TED Talk: Inside the Mind of a Master Procrastinator
Available at https://youtu.be/arj7oStGLkU or just youtube/google “TED Talk Master Procrastinator”
1. Would you consider yourself to be a procrastinator? Why or why
not? Explain your answer.
2. The “instant gratification monkey” lives entirely in the __________
moment, he has ________________________ of the past, no
knowledge of the future, and he only cares about two things:
_____________ and _____________.
a. What are some characteristics of the “rational decision-maker”? List them.
b. The fun you have in the “dark playground” isn’t actually fun because it’s
completely __________________, and the air is filled with ______________,
_____________, ________________, _________________________—all
procrastinator feelings.
c. The “panic monster” is ________________ most of the time, but he suddenly
wakes up anytime a _________________ gets too close or there’s a danger of
public embarrassment, a career disaster, or some other ______________
_________________________.
d. Did you recognize the “instant gratification monkey”, “rational decision-maker”
and/or “panic monster” in yourself at all? If so, give examples to support your
answer.
3. When there’s deadlines, the effects of procrastination are
____________________ to the ____________________
because the “panic monster” gets involved.
4. The long-term kind of procrastination is much less visible
and much less talked about than the funnier, short-term
deadline-based kind. It’s usually suffered _____________
and _________________. And it can be the source of a
huge amount of long-term _____________________ and
________________.
TED Talk Answer Keys
TED Talk – Inside the Mind of a Master Procrastinator
1. answers will vary
2. present; no memory; easy; fun
a. visualize the future, see the big picture, make long-term plans, do what makes sense to be
doing right now
b. unearned; guilt; dread; anxiety; self-hatred
c. dormant; deadline; scary consequence
d. answers will vary
3. contained; short-term
4. quietly; privately; unhappiness; regrets