsored internships, field trips, computersimulated jobs and
group projects. This trend is growing rapidly, and furthermore, the
design and thought process behind it is derived from the ideal of
promoting and developing a modern-day work force.
The work force should be one that can instantly contribute to a
company’s performance and manage numerous tasks simultaneously and
effectively  a real-world scenario that many of you are
confronting presently at UCLA. You are faced with multiple
responsibilities and pressuring deadlines which can effect your
health, overall state-of-mind, and future endeavors.
In the upcoming days and weeks, many UCLA students will be
tested on their time management skills: A real world situation much
like what is expected of them in corporate America. At the
Mercedes-Benz Credit Corp. Â the U.S. finance unit of Daimler
Benz  many employees have quit from their full-time
management positions because they could not cope with the newly
introduced, fast-paced, take-charge atmosphere. The Mercedes-Benz
Credit Corp. delegated additional responsibilities and leadership
positions to its “working people” in an effort to add value for its
shareholders. Everything changed radically at the office. Teams
were compiled and team-members were given complete authority to
execute decisions. Private offices gave way to conference rooms.
Cubicles were changed to clusters of desks. Networks were created
to accelerate innovativeness and decisions. The adjustments were
traumatic for many people. Those that successfully sustained a
balance between their “new” careers and personal lives, witnessed
promotions and the unexpected. And, those professionals who
couldn’t effectively manage their careers and personal lives,
simultaneously, became disappointed and dejected as they looked
elsewhere.
For those critics who cite huge gaps between what is experienced
at UCLA and the “real world,” it is time for you to reconsider your
viewpoint. True, there is a difference. But, that difference is
becoming increasingly small as corporate America is getting
involved in many ways. Furthermore, university faculty members and
officials are also becoming increasingly conscience in designing
compatible lessons and opportunities. Therefore, effective time
management skills is an integral component of survival and success
in today’s ruthless work environment. It can be practiced and
developed while attending UCLA.
A self-disciplined professional who manages multiple tasks
effectively and impressively is extremely valuable to a company’s
bottom line and business growth. And, according to an article
published by James Flanigan, a senior business reporter with the
Los Angeles Times, employees who attach themselves to
income-generating divisions of a company will ultimately benefit
from reduced risk of transfers, layoffs or terminations. These
employees will experience job stability and professional
growth.
Presently, psychologists and other experts have not discovered
what biological factors contribute to the problem of
procrastination. However, I believe I know the answer. When a
person lacks relevant skills, self-discipline and knowledge, there
is a tendency to procrastinate instead of immediately occupying
yourself into the task at hand. S/he tends to conscientiously stall
and delay the process until a deadline has approached. At that
time, her health and performance is jeopardized at the expense of
an addictive, recurring problem. Whether she is involved in her
professional career or academic studies, this inhibiting habit can
ruin revolving performance and personal reputation and
advancement.
In the case of a UCLA undergraduate student, if she
procrastinates in the upcoming weeks, her grades might suffer at
the expense of rollerblading in the beautiful Southern California
weather. Further, if she is considering post undergraduate studies
or a career in academics, her reputation can be tainted due to
grades and performance trends that don’t meet industry standards.
With this in mind, future UCLA graduates can expect, comparably,
more strenuous careers than a decade ago. Conceivably, they will
work longer hours with many more challenging decisions. It is a
situation where effective time management skills and
self-discipline will carry you a long way.
In the upcoming weeks, many of you will not only suffer a
personal siege of procrastination, but also a test of character as
you will be challenged with multiple responsibilities and strict
deadlines. What signs depict a procrastinator? Typically,
procrastinators are identified through an endless listing of daily
chores, coffee drinking or multiple breaks, ineffective time
management, and disorganized work environments. As such, they
become overwhelmed by the circumstances and falter into last minute
production. It is a bad habit that can be corrected. But, the more
you procrastinate, the harder it is to cure it. Here are some
suggestions:
* If you have a long to-do list, break it down and complete the
easiest task first. Taking this bite-size pieces approach will
provide you with additional energy and confidence. It will make a
long list of tedious, cumbersome responsibilities into a short,
manageable project. You’ll gain confidence and energy throughout
the course of the day.
* Appropriate specific time slots for each item on your to-do
list. And, as the popular saying goes, just do it.
* Schedule your activities in accordance to your personal
preference and taste. For example, if you are most energized in the
mornings, do your studies in the morning and take a break in the
afternoon to restart your engine and get the most out of your day.
That break can be a half hour cardiovascular workout or some other
form of activity which stimulates your physical and mental
state-of-mind.
Even though I have portrayed procrastination as this evil,
detrimental creature, procrastination can be good. It depends on
the situation and your character. Some people perform better under
pressure. Some circumstances require last-minute production. Use
your judgment and good luck.
Banayan is a class of 1994 alumnus.
A self-disciplined professional who manages multiple tasks
effectively and impressively is extremely valuable to a company’s
bottom line…
When a person lacks relevant skills, self-discipline and
knowledge, there is a tendency to procrastinate … immediately
occupying yourself into the task at hand.