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Discovering The Power Of Procrastination

PITTSBURGH (NewsRadio1020 KDKA) - We've all done it - putting off that chore until later or finishing that work assignment tomorrow.

Procrastination is something everyone experiences, but the trick is how you deal with it.

New York Times Bestselling Author Steve McClatchy explains in his book, "Decided: Work Smarter, Reduce Your Stress and Lead by Example," the pros and cons of procrastination.

He joined Mangino and Shelley on the KDKA Afternoon News to break it all down.

Shelley Admits to always procrastinating when it comes to laundry, the washing, folding and putting away clothes is just too much at one time. She says she does feel a great sense of accomplishment once it's done, but just finding the motivation to do it is hard sometimes. McClatchy was able to explain to her why that was the case.

"Typically we procrastinate as Shelley mentioned, tasks we don't like and we have no energy to do, we don't like well, procrastination proves the energy," McClatchy explains, "so as we get closer to the deadline we get scared and that fear releases adrenaline and the adrenaline contains pain killers and that energy is nice."

While that is the main benefit of procrastinating, there are a few others that people need to be aware of. If you wait until the last minute you will be less likely to allow other distractions take over your focus while you are working on your current project.

The third and final benefit, being able to blame poor quality on the lack of time you had to complete the task.

Now don't take the idea of procrastinating to heart because as McClatchy explains there are some downsides.

"You're not in control and if something else pops up, another priority, pops up you can't tend to it you've left yourself no choices which can trigger anger, resentment, frustration," McClatchy says.

Keeping a "to-do" list is a form of procrastination. By adding things to the list to do later we create a sense of adrenaline and endorphins once we get to check off something on that list leading to a greater feeling of reward. Even a task like going to the gym can be broken down using McClatchy's theory.

"It's all about the momentum of the endorphins, the problem with the gym is there is nothing to get you there, but boy do you feel great on the way back," McClatchy says, "you can put endorphins in your body other people can't, but other people can put adrenaline in your body through fear."

You can earn endorphins through a decision you make - listen to the whole interview with Steve McClatchy here now and see how you can always remain in control of your endorphins.

Tune into Mangino and Shelley Duffy on the Afternoon News weekdays 3-7 PM on NewsRadio 1020 KDKA.

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