Procrastination and Personality
Weaknesses in the Four Temperaments that Cause People to Delay
Jun 9, 2009
Weaknesses in a person’s personality or temperament bring insight into why an individual postpones work and what motivates that individual to complete tasks. According to a study on procrastination, by University of Calgary Professor Steele, procrastination has become an increased problem now impacting more than 25% of the American public.
One person stalls because she hates to work alone, another postpones working because he fears working in a group, while another person delays due lack of control. People have different reasons for stalling on projects that are often tied to their disposition. Four key temperaments reveal weaknesses and strengths associated with each temperament type. Understanding how a person is wired leads to discovering the best ways to overcome procrastination and effectively tackle tasks.
Sanguines Procrastinate When Tasks are Isolated or Too Mundane
A popular, friendly, talkative sanguine seeks fun and dislikes mundane tasks or working alone. Procrastination is often tied to the thought, “This isn’t fun.” To overcome this tendency a sanguine can ask a friend to help and thus turn a task into an enjoyable social activity. Sanguine people are impulsive and like to be praised. This person may volunteer for anything that sounds fun, but stall after discovering the drudgery of the task.
It helps for a Sanguine to stop and think about the work involved before making commitments. Other people can motivate the sanguine person with praise and outward expressions of gratitude. The impulsiveness can also lead to forgetfulness, so it’s good to learn to make lists that can't be misplaced, such as on a computer or cell phone.
Powerful Cholerics Procrastinate Due to Lack of Control
Powerful cholerics are goal driven, doers, and natural leaders who want control. This is a driven person who may not be able to complete projects because of a tendency to over-commit. They avoid tasks where someone else is in control. This person needs to let go of control, view the task as a goal, and support the leaders.
Being reasonable about accepting new obligations eliminates over-commitment problems. Other people can motivate the choleric person by giving the individual more control and letting the person lead others in completing a project. This individual likes recognition for accomplishments so another motivator is to acknowledge the person's hard work and results.
Melancholic People Delay Due to Perfectionist Tendencies
Perfect melancholy people are sensitive to needs of others and strive for perfection, but fear failure. They procrastinate when it appears their efforts won’t be perfect enough. This person analyzes a situation, thinks before agreeing to perform a task, and thus usually fulfills all obligations.
To overcome fear and doubt, the individual should set lower standards and accept less than perfect results. Instead of fearing failure, motivation can come from focusing on how the task will benefit someone. Self-motivation can come from creating a logical plan to accomplish the goal. To motivate the individual, remind the person of past successes and boost confidence with pep talks.
Phlegmatics Avoid Work
An easy-going phlegmatic likes to relax, but tends to avoid whatever appears to be work or a project that seems too complex or overwhelming. This individual has a good sense of humor, needs to feel respected and desires peace.
It’s easier for this person to set rewards and break the larger projects into smaller steps to do one part at a time. Understanding consequences, especially ones that cause discord, can be a strong motivation. Finding a reason to laugh while working makes the task more pleasant and easier to tackle. Motivate such a person with praise, respectfully acknowledging the contributions, and promises of rest.
Motivate According to Temperament
When a delay sets in, check the core response to find the personality trait underlying the problem and then counter it with the appropriate motivation. Knowing the motivators and strengths of different personalities helps a person move past procrastination and work more effectively as well as inspire others to complete projects.
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